Preparation for the IB Diploma starts months before the first day of class. Students who enter the programme without preparing often get lost in the sheer volume of work during the first term. Those who arrive ready know what to expect, already have solid habits in place, and can focus on the material instead of adjusting to the system.
- Understanding the structure is the first step: six subjects from different areas, plus a core made up of TOK (Theory of Knowledge), the Extended Essay (a 4,000 word independent research paper) and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service).
- Subject choice affects the entire two years. Higher Level subjects need to be in areas where your child is genuinely strong, not just interested.
- The summer before starting is crucial for reviewing the basics, practising essay writing and building a study routine.
- CAS activities should start as early as possible, since they require 18 months of documented participation.
- Past papers and official IB resources are the best preparation material available.
Understanding what lies ahead
Before any preparation begins, your child needs to understand how the programme is structured.
The IB Diploma requires six subjects from six groups: language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts (or an additional subject from another group). Three subjects are taken at Higher Level (HL), with more content and harder exams. Three are taken at Standard Level (SL).
Alongside the subjects, there is the programme's core. Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a course in critical thinking that concludes with an essay and a presentation. The Extended Essay is an independent research paper of 4,000 words on a topic of the student's choosing. Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) requires participation in extracurricular activities over 18 months.
The maximum possible score is 45 points: 7 points per subject (42 in total) plus up to 3 bonus points from the core. The global average score is around 30 points.
How to choose subjects
Subject choice is one of the most important decisions, and it is made before the programme even begins.
Higher Level subjects require more teaching hours and a deeper level of understanding. Your child should choose them in areas where they get good grades and genuinely enjoy learning. Interest alone is not enough, because two years of intensive work in a subject that does not come naturally will be exhausting.
Standard Level subjects cover breadth without the same depth. This is where your child can place subjects that are needed for the diploma but are not their strongest areas.
It is important to check the requirements of the universities your child is considering. Some courses ask for specific HL subjects. Medicine, for example, usually requires chemistry and biology at Higher Level. Engineering typically requires mathematics and physics.
The most common problematic combination is three science subjects at Higher Level, for example maths, physics and chemistry together. On paper this looks logical for engineering, but in practice the workload is enormous, since all three subjects demand intensive work with problem sets. We also see issues when students take two languages at Higher Level alongside another demanding subject, since writing essays in two languages takes an enormous amount of time. We always recommend pairing one harder HL subject with one that comes naturally to the student, so that energy is spread out sensibly.
What to do during the summer before starting
The summer before starting the IB is an opportunity that should not be missed. Here is what makes sense to do:
Review the basics in key subjects. Mathematics, chemistry, physics and languages all build on prior knowledge. If your child has gaps from secondary school, summer is the time to fill them. There is no need to learn new material, just to refresh what has been forgotten.
Practise essay writing. The IB requires a great deal of writing: the TOK essay, the Extended Essay, and internal assessments in most subjects. If your child is not used to writing structured essays with arguments and evidence, summer is the time to practise. Focus on a clear structure: an introduction with a thesis, paragraphs each built around one argument, and a conclusion.
Get familiar with the exam format. Past papers are available, and your child can look through them to see what the questions look like. There is no need to sit full papers yet, just to know what is coming.
Establish a routine. The IB requires consistent study throughout the year. If your child starts studying 2 to 3 hours a day at the same time during the summer, it will be far easier to keep that habit once school starts.
Summer programmes as preparation
Many schools and organisations offer pre-IB summer programmes lasting two to four weeks. These programmes cover the basics of the methodology, introduce students to TOK-style thinking, and give an overview of what to expect.
Summer programmes are not compulsory, but they can help children coming from a very different school system. A student from an Italian state school will face a bigger jump than one who has already attended an international school.
If you are not attending an organised programme, you can achieve the same effect at home with past papers, IB resources and self-discipline.
