Official IB documents and past papers are essential tools for MYP and DP students preparing for assessments. They show the format, style, and expectations of real exams. This guide explains what these resources are, where to find them, and how to use them effectively in your revision.
IB documents include subject guides, syllabus outlines, assessment criteria, and official publications from the International Baccalaureate. Past papers are previous examination papers released by the IB for students to practice. Both types of resources reflect the current curriculum and assessment models.
Subject guides define the aims, objectives, and content for each course. Past papers provide authentic questions from prior exam sessions. Mark schemes and examiner reports accompany many past papers, showing how answers are evaluated and where students commonly gain or lose marks.
These materials apply to both the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP). In the MYP, they support eAssessment preparation and on-screen examinations. In the DP, they are central to final exam readiness across all six subject groups and the core.
Ask your IB coordinator for school access to official resources
Teachers distribute guides and specimen papers through school platforms
IB public site offers sample materials and curriculum overviews only
Full past papers and mark schemes are school-restricted for security
School resources match your specific exam session and subjects
Avoid unofficial third-party collections that may be outdated
Mark schemes break down how each question is scored. They show the specific points, keywords, or steps required for each mark. Studying them teaches you what examiners reward and how to structure answers for maximum credit.
Examiner reports summarise how candidates performed on each paper. They identify common misconceptions, frequent omissions, and examples of strong responses.
Reading these reports helps you avoid predictable mistakes and adopt successful approaches that align with assessment criteria.
Together, mark schemes and examiner reports shift focus from simply answering questions to understanding the criteria that drive your final grades.
Use mark schemes and examiner reports to structure responses that meet the specific requirements examiners look for in each subject.
Balance eAssessment preparation using past papers alongside Personal Project completion during November mid-year review and December winter catch-up periods.
Past-paper revision supports Internal Assessments by reinforcing subject knowledge needed for investigations and commentaries.
Past-paper practice strengthens analytical skills required for Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essays and the Extended Essay.
Scheduling past-paper sessions around coursework deadlines ensures neither exam practice nor coursework is neglected.
Tutors help students allocate time proportionally across exam practice, Internal Assessments, Extended Essay, TOK, and CAS or Personal Project commitments.
The first step is to identify your current priorities: which subjects need the most attention, what stage you are at in the academic calendar, and what coursework deadlines are approaching. Share this information with IB Tutoring Academy through the consultation form.
A tutor will then map out a past-paper practice plan aligned to your school's timeline and the IB assessment calendar. The plan selects appropriate papers, sets realistic practice frequency, and builds in review sessions using mark schemes and examiner reports.
Ongoing sessions adjust the plan as you progress through mock exams, coursework submissions, and final exam preparation. The goal is to make past-paper practice a consistent, manageable part of your overall IB journey.
Official past papers are available through your IB World School. Ask your IB coordinator or subject teachers for access to the school's IB resources, which include past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports for your exam session.
Begin with individual questions after reviewing each topic. For MYP5 students, the November mid-year review is a natural starting point for cumulative past-paper practice. DP students should align practice with Internal Assessment deadlines and mock exam schedules.
Mark schemes show the specific points, keywords, or steps required for each mark. Studying them teaches you what examiners reward and how to structure answers to meet the assessment criteria.
Start small with single questions or sections rather than full papers. Focus on your weakest topics first. A tutor can help select the most relevant papers and structure manageable practice sessions around your calendar.
Yes. Past-paper practice reinforces subject knowledge and analytical skills that support Internal Assessments, the Extended Essay, and TOK. For MYP students, it complements eAssessment preparation alongside Personal Project work.
Tutors create a practice plan aligned to your academic calendar and school deadlines. They select appropriate papers, guide you through mark schemes and examiner reports, provide feedback on answers, and adjust the plan as you progress through mocks and final exams.
Get a past-paper revision plan aligned to your academic calendar and subject needs. Submit your details through our consultation form and a tutor will map out your first steps.