The IB Middle Years Programme is a time in every IB Kids life that teaches them great resilience and commitment, all while getting them to question their sanity and life choices. It prompts you to wonder why you chose that particular portfolio subject, all while going through the trauma of making the mistake of doing all three sciences, tied together neatly by Extended Maths. All of this can seem very daunting at the moment, but make sure to have gratitude for the fact that it’s not the Diploma Programme, yet.
Regardless of how big of a challenge this feels like, with a little perseverance and a few tricks, it’s quite manageable to get a score of 50 or more.
Do not overlook your personal project
Even though it might not seem as important as academic subjects might, the personal project holds the same weightage as they do and should be held in the same regard, overlook it and you’ll miss out on the opportunity for an extra 7 in your arsenal. Pick your topic wisely; make sure it’s something you enjoy doing so that it seems more like a passion project and is easy to get through. Find some interesting ideas here.(hyperlink to that blog post).
P.S. If you have a bad/ inexperienced PP supervisor, switch them out on day 1. Also, if switching doesn’t work, IB Marvels have very experienced tutors to help you out.
Break down each subject by their criteria
MYP e-assessments for all subjects are organised by criteria and it is vital to understand the specific criteria for each subject and ensure your study materials align with these. Organise your notes for each subject criteria wise so that you know what each section of the test demands to avoid any surprises during the test.
Subject-Specific Tips
- Language and Literature: Practise reading comprehension, essay writing, and literary analysis. Pay attention to text structure and themes.
- Sciences: Understand scientific concepts, perform experiments, and practice data analysis and interpretation.
- Mathematics: Solve a variety of problems, understand theorems and formulas, and practise applying them in different scenarios.
- Individuals and Societies: Focus on historical events, geographical concepts, and socio-economic theories. Practice writing structured essays.
- Design: Develop design thinking skills, document your design process thoroughly, and be familiar with different design tools and techniques.
Rizz your teachers up
Your teachers play a large role in the grades you receive, especially with your portfolio, foreign language and personal project. Having a good relationship with your teacher goes a long way, helping you get better feedback and extra help.
Learn to manage your stress and stay healthy
You can’t be fully prepared for an exam if your body doesn’t cooperate, making it important to take care of yourself for the sake of your brain. Maintain a balanced diet, get regular exercise, and ensure adequate sleep, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to manage stress.