A good pre-IB programme lasts at least two weeks and includes practical essay work, an introduction to TOK methodology, and a simulation of the IB workload schedule. Many of the schools our students end up attending offer their own preparatory programmes in June or August, and these tend to be the most useful, since the child immediately gets to know the teachers and the environment. If a school does not offer this, organisations such as IBWISE, or summer programmes at universities like Oxford and Cambridge, are solid options. The key is that the programme should not be purely lectures, but should have the child actively writing, researching and receiving feedback.
How to stay organised during the programme
Once the programme begins, organisation becomes essential.
Weekly plan. At the start of each week, your child should know what the deadlines are, which tasks are the priority, and how much time is available for each. The IB has many overlapping deadlines, and without a plan it is easy to lose track of something.
Daily routine. It is more effective to study 2 to 3 hours a day than to cram for 10 hours before an exam. A technique like the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of focused work, 5 minutes of rest) helps maintain concentration.
Active learning. Reading notes is not enough. Making flashcards, working through practice problems, and explaining material out loud are all far more effective ways of retaining it.
Asking for help early. If your child does not understand something, they should ask the teacher or find a tutor before the gap widens. IB content builds on itself, and gaps from the first term will cause problems by the end.
CAS: start earlier than you think
The CAS component requires participation in activities across three areas: creativity (art, design, writing), activity (sport, physical activity) and service (volunteering, community work).
There is no officially mandated minimum number of hours, but schools generally expect around 150 hours over 18 months, spread evenly across the three areas. The key is that the activities need to be ongoing, not one-off.
A child who already has hobbies (sport, music, volunteering) can continue them and document them for CAS. A child who does not should start looking for activities as soon as possible, since CAS cannot be completed in the final few months.
Beyond participation, CAS requires reflections: the student writes about what they learned from each activity. This is the part students often neglect, and then have to write retrospectively, which is harder and less authentic.
Boarding schools usually offer a rich choice of organised CAS activities, from sports teams and music groups to volunteer projects in the local community. Students rarely need to search for options themselves, since schools have a coordinator who helps with planning and documentation. The most practical activities are the ones the child already enjoys, since CAS runs for 18 months and needs to be authentic. Our advice is for the student to choose at least one activity that pushes them out of their comfort zone, since those are exactly the reflections that are most valued in the CAS portfolio.
The Extended Essay: do not leave it until the end
The Extended Essay is a 4,000 word research paper on a topic chosen by the student within one of their subjects. The process includes choosing a topic, researching, writing, and revising with a supervisor.
Most schools begin the EE process towards the end of the first year. A student with an early idea for a topic can start reading and thinking about it before the official start.
The most common mistake is choosing a topic that is far too broad. The impact of the Second World War on the economy is impossible to cover in 4,000 words. The impact of the bombing on industrial production in Dresden in 1945 is achievable.
Frequently asked questions
What if my child does not have excellent grades from secondary school?
The IB does not require perfect grades for entry, but it does require a solid foundation in language, mathematics and the sciences. If there are weaknesses, the summer before starting is the time to address them. Work ethic and organisation are often more important than entry grades.
How many hours a day should a student study?
During term time, 2 to 4 hours a day outside school is realistic. This increases before exams. More important than the number of hours is the quality of study and consistency.
Are tutors necessary?
Not for every child. Tutors help if a child is struggling with a specific subject, or wants to raise their grade in an area that matters for university applications. They are not a substitute for regular study.
How can parents help without adding pressure?
Ask about deadlines and plans rather than grades. Support the routine (time to study, time to rest). Respond to early warning signs instead of waiting until the end of term.
Conclusion
Preparing for the IB is not just about reviewing content. It is about building habits, understanding the system, and laying the groundwork for two demanding years.
A student who enters the programme with a clear understanding of the structure, a sound choice of subjects, and solid study habits has a significantly better chance of finishing successfully. The summer before starting is an opportunity that will not come again.
If you are not sure how to prepare your child for the IB, or which subjects would be the best choice, we can walk through your situation in a free 30 minute consultation and put together a plan.
