What does it take to score full marks in the International Baccalaureate exams? This perfect scorer from Overseas Family School shares his secret…
The 2022 International Baccalaureate (IB) results are in – and this marks the eighth consecutive year that Overseas Family School (OFS) has produced perfect scorers for the exams! Six students scored the full 45 marks for their IB exams this year, with 37% of its almost 200 students (against a worldwide average of 14.4%) scoring 40 points and above.
One of the perfect scorers, Aditya Sil, described it as a “highly surreal moment” when he received his IB results. Aditya joined OFS in Grade 8, taking Higher Level (HL) Biology, Chemistry, and English Literature, as well as Standard Level (SL) Math Analysis and Approaches (Math AA), Global Politics, and Mandarin B for his IB Diploma (IB DP). With a perfect score, it’s no surprise that he got accepted into his top university – Imperial College London – to study Medical Biosciences.
We got in touch with Aditya and asked him what’s his secret to success in the IB exams. Here’s what he has to say.
1. Everything you learn is examinable
One of the most important things that Aditya would like IB candidates to know is that there are no limits on the exam papers. “You should expect every learning objective, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to be examinable,” he said. As such, he advised candidates to be highly thorough when they’re doing their revision.
2. Don’t just stick to one study or revision strategy
“The preparation process for the IB will definitely vary based on the subject you are studying, as well as your preferred method of learning,” Aditya said. The perfect scorer shared that he used different revision strategies for his exam subjects.
Aditya prefers to use memorisation to tackle content-heavy subjects like HL Biology. Using the learning tool Quizlet, he created over 900 flashcards of bite-sized Biology learning objectives. Not only does this help him memorise, but it also ensures that he fully grasps each Biology concept.
For HL Chemistry, SL Math AA, and SL Global Politics, past papers are the way to go for the perfect scorer. This is because he felt that these subjects require the candidate to demonstrate application of knowledge and concepts that they’ve learned. He also asked his teacher for feedback on his Global Politics practice essays, conducted his own research, and collaborated with his classmates to gain different perspectives that are crucial to excel in the subject.
3. Never neglect the other IB DP components
The exams may seem like the biggest hurdle to overcome in a candidate’s IB DP journey. However, it isn’t the only component they need to go through to complete their diploma. The IB DP includes Theory of Knowledge coursework, Extended Essays, Internal Assessment (IA), and Individual Oral. Each of these carries a certain weightage that will contribute to your overall grade. Aditya pointed out, “In the case that the exam was particularly difficult that year, if you misread a question or made silly mistakes, a strong IA can make all the difference when it comes to achieving your desired grade.”
4. Lean on your teachers
Aditya said he could always rely on his teachers at OFS for support. “I would like to thank my teachers for all the emotional and academic support they provided me. Their classrooms have always been a safe and comfortable space for me. Their efforts to support me and give me advice both within and beyond the classroom have helped me significantly in coping with the stress of my high school years. They were all instrumental in helping me achieve a 45 in the IB; and my high school journey would most certainly have not been the same without them,” he said.
Every student can take the full IB Diploma at OFS
If you would like your child to go through the IB programme, then OFS should definitely be on your school shortlist. OFS’ IB results track record speaks for itself! It’s one of the few international schools in Singapore and globally that do not preselect students for its IB DP pathway. Students and parents are welcome to select the courses best suited to them, and OFS encourages students to select the most challenging courses and qualifications possible. The school’s policy is that parents are the senior partners in these decisions, and it will offer full support and guidance during the process. Interested parents can find out more about the school, its curriculum, and its offerings through the OFS website.
This post is in partnership with Overseas Family School.