How to Revise IB Math in the Last 4 Weeks Before Exams

Four weeks sounds like a long time. In IB, it isn't.

Most students spend those four weeks doing one of two things: either panicking and attempting every past paper they can find, or convincing themselves they have more time than they do. Neither approach is optimal.

Here is a structured four-week plan that actually works — built around how IB Mathematics is examined, not just how much content there is to cover.

The principle: targeted revision beats general review

The biggest mistake students make in the final four weeks is trying to re-learn everything. That's not revision — that's Year 1 again, compressed into a month.

Effective revision in the final four weeks is about three things: identifying your weakest areas, practising the right kind of questions, and building exam technique alongside content knowledge.

Week 1 — Diagnose and prioritise

Before you revise anything, find out what actually needs revising.

Do one full past paper under timed conditions. Mark it carefully using the mark scheme — not just for correct answers, but for every M, A, and R mark. Categorise every error: conceptual, method, presentation, or careless.

This gives you a map. The topics where you lost the most marks are your Week 1 priorities — not the topics you find most interesting or most comfortable.

Spend the rest of Week 1 going back to those weak topics. Not re-reading notes. Doing questions — specifically, questions from past papers on those topics, marked carefully after each attempt.

Week 2 — Systematic topic review

Work through the remaining topics systematically, spending roughly one session per topic. For each topic:

• Do 3–5 past paper questions on that topic
• Check each one against the mark scheme immediately after
• Note any recurring errors and write them down explicitly

The act of writing down your recurring errors — not just noticing them — is what makes them stick. A one-page error log that you review before every practice session is one of the highest-leverage revision tools available.

Week 3 — Full papers and exam technique

By Week 3, shift from topic practice to full papers. Do at least two complete papers this week — one Paper 1 and one Paper 2 — under strict exam conditions.

After each paper, spend as long on the review as you did on the paper itself. This is not optional. The review is where the learning happens.

This week also focus specifically on exam technique:

• Are you writing enough working for every question?
• Are you reading command terms before attempting each question?
• Are you finishing answers with conclusions where required?
• Are you managing time — not spending too long on any single question?

Week 4 — Consolidate and stay sharp

The final week is not the time for new learning. It is the time to consolidate what you know and stay sharp.

Do one more full paper early in the week. Review it. Address any final gaps.

In the last few days, focus on:

• Your error log — review it daily
• Formula booklet familiarity — know exactly where everything is
• Calculator fluency — practise the functions you use most
• Short, focused question sets on your weakest topics

Avoid cramming new content in the final 48 hours. Sleep, eat well, and trust the preparation you've done.

A final note on Paper 3 (HL students)

HL students should include at least one full Paper 3 attempt in weeks 2 or 3. P3 requires a different kind of preparation — extended investigation under time pressure — and many students leave it too late. For a full guide on approaching P3, read our Paper 3 article.

HAN is available anytime during your revision — ask it any past paper question and get an examiner-level explanation of exactly where the marks are. Try it free at askhanyong.com.