Introduction
Teachers can usually tell before exams even start which students are likely to perform consistently.
It’s not about intelligence or effort — it’s about how students prepare in the days before each exam week.
This article explains what IB teachers actually want students to do before each exam week — and what they wish students would stop doing.
What Teachers Want Most: Consistency
Teachers want students to:
- Follow a clear revision plan
- Avoid last-minute changes
- Keep routines stable
Sudden changes in strategy usually lead to stress and mistakes.
Finish Heavy Learning Early
Teachers consistently advise:
- No new topics right before exams
- No “panic learning”
- No rewriting entire notes
Before an exam week, students should already be consolidating, not learning.
Focus on Exam Technique, Not Content Volume
Teachers want students to:
- Practise command terms
- Review common mistakes
- Refine structure
Knowing more content won’t help if answers aren’t exam-focused.
Protect Sleep and Energy
Teachers regularly see strong students underperform because they:
- Stay up revising late
- Sacrifice sleep
- Overwork themselves
