IB Biology requires students to be proficient not only in the content but also in practical skills and analytical thinking. Many students struggle to get 5s and 6s, let alone a 7! However, once you understand how to approach this subject, getting a 7 becomes much more attainable.
IB Biology has two main components: the exam and the IA. This guide will cover tips for both!
How to Create a Study Plan?
Effective preparation starts with a well-structured study plan. Your plan should:
- Target all the main topics (both SL and HL components), prioritizing weaker areas.
- Include specific subtopics to study, not just the general topic name.
- Space out all topics and ensure you revisit past topics to reinforce your knowledge.
Many students make the mistake of allocating equal time to all topics rather than focusing more on weaker areas (equity over equality). Spend more time and energy brushing up on topics you're weaker at.
Struggling to understand the content you have been learning so far? A private tutor from KIS Academics can help:
What are the Must-Have Resources for Biology?
There are numerous resources available for IB Biology:
| Video Resources | Text Resources |
| Cheryl Hickman on YouTube | Pearson IB Biology textbook / Study Guide |
| Alex Lee on YouTube | BioNinja |
All resources will cover the content; however, I will give you the best tips to succeed with these sources:
- Use BioNinja to pre-read before class. Pre-reading isn’t just skimming over the content, but actually learning it:
- Write notes for the topic you are going to study in class the night before
- In these notes, make mini-mind maps connecting subsections to one another
- Draw diagrams when you can and label them – this is by far the best way to memorize Biology content
- Mark any content that doesn’t make sense or that you are unsure of. Ask your teacher to elaborate on the content
- The Pearson Study Guide is also good; however, it is really condensed.
- Use this resource to help understand points you are unsure of. By learning the content before the class, you are going to be able to follow along better, stay more engaged, and overall learn more.
- Also, this will make class time act as a revision time as you have learnt the content prior.
At the end of the week this is what you should do:
- Go through the content once again with the video resources
- Summarize what they say as you are going through the video
- If you come across a section that doesn’t make sense, go read your notes on it and listen to what the videos say. Focus on making sure you understand the section before continuing the video
In my opinion, you shouldn’t be doing past papers until it’s time for your mocks as they are a valuable resource. Instead, use PESTLE or an IB QuestionBank to practice questions specific to the topic you are learning.
How to Prepare for Mock and Final Exam?
The best way to improve your biology skills is by doing past papers. However, only do these once you are confident with all the content, ideally before mocks and final exams. Using them too early can waste valuable resources.
For mocks, past papers from the last year or two are used so focus on them. This will leave years of papers you can use during SWOTVAC (studying at home) to prepare for final exams. Specifically:
- Do a Paper 1 (MC) and study the subtopics for any questions you get wrong.
- This method exposes you to all topics and helps identify weak areas.
- Rewriting mark scheme answers for incorrect questions and creating a document with key terms and phrases from the mark scheme can be very helpful.
- Go through the Mark Schemes!
- The mark scheme will tell you the key words you have to use to guarantee marks
- After doing a past paper, go through the mark scheme for every question. If you miss a point or a key word, rewrite the whole mark scheme answer and learn it
- You can make a Word document with the table the mark scheme points and practice them
How to Ace the IA?
The IA is crucial as it contributes 20% to your final grade. Here are some tips for a successful IA:
- Choose a research question with ample existing research.
- Formulate an in-depth research question—aim for at least two lines.
- Conduct extensive research, including images/diagrams in your background information.
- Look at examples online to guide you. Choosing a well-researched topic simplifies this process.
Most importantly, if you need help, ask your teachers or seek feedback from past IB students or tutors like those at KIS Academics. Getting extra feedback is one of the best ways to boost your IA grade.
Conclusion
And that's how you can get a 7 in HL Biology!
Biology is definitely not a subject you can cram in. You must take your time to understand all the content. You also must actually study it, not just skim over notes and videos. Remember though, with hard work and discipline you can easily learn the content and get yourself a 7. Make sure to try your hardest for this final stretch of your secondary schooling, get the 7s you deserve and make yourself proud!
FAQs
What are the Common Mistakes I should avoid?
- Wasting time memorizing minor details. You should focus on “big picture” concepts and frequent exam topics.
- Writing vague answers that don’t fully explain mechanisms or lack specific evidence/data.
- Ignoring practice with unfamiliar data or question styles.
- Neglecting to review past mistakes. You should keep a log of incorrect answers and revisit regularly.
What are the Essential Skills needed in IB Biology HL?
- Mastering the syllabus: Know every syllabus point in detail—create a checklist and fill gaps in your knowledge. Constantly review the course guide.
- Understanding command terms: Command terms (“define,” “explain,” “evaluate,” etc.) have specific meanings in IB Biology questions. Practice tailoring your answers with the right depth for each term.
- Focusing on conceptual understanding: Go beyond memorization; develop real understanding of processes and mechanisms.
- Being strong in data analysis: Practice identifying patterns, drawing conclusions, and referencing figures in your answers.
Written by Sameer Baad who pursued a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics at the University of Queensland.
Want more personalized study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor from KIS Academics can make the biggest difference! Want to find out more about the IB? Check out these KIS Academics articles:
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
