Holidays during the International Baccalaureate programme are not meant for burnout or complete disengagement. They are high-leverage windows to consolidate content, fix weaknesses, and move one grade boundary higher before mocks or finals.
This IB holiday study plan is designed for 2–4 week breaks and works for both SL and HL students.
Step 1: Define the Objective of This Holiday
Before creating a schedule, decide:
Are mocks approaching?
Are IAs due soon?
Are you behind in any subject?
Are you targeting a 6 or 7 in specific subjects?
Holiday study must be goal-based, not routine-based.
Option A: 2-Week IB Holiday Plan
Daily Study Time:
4–5 focused hours (not 10+ unproductive hours)
Weekly Structure:
Day 1–2
Topic revision (Subject 1 & 2)
Concept clarity
Short answer practice
Day 3
Past paper practice (timed sections)
Day 4
Error analysis + weak topic repair
Day 5
Subject 3 focus (essay or problem-solving subject)
Day 6
IA work (research, data analysis, structure improvement)
Day 7
Light revision + review mistakes
Repeat for Week 2 with increased timed practice.
Option B: 4-Week IB Holiday Plan (Ideal for Major Breaks)
Week 1 – Foundation Strengthening
Complete syllabus audit
Fix weakest topics
Update summary notes
IA drafting progress
Week 2 – Application Phase
Timed section practice
Command term drills
Essay structure practice
Data analysis training (for sciences)
Week 3 – Simulation Phase
2–3 full past papers per subject (spread across days)
Strict exam timing
Self-marking using markschemes
Week 4 – Correction & Refinement
Rewrite low-scoring answers
Improve structure
Memorize key case studies / quotes / formulas
Final IA polishing
Daily Study Structure (High Efficiency Model)
Break (15–20 mins)
Break
Quality matters more than total hours.
Subject-Specific Holiday Focus
IB Mathematics
Redo incorrect question types repeatedly
Practice non-calculator logic
Review formula application deeply
IB Sciences
Practice structured explanations
Improve graph interpretation
Strengthen uncertainty calculations
IB English
Memorize high-value quotes
Practice thesis clarity
Write timed introductions
IB Humanities
Strengthen evaluation
Add counter-arguments
Practice structured essay outlines
IA Strategy During Holidays
Do not ignore Internal Assessments.
Holiday goals for IA:
Improve research question clarity
Refine analysis
Deepen evaluation
Strengthen conclusion linkage
Strong IAs reduce final exam pressure significantly.
Common Mistakes During IB Holidays
Overloading first few days → burnout
Ignoring weakest subject
Studying passively (reading only)
No timed practice
No structured revision plan
Consistency beats intensity.
If Mocks Are After the Holiday
Your final week should include:
Full exam simulations
Time management discipline
Error pattern tracking
Command term precision
Mock exams should feel familiar, not stressful.
Sample Weekly Allocation (6 Subjects)
Subject | Hours/Week |
|---|---|
Higher Level 1 | 6–7 hrs |
Higher Level 2 | 6–7 hrs |
Higher Level 3 | 5–6 hrs |
Standard Level 1 | 4–5 hrs |
Standard Level 2 | 4–5 hrs |
Core (TOK/EE/CAS/IA) | 3–4 hrs |
Adjust based on weakness and upcoming deadlines.
How to Move from a 5 to 7 During Holidays
Focus on:
Writing structured answers
Improving evaluation depth
Practicing under timed pressure
Reviewing markschemes carefully
Fixing recurring mistakes immediately
Grade improvement during holidays is realistic if preparation is analytical.
When Structured Guidance Helps
If you:
Feel lost about where to start
Have multiple weak subjects
Struggle with exam timing
Need IA improvement
Expert planning and mock strategy sessions through institutions like TEMPERA EDUcation can provide structured direction and measurable progress.
Final Advice
An IB holiday should not feel like school. It should feel strategic.
Study with clarity.
Track performance.
Correct mistakes quickly.
Practice under real conditions.
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