There are:

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until IB N23 World Exams.


But don't panic. The IB might be painful, but it's slightly less painful if we work together. Below is a list of compiled resources, both generalised and specialised to specific subject groups.

Take any academic sources with a grain of salt, as the moderators of this site are only well-versed in so many fields of study and are limited in their fact-checking. If you would like to contribute a resource, fill out this Google Form.

Contents

  1. Mental and Emotional Support
  2. General Resources
  3. Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
  4. Group 2: Language Acquisition
  5. Group 3: Individuals and Societies
  6. Group 4: Sciences
  7. Group 5: Mathematics
  8. Group 6: The Arts
  9. Extended Essay
  10. Theory of Knowledge
  11. CAS
  12. Pre-DP Preparation

Mental and Emotional Support

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The diploma is not worth losing yourself over. Below is a list of hotline lists and other information on mental and emotional health to support both yourself and others. If you are afraid that you or someone you know might hurt themselves or someone else, call your local emergency line (typically 911 or 999) or a suicide crisis line listed below immediately.

  • Samaritans: An international organisation devoted to help anyone in crisis cope and prevent suicide
  • Open Counselling: A list of emergency and suicide hotlines in over 70 countries
  • CSU Health Network: Resources for a host of mental and emotional health, such as but not limited to substance abuse, assault, and more

General Resources

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The Diploma Programme is... a lot, to say the least. This list is to help you wrap your head around the programme, as well as provide some generally useful resources for the DP.

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature

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"The courses offer a broad range of texts, and students grow to appreciate a language’s complexity, wealth and subtleties in a variety of contexts. Students take their studies in a language in which they are academically competent." - IBO Language & Literature Curriculum Page

Group 2: Language Acquisition

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"The main emphasis of the modern language courses is on the acquisition and use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes while, at the same time, promoting an understanding of another culture through the study of its language." - IBO Language Acquisition Curriculum Page

  • French - Philpot: Thematic units, practise papers, discussions for French, although the site does also have resources for English, German, Italian, and Spanish, but they are slightly less comprehensive and paywalled.
  • German - DW Learn German: Learn German through news articles and listening activities
  • Spanish - Study Spanish: Spanish grammar for a whole host of contexts, the website also provides pages for pronounciation and vocabulary

Group 3: Individuals and Societies

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"Studying any one of [the Group 3 subjects] provides for the development of a critical appreciation of: human experience and behaviour, the varieties of physical, economic and social environments that people inhabit, [and] the history of social and cultural institutions." - IBO Individuals and Societies Curriculum Page

Group 4: Sciences

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"Students explore the concepts, theories, models and techniques that underpin each subject area and through these develop their understanding of the scientific method." - IBO Sciences Curriculum Page

Group 5: Mathematics

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The aims of [the Group 5 courses] are to enable students to: develop mathematical knowledge, concepts and principles, develop logical, critical and creative thinking, [and] employ and refine their powers of abstraction and generalization." - IBO Mathematics Curriculum Page

  • Wolfram Alpha: Compute equations, relations, functions, and more using natural language or mathematical inputs. Useful for finding domains, ranges, graphs, derivatives, integrals, and a whole host of related properties for most functions.
  • Symbolab: Solver and grapher with step-by-step solutions to most types of functions and equations; stupidly powerful
  • Khan Academy: Brilliantly presented lessons on a whole host of mathematics, from kindergarten level to college. Also has tutorials for general STEM subjects (bio/chem/phys), programming, (L)SAT, Praxis Core, and MCAT prep, economics, and arts and humanities.
  • Pestle: Question bank for maths, STEM, ESS, and geography. Questions from old syllabus but still useful for practise.
  • Microsoft Math Solver: Step-by-step solutions to maths problems, free alternative to Photomath
  • Revision Village: All videos are free, after topic 2 of the question blanks you’re required to buy a membership, highly recommended by everyone
  • Christos Nikolaidis: Lecture notes, exercises, tests for both AI and AA courses
  • Textbooks: All the textbooks you'll be needing or using, good for practise questions

Group 6: The Arts

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"The subjects in the arts allow a high degree of adaptability to different cultural contexts. The emphasis is on creativity in the context of disciplined, practical research into the relevant genres." - IBO Arts Curriculum Page

  • Resources are being collected! Check back soon!

Extended Essay

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The Extended Essay is a self-directed research study, culminating in a 4000-word paper.

