IB REVIEW RESOURCES
Test Taking Tips
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Prescribed Practical Summary PPT
Tips for Paper 1
Tips for Paper 2
Read the question options carefully and select which you will answer. Your "gut instinct" for which questions to answer might not be the best. Take a few minutes to think of answers to EACH question before selecting the one you feel like you can best respond. Remember, you want to select the question in which you know the most overall about parts A, B and C. Be sure you know what the question is asking. For example, don't answer a question about speciation with a response about the limitations of the term species.
Once you have selected which question you will respond to, begin writing an outline to your response to each part. Play attention to the command terms, so you actually address what the question is asking. The command term "discuss" is one in which students often mistakenly "explain." When asked to discuss, be sure you address alternative hypothesis and/or give arguments for and against a claim. If you are asked to "compare", be sure to include both similarities and differences and to include differences for both items. For example, if asked to compare spermatogenesis and oogenesis, you would not get a point for saying, "spermatogenesis creates 4 sperm." You would get a point for saying, "spermatogenesis creates 4 sperm, whereas oogenesis forms only 1 egg."
Each question includes the maximum number of points possible. As you are drafting your response, predict how points will be awarded on the mark scheme. The general rule of thumb is that the mark scheme used by the assessors will have 1.5X the number of "point earning" ideas as there are points that the question is worth. For example, if a question is worth 5 points, aim for AT LEAST 8 ideas. You will not earn more than 5 points but including extra responses is a good idea (just don't contradict yourself!).
Use the following as a guide:
Write your final response using your outline as a guide. Be sure to use legible handwriting that is dark enough to read from a scanned image. If your response is illegible or not visible, you will not earn points.
Lastly, include a sentence for each prompt (A, B and C) that ties the prompt to the others in the question. You can earn two "quality of construction" points for a response that connects the parts of the question together.
- Read the question carefully. Note important terms.
- Cover the answer choices! Try to answer the question before you read the options. This prevents you from becoming “muddled” with wrong answers.
- Eliminate - Eliminate - Eliminate
- Only change answers if you are ABSOLUTELY SURE the current answer is incorrect. Don’t second guess yourself!
- Avoid patterns (i.e. selecting “C” because there hasn’t been one in a while)
- On the exam, you’ll be able to write on the test. Mark it up like crazy!
Tips for Paper 2
Read the question options carefully and select which you will answer. Your "gut instinct" for which questions to answer might not be the best. Take a few minutes to think of answers to EACH question before selecting the one you feel like you can best respond. Remember, you want to select the question in which you know the most overall about parts A, B and C. Be sure you know what the question is asking. For example, don't answer a question about speciation with a response about the limitations of the term species.
Once you have selected which question you will respond to, begin writing an outline to your response to each part. Play attention to the command terms, so you actually address what the question is asking. The command term "discuss" is one in which students often mistakenly "explain." When asked to discuss, be sure you address alternative hypothesis and/or give arguments for and against a claim. If you are asked to "compare", be sure to include both similarities and differences and to include differences for both items. For example, if asked to compare spermatogenesis and oogenesis, you would not get a point for saying, "spermatogenesis creates 4 sperm." You would get a point for saying, "spermatogenesis creates 4 sperm, whereas oogenesis forms only 1 egg."
Each question includes the maximum number of points possible. As you are drafting your response, predict how points will be awarded on the mark scheme. The general rule of thumb is that the mark scheme used by the assessors will have 1.5X the number of "point earning" ideas as there are points that the question is worth. For example, if a question is worth 5 points, aim for AT LEAST 8 ideas. You will not earn more than 5 points but including extra responses is a good idea (just don't contradict yourself!).
Use the following as a guide:
- Define any key terms in the question.
- Where does the process happen? In what type of cell? In what system? Where in the ecosystem?
- What happens? What is the outcome of the process?
- How does the process happen? Think of drafting a flow chart to show the process.
- When does the process happen? What triggers the event?
- Why is this process important? What is the reason, purpose, and/or benefit?
- Given an example.
- Draw a labeled diagram.
- Are there any pros/cons? Alternatives? Limitations?
Write your final response using your outline as a guide. Be sure to use legible handwriting that is dark enough to read from a scanned image. If your response is illegible or not visible, you will not earn points.
Lastly, include a sentence for each prompt (A, B and C) that ties the prompt to the others in the question. You can earn two "quality of construction" points for a response that connects the parts of the question together.
SPECIFIC THINGS TO STUDY
Click on the following links to open up Google Docs with lists of items that appear in the IB Syllabus. You can edit these documents, so please add notes, diagrams, definitions, etc. to help you and your classmates. Please do not delete any information.
Click on the following links to open up Google Docs with lists of items that appear in the IB Syllabus. You can edit these documents, so please add notes, diagrams, definitions, etc. to help you and your classmates. Please do not delete any information.
