One of the fastest ways to improve in IB Math isn’t doing hundreds of random questions—it’s studying worked examples the right way. Worked examples show you how experts think, structure solutions, and explain reasoning clearly. But to truly benefit from them, you need an active learning approach rather than passive observation.
This guide will teach you how to use RevisionDojo’s Questionbank to learn faster from worked examples, helping you absorb problem-solving strategies and master IB-style logic efficiently.
Quick Start Checklist
Before you begin your worked example sessions, make sure you:
- Have access to IB-style worked solutions for each topic.
- Use RevisionDojo’s Questionbank to organize and view step-by-step examples.
- Keep your notes and calculator ready.
- Practice explaining reasoning as you review each example.
- Reflect after every session on what you learned.
Learning from examples is most powerful when you think with them, not through them.
Step 1: Understand the Purpose of Worked Examples
Worked examples aren’t shortcuts—they’re models of expert reasoning.
They help you:
- See how each step logically follows from the previous one.
- Understand how examiners expect answers to be structured.
- Learn alternative methods and efficient techniques.
- Avoid common errors through observation.
Used properly, they make difficult topics simpler and speed up conceptual mastery.
Step 2: Start With Active Observation
When you open a worked example:
- Cover the solution initially.
- Read the question carefully and predict what the first step might be.
- Reveal the next line and compare your reasoning.
This technique trains your brain to think ahead while learning how experts structure their answers.
Step 3: Focus on the Reasoning, Not Just the Steps
Instead of memorizing each line, ask:
- Why did the author choose this method?
- What concept or formula guided this decision?
- How do these steps connect logically?
Understanding the “why” behind the solution builds flexible problem-solving skills you can apply to new situations.
Step 4: Annotate While You Study
As you follow each example:
- Write small notes explaining why steps work.
- Highlight key transitions (e.g., “used substitution,” “applied chain rule”).
- Add reminders about common mistakes.
Annotations make your review personal and reinforce comprehension through active engagement.
Step 5: Practice the “Example–Imitate–Apply” Cycle
Use this three-stage learning cycle:
- Example: Study a worked solution carefully.
- Imitate: Solve a similar problem step by step without looking.
- Apply: Try a different problem that requires adapting the same concept.
RevisionDojo’s Questionbank supports this by grouping examples with similar structure and increasing difficulty levels.
Step 6: Compare Your Work to the Example
After solving, compare your process to the worked solution:
- Did you use the same approach?
- Were your steps logical and well-organized?
- Did your explanation match the clarity of the example?
Every difference is feedback—small corrections here save big marks later.
Step 7: Learn From Variation, Not Repetition
Don’t review ten identical examples. Instead, choose examples that vary:
- Context (geometry, calculus, probability).
- Method (algebraic vs. graphical).
- Level (SL vs. HL complexity).
Varied examples help you generalize concepts and apply them creatively across question types.
Step 8: Revisit Difficult Examples After a Few Days
Memory consolidates through spaced review.
After 2–3 days, return to a challenging example:
- Try solving it again from memory.
- Check if you can explain each step aloud.
- Review what still feels unclear.
Revisiting ensures that understanding transitions from short-term recognition to long-term recall.
Step 9: Organize Examples by Concept, Not Chronology
When building your study library, group examples by concept rather than by date.
For instance:
- “Differentiation Applications”
- “Integration Techniques”
- “Probability Distributions”
RevisionDojo’s Questionbank automatically categorizes examples this way, allowing you to review logically and efficiently.
Step 10: Reflect After Every Example Set
At the end of each session, ask:
- What did I learn from these examples?
- What patterns or strategies keep appearing?
- What still confuses me?
Write short reflection notes—these become your personalized revision roadmap.
Using the Questionbank to Master Worked Examples
RevisionDojo’s Questionbank helps you:
- Access hundreds of worked IB-style examples by topic and difficulty.
- See step-by-step reasoning from examiner-standard solutions.
- Practice similar problems immediately after reviewing.
- Track progress and mark tricky examples for reattempts.
- Learn faster through guided variation and repetition.
It transforms worked examples from passive reading into active learning tools.
Common Mistakes When Using Worked Examples
Avoid these pitfalls that limit progress:
- Copying solutions mindlessly. You learn more by predicting steps first.
- Skipping the explanation lines. Understanding reasoning is the goal.
- Ignoring your own errors. Reflection turns mistakes into insight.
- Studying too many at once. Quality over quantity always wins.
- Never reattempting. Real mastery happens in the second round.
Learning efficiently means engaging actively—not watching solutions passively.
Reflection: Learning How to Learn
Worked examples are like guided tours through a problem. When you study them with attention, curiosity, and reflection, you don’t just memorize answers—you internalize methods. Over time, you’ll start thinking like the examples you once studied, turning guidance into independent skill.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many worked examples should I study per topic?
Start with 3–5 per topic, ensuring they cover different question types and difficulty levels.
2. Should I write the solutions by hand?
Yes—writing reinforces structure and slows you down enough to process reasoning.
3. When should I move from examples to full practice?
After you can solve a new question of similar type without looking at the example.
4. Can I rely on worked examples for revision?
Yes, as long as you also practice applying those methods independently.
5. What’s the best way to remember solution patterns?
Summarize each method in your own words and review them weekly.
Conclusion
Worked examples are your shortcut to deep understanding—if used intentionally. By observing, imitating, and applying, you learn to approach new IB Math problems with confidence and clarity.
Using RevisionDojo’s Questionbank, you can study examples that model expert reasoning, practice adaptively, and accelerate your path to mastery.
RevisionDojo Call to Action:
Learn faster through clarity. Use RevisionDojo’s Questionbank to study worked examples actively, master methods, and build the confidence to solve any IB Math problem.
Would you like me to continue with Article #145: “How to Review Each IB Math Topic in 15 Minutes (Quick Notes)”, same structure and no internal links?