  • How To Write IB Extended Essay Reflections: Your reflections (RPPF) are worth 17% (6/34) of your EE's mark (yes, the moderators did the math). This guide will help you in writing your reflections and guide you to writing more insightful reflections that aren't just stating what you have achieved since your last reflection.
  • Clastify: Exemplar EEs, IAs, and TOK
  • Official IB EE Examples: EE examples with marker's commentary, and marks awarded to each paper
  • BetterCoursework: Repository of high-scoring IA, EE, and TOK examples

Theory of Knowledge

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An inquiry-driven component of the DP that explores the different ways of knowing and knowledge.

  • Clastify: Exemplar EEs, IAs, and TOK
  • BetterCoursework: Repository of high-scoring IA, EE, and TOK examples
  • TOK Topics: Resources for any TOK student or teacher, covering all AoKs, ways of knowing, and general course content.

CAS

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Creativity, Activity, Service. The three words IB students (typically) dread, but sometimes, (very rarely) love. CAS is regarded by the IB as "an important counterbalance to the academic pressures of the DP". Students are also required to undertake a CAS project which shows initiative, demonstrates perseverance, and develops skills such as collaboration, problem solving, and decision making.

Pre-DP Preparation

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If you are already nervous for the DP, take a deep breath and calm down. Spend your summer before DP relaxing, socialising, and enjoying life. That being said, if you are truly nervous for the two years ahead of you, you can take a look at the resources above for your courses and get a headstart. Here is also some advice generally echoed by alumni and current DP students:

  • Don't let the DP take over your life

    The DP is demanding, but don't let it become your one and only focus in life. Remember that you are more than this diploma. It does not define you. Try to maintain hobbies you had prior to DP and carry them over into the programme. Most conventional hobbies can count as CAS too, whether that be something artistic (creativity) or sporty (activity). Kill two birds with one stone- keep your mental sanity with your hobby, and be engaged in doing CAS at the same time.

  • Stay organised

    Seriously, stay organised and on top of your deadlines. Whether that be marking things into a calendar, having an over-engineered Notion setup, or even just scribbling things onto a sticky-note: whatever works for you. Every person is different, so you have to find what works for you. As long as it helps you keep track of and stay on top of your deadlines, you'll be set.

  • Foster good relationships with your teachers and peers

    It's important to create and maintain these good relationships. The people around you are going to be with you for the two years of the DP, and will be the ones helping you out throughout the programme. Teachers who like you may be more optimistic in their PGs. Friends will be there for you in your lowest moment, but also there with you in the end when you graduate. Cherish them.

  • Don't get discouraged by bad grades in the beginning

    Your grades will improve later on in the year. The IB markscheme can be a shock at first, especially if you're transferring in from another educational system. In addition, some of the material is completely new, and that's okay. Take your time to review the markscheme for each test/assessment, familiarise yourself with the nuances of the IB, and absorb teacher feedback as it comes.

  • Take advantage of your teachers' office hours

    Your teachers are here to help you, not torture you. They WANT to see you succeed, and if they have office hours, that means that they are more than willing to help you succeed. This also ties in well with developing a good relationship with your teachers, as it shows that you take initiative in your learning. Go to their office hours with specific questions prepared to get the most out of both of your times.

  • "Due tomorrow, do tomorrow"

    This is a mentality jokingly shared by many students. The DP does not stop, so it is important to get things out of the way as soon as they get assigned. Don't be that person to leave their 6 IAs and their EE until the last minute and pull 2 all-nighters to get them turned in for a mediocre grade. Make sure to space out your work. Take the summer between DP Year 1 and Year 2 to get your some of your IAs partially or fully completed, and finish writing your EE draft.

  • Google is your best friend

    About 95% of the resources on this list were found by their contributors through Google. You'd be surprised how easy it is to just search "IB math past papers" and find a treasure trove of them. The worst case scenario is that you just don't find anything, so give it a shot.

  • Listen to your DP2/alumni friends

    Of course, exercise common sense when taking in advice. But it goes without saying that 99% of the advice your seniors give will come from their own experiences and mistakes, and are worth taking in. Don't make the same mistakes as your seniors did. If you know someone who took or is taking the same course as you, ask them about anything related to the course. Every little bit helps.

  • Have some fun with the DP

    The DP is still high school after all. Have fun with your peers, and let yourself live once in a while during the DP. Cherish every moment- your two years in the programme will fly by.