4 replies to this topic

[cookie_1989]

I've just received 23 points and I think that the best option is to retake subjects with the lowest scores. I want also to improve the score in Biology HL Internal Assessment because I was predicted by a school to have 38 points but after moderation I got only 18 point. Do you think that it is a little bit strange? And my another question is about retakes - do you think that retakes in November are easier than exam session in May? I don't know how should I prepare to retakes (chemistry HL, biology HL and maths SL) because I've tried really hard in May...Oh, maybe I should change the way I learn? How did you prepare to your exams?

[Vol de Mort]

No, the IA drop isn't strange at all. Many times, kids get screwed over by IA moderation. In fact, I'm pretty sure when you sign up for retake, you have the option of not redoing your IA. You have to make this clear to your IB coordinator, you want to redo IA.

But in my honest opinion, retaking rarely helps students. Many end up gaining the same (if not maybe 1 or 2 points) higher. It's hard to study in the summer.

If I were you, I would consider some other qualification like AP exams/GCSE/SAT and apply to schools in Canada and USA.

[TheregretfulIBstudent]

If you are going to re-take, it's best if you do it in May. That way, you give yourself a lot of time to actually study and be prepared. A lot of students probably don't end up well with re-takes because they think that they have enough time to study and when the exam is right around the corner, they realize how screwed they are. So IF you are taking re-takes, actually study! I've heard november papers are harder than May. At least, I noticed for math that november papers seem to be a little tougher!

Biology HL is all about stamping information in your head! So you really gotta understand the concept and remember it. There is no other way. The research based questions are the easiest ones so I suggest you get yourself good in that (if you aren't) and memorize as much as you can. Chemistry HL is really tricky too! Even if you memorize, it's not gonna help you. You gotta know the book inside out and it's really out of syllabus knowledge that you need as well. What helped me (I started late though) was practice a lot! Get the calculations, problem solving etc. all perfect through doing a lot of exercises from the book! And also just online too. And just keep repeating it like a maniac cause it's really easy to forget stuff in Chem. So practice and just reading a lot and trying to apply your knowledge in different ways is gonna help you score high in chem. Do a lot of past papers and you'll grow used to thinking the way Chem requires you to think but you need time for that. Not everyone can easily pick that up (like me). That's why I think the May session is better. Math SL is actually pretty easy. Once you understand the basic concept behind stuff, all you gotta do is practice. Our teacher gave us two math books. The standard Haese one and another math sl book with a windmill on the book or something! The second really helped with the practice cause it only had problems in it and explained stuff better. Also focus on calculus a lot! Make sure you have those chapters under the knee! And then past papers again. They can help and they can not help. Past papers didn't help for me this year cause the paper was way too different! But still.. check the past papers and see if you can do the problems. You don't even have to work it out but if you look at the problems and actually know the procedure etc. You are good!

The best tip I can give is that don't study with only 1 book. All these subjects have various IB books and so its better if you get at least 2 for each subject because they help a lot! Oh and If you find it strange what happened to your IA's then go for a remarking. I mean, if you feel it's not justified, IB looks at it again and maybe your score changes! But then again, IB is harsher than our schools. My school predicted everyone good grades but when it came down to it, IB screwed us all over so not every school prepares you well enough!

Edited by TheregretfulIBstudent, Jul 09, 2012 - 21:50.

[cookie_1989]

Thanks for your answers Do you know whether I can redo my Biology IA? My IB Coordinator told me today thay there is no problem in redoing it...but I'm not sure if it is possible.

[Gareth Bale]

I will apply for retake in biology including doing again the IA in biology. 
Therefore can someone please explain me what is the process regarding the lab reports retake? 
Where will I conduct them again? 
Which new lab reports will be sent? 
Due when? Do I need to write them all over again? Or the superviser will tell me which lab reports to improve like in May session?