The Game Changed: Worldwide IB results dropped in 2023? What should you do to prepare for your IB study?

Among the 2,275 IB candidates from 36 IB schools in Hong Kong, only 23 students scored a perfect 45 points, making them the IB top scorers. This number is lower than the adjusted scores in 2022 (130 students) and 2021 (93 students) due to the pandemic, but the same as the number of students who received predicted grades in 2020. 

However, it is still more than 30% lower than the 34 students who achieved the same feat in 2019 before the pandemic. The proportion of top IB scorers in the city, which is 1% of the total candidates, is also lower than the previous two years’ percentages of 4.2% to 5.9%, but has returned to the 2020 level.

Why the Result Dropped Worldwide in 2023?

When you are still wondering why the IB result dropped in Hong Kong this year, in fact, the overall grades decreased first during the post-pandemic era. The IB exam has been adopting the Teacher Assessed Grades since 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There was more flexibility in assessing IB students’ performance in their assignments and exams. It therefore led to a higher average score among IB students from all over the world. 

This year, the IBO has decided to  return to the pre-pandemic standard resulting in a lower average performance compared to the past 2 years. 

What Should You Do to Prepare for Your IB Study?

There is no doubt that the “standard” of IB grading will not return in the coming academic year. What should you do to get ready for the challenge?

New to IB?

If you are a newcomer, you’d better familiarise yourself with the IB curriculum. Getting a good understanding of the IB curriculum will give you an idea of what you are going to learn and be assessed which will tell you a big clue of planning your studies accordingly.

What can you do?

• Communicate with your teachers to know more about your subjects, including the assignments, learning style, marking scheme, etc.
• Try to find the IB past papers before 2019 and have a look at the questions.
• Learn from others’ experience. Talk with the senior IB students and know more about their study plan and challenges throughout their IB journey. You can get some insights from what they are doing during the first year in IB study. 

After 1-year Study?

If you have been studying IB for 1 year, what you should do starting from this summer’s to get yourself organised and brush up what you’ve learnt in the past year. Summer is always a crucial period in which students make significant progress. Organise your IB study plan and try to tackle what you find challenging. 

What can you do?

• Get ready with the IB past papers and finish them one by one.
• Try to learn from mistakes. Revise the IB exercise or papers that you’ve done before  and take notes on it. You can gain a clearer and in-depth understanding of what you’ve learnt by going through the questions and answers. 
• Develop a healthy lifestyle. Despite the busy IB study timetable, reserving some time to do regular exercise and rest well are also crucial for your study. Maintaining a healthy body can equip yourself with the best condition to deal with the heavy workload and intense study of IB.
• Seek help. Never be afraid of seeking help from your peers and teachers when you have trouble with your IB study. We shall overcome every obstacle during your IB journey when we are together! 

Being dedicated and staying motivated are important but never forget to seek help when you need it. Try to figure out your IB study style this summer and prepare for the coming unknown. You can make it!