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IB Physics Q/A

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IB Physics Preparation Guide

Studying and preparing is vital to success in IB Physics exams. It is, however, difficult to know how best to manage your preparation period until you have some experience.

Get the IB Physics Preparation Guide and stay ahead with your preparation in a systematic manner.

IB Physics Study Plan

To ensure you can tick off each of these descriptors and obtain that magical grade 7 in Physics, try following these 7 top tips:

1. Know And Understand Your Syllabus  

All that can be tested is in the syllabus! When a question is written that cannot be explicitly related to the syllabus, it is removed.

You need to know every part of the syllabus in great detail to prevent any unexpected surprises in the test. Whenever you study, revise or attempt a previous paper, the syllabus is still available on the correct page.

2. Colour Code and Make Comments On Your Syllabus

Print the syllabus in pages that include all the various themes. When you read, make notes on each section of the syllabus. Highlight each segment of the coding scheme to inform you whether you are entirely informed (green), partly understood (orange) or have no idea (red).

The colour scheme is for three areas; if you follow the notes, you will complete past paper questions and you need to use it for your internal appraisal.

3. Stop And Think Before You Move To The Next Section

If the last point colour coding is orange or red, then Pause and THINK. Why don't you understand anything like that? Is that a theory, a part or a basic question? Or anything else, huh? The Physics Syllabus builds on previous theories when they are arranged.

If you don't know or appreciate a main feature, the remainder of the building blocks would be difficult to grasp. Before you go on, you need to make sure that the subject is coded orange, which could mean calling for assistance. Look in your guide, find out a book or the internet, ask your instructor, or get help from outside.

4. Manage Your Time Wisely

If you're organised and productive with your time, you'll get higher grades compared to other students. The disparity between two classes may be an effective time control. It's important to eliminate distractions, and it's important to take breaks. Your brain can't run hour after hour without a rest or refuelling.

Here's an idea that works for me: I sit down at my desk, get my job done and turn on my computer and my cell phone. I've been reviewing anything and everything on my computer and mobile for the first ten minutes. My brain tells me I don't need to think about texts, text messages or social media because I've tested. 

When I don't use my phone to work, I turn off my mobile and computer because I don't want any distractions. You require peace and calm to be able to function properly.

Study hard and effectively in blocks of 30-45 minutes, then take a ten-minute stroll, have a snack or even search your dreaded cell phone! Go back to it and do not take more than four sessions until you pause for one hour to have a break and something to eat. Have a beer with you while you're busy.

Parkinson's law says that a job will take as long as you allow – if you convince yourself it will take a day, it will take a day, but if you're efficient and say it will take half a day, you'll finish the task in half the time.

You will need to be disciplined – the cycle is: make notes, understand notes, try realistic questions, try past paper questions with notes, revise, try past paper questions without notes. When you come to the end and understand, tick the green and continue on. If you don't understand the problem, figure out where it is and repeat the loop.

5. Complete At Least 5 Past Papers

Don't be fooled into thinking that you should get a 7 in physics without answering previous paper questions. You ought to finish at least the last five years and ideally the last seven years. What is crucial is that the syllabus may be modified, and you can come across an issue that you cannot do.

You ought to check the explanation of why and if it's because the syllabus has modified, cross the issue and carry on. Note that the paper MUST be related to the latest syllabus, and there are just so many forms of questions and topics that can be submitted.

When you have completed and appreciated the last seven years of the journals, most forms of issues will be dealt with.

There is no alternative for attempting past paper questions and do not fail to finish a lot of past papers on time. When you come to a question you can't do it or get it wrong, note the cycle in the last segment and remember to get some help.

6. Mark Schemes And The Examiner’s Report

Maybe mentioning the report of the examiner as number 6 is not a suitable spot, as it should be one of the first documents to be read. It is full of information and highlights situations that students have made errors or have not learned. Learn, print, and make notes on the examiner's paper.

Mark schemes need to be handled with caution. It is not a smart idea to look at a question and then write down the solution using the mark scheme. If you do this, you're not going to get a grade 7 test.

You need to try the question, ideally in a timed setting, and then check the answer against the mark scheme. If the answer is right, go ahead, but if it's wrong, you need to understand your error and try a similar paper question. Check the answer and carry on if it's right, but if it's incorrect again, you need support.

7. Maximise Your Internal Assessment

One of the best ways to improve your grade is to have the highest possible rating of your internal evaluation.

You don't have time constraints, and you will have plenty of chances to boost your score. Take maximum advantage by having the best mark possible. You must review your guide closely for the exact criteria and ask your instructor if you are not aware about something.