The IB tests in May are the bane of all students who take an IB class, but as long as you’re prepared and confident, achieving a decent score is easy.  

To be successful, one would want to study days before the test, not the day of, get a full night’s rest and keep a calm mind. 

All subjects have at least two different days for tests, so be aware of your scheduling and conflicts with classes. Make sure to get your prearranged absence form signed by your teachers for the tests you’re taking, and try to do whatever work is assigned during test time before you test. That way, you won’t have to make anything up, and after you’re done testing, you can feel accomplished and relaxed. 

Some things aren’t exactly how you assume they’d be when it comes to how the test actually works, so it’s important to know some of the hurdles beforehand. 

The main things to expect are a very long test with no distractions, a very cold gym and an evil answer sheet. You will not be able to use your phone (you won’t even have it on you), meaning that once you’re done, you’ll have to sit and wait out the clock. I would recommend bundling up a little before you head to your test room if you’re in the small gym because you’re in there for 1+ hours, and it gets cold when you’re sitting still. Maybe even try to bring a blanket to sleep when you’re done, because they don’t let you out until the timer concedes. 

The answer sheets can be confusing to some people, as you have to write down the question number in a weird box and then answer next to it. Make sure you tell your coordinator if you have any questions, so you don’t get marked down for a simple mistake. Keep in mind, you will not be able to use gel pens at all during the exam. Ensure that you are bringing either a black or a blue pen on test day. Remember to be on time!

All in all, the IB exams are nothing to be scared of. To ensure success and comfortability, make sure you think about what you need to do before test day.