REVIEW WEBSITES
BioNinja
IbBiologyHelp - Note: numbering is from old syllabus but diagrams are useful
IBWorldMe
Bioknowledgy
Biology for Life
PrepScholar
REVIEW VIDEOS
Comprehensive list of review videos on YouTube
Notes by topic
Mr. Lee's videos covering all IB topics
Stephanie Castle's IB Biology Review Videos
BioNinja
IbBiologyHelp - Note: numbering is from old syllabus but diagrams are useful
IBWorldMe
Bioknowledgy
Biology for Life
PrepScholar
REVIEW VIDEOS
Comprehensive list of review videos on YouTube
Notes by topic
Mr. Lee's videos covering all IB topics
Stephanie Castle's IB Biology Review Videos
Topic 1: Cell Biology
cell-biology-mixed-question-quiz.rtf |
copy_of_cell-biology-mixed-question-quiz-answers.rtf.pdf |
CELL BIOLOGY REVISION SHEET
01_cells_a3_revision-sheet_a3format__1_.pdf |
01_cells_a3_revision-sheet_a3format_modela-swers.pdfviewer.action_download.pdf |
Topic 2: Biochemistry
copy_of_biochemistry-part-one-mxed-questions__1_.pdf |
copy_of_biochemistry-part-one-mxed-answers__1_.pdf |
copy_of_biochemistry-part-two-mxed-questions__1_.pdf |
copy_of_biochemistry-part-two-mxed-answers__2_.pdf |
copy_of_biochemistry-part-three-mxed-questions__1_.pdf |
copy_of_biochemistry-part-three-mxed-answers__1___1_.pdf |
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REVISION SHEET
02_molecular_bio_a3_revision-sheet_a3format__2_.pdf |
02_molecular_bio_a3_revision-sheet_a3formatms.pdfviewer.action_download__1_.pdf |
Topic 3: Genetics
mixed-questions-genetics1.pdf |
copy_of_mixed-questions-geneticsanswers.pdf |
GENETICS REVISION SHEET
03_genetics_a3_revision-sheet_a3format__1_.pdf |
03_genetics_a3_revision-sheet_a3formatms.pdfviewer.action_download.pdf |
03_genetics_a3_revision-sheet_a3formatms.pdf |
Topic 4: Ecology
copy_of_ecology-mixed-questions2__1_.pdf |
copy_of_ecology-mixed-questions-answers__1_.pdf |
ECOLOGY REVISION SHEET
04_ecology_a3_revision-sheet_a3format.pdf |
04_ecology_a3_revision-sheet_a3formatms.pdfviewer.action_download__1_.pdf |
Topic 5: Evolution and Biodiversity
evolution-classification-mixed-questions__1_.docx |
evolution-classification-mixed-questionsanswers.docx |
EVOLUTION & BIODIVERSITY REVISION SHEET
05_evolution_a3_revision-sheet_a3format.pdfviewer.action_download.pdf |
05_evolution_a3_revision-sheet_a3formatms.pdfviewer.action_download.pdf |
Topic 6: Human Physiology
human-phys-part1-digestheartimmune-questions.docx |
human-phys-part1-digestheartimmune-questions-answers.docx |
human-phys-part2-nervoushormonesreprod-questions.pdf |
human-phys-part2-nervoushormonesreprod-questions-answers1.docx |
HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY REVISION SHEET
06_humans_a3_revision_sheet_a3format.pdf |
06_humans_a3_revision-sheet_a3formatms.pdfviewer.action_download.pdf |
HIGHER LEVEL (DP ONLY)
Topic 7 Nucleic Acids HL
07_hl_nucleic_acids_a3_revision_sheet.pdfviewer.action_download.pdf |
07_hl_nucleic_acids_a3_revision_sheet_modelansws.pdfviewer.action_download__1_.pdf |
07_nucleic_acids_test.pdf |
nucleic_acids_topic_test_-_answers.pdf |
Topic 8 Metabolism, Photosynthesis and Respiration HL
08_hl_metabolism_a3_revision-sheet.pdfviewer.action_download__1_.pdf |
08_hl_metabolism_a3_revision_sheet_modelanswers.pdf |
08_metabolism_test.pdf |
topic_8_metabolism_respiration_and_photosynthesis_test_-_mark_scheme.pdf |
Topic 9 Plant Biology HL
09_hl_plants_a3_revision-sheet.pdfviewer.action_download.pdf |
09_hl_plants_a3_revision-sheet_model_ans.pdf |
09_plant_science_test.pdf |
topic_9_plant_biology_test_answers.pdf |
Topic 10 Genetics HL
10_hl_genetics_a3_revision-sheet.pdfviewer.action_download.pdf |
10_hl_genetics_a3_revision-sheet_model_answers.pdfviewer.action_download.pdf |
10_genetics_test_hl.pdf |
genetics_test_hl_-_model_answers.pdf |
Topic 11 Animal Physiology HL
11_animal_physiol_a3_revision-sheet.pdfviewer.action_download__1_.pdf |
11_animal_physiology_test.pdf |
topic_11_animal_physiology_test_-_answers.pdf |
Option D: Human Physiology
option_d__human_physiology_revision_list.pdf |
specimen_papers_2016.pdf |
specimen_paper_option_d_2016_-_markscheme.pdf |
PAST PAPERS - SL & HL
Specimen Papers - new syllabus
specimen_papers_and_mark_scheme_2016_exam.pdf |
Paper 1 Practice
Specimen Paper 2016
specimen_paper_2016_-_paper_1.pdf |
May 2014
biology_paper_1__tz1_sl__2_.pdf |
paper_1_2014_markscheme.pdf |
November 2014
biology_paper_1__sl.pdf |
paper_1_nov_2014_ms.pdf |
Paper 2 Practice
SPECIMEN PAPER HL 2016
specimen_paper_hl_2016_-_paper_2.pdf |
specimen_paper_hl_2016_-_paper_2_markingsheme.pdf |
2014
biology_paper_2.pdf |
biology_paper_2__sl_markscheme.pdf |
Paper 3 Practice
SL PAPER 3
sl_practice_paper_3_.pdf |
sl_paper_3_practice_exam_-_section_a_key.pdf |
SPECIMEN PAPER HL 2016
specimen_paper_hl_2016_-_paper_3.pdf |
specimen_paper_hl_2016_-_paper_3_mark_scheme.pdf |
2014
biology_paper_3__tz1_sl.pdf |
biology_paper_3__tz1_sl_markscheme.pdf |