The IB Weekly Study System: What Top Students Actually Do
Top IB students don't study more — they follow a weekly system. Here are the 5 components.
1. Sunday Planning (30 min)
Plan the entire week: deadlines, specific study blocks, hardest task first.
2. Daily Active Recall (20 min/subject)
Flashcards, practice questions, blank page method. 3x more effective than re-reading.
3. 48-Hour Review Rule
Review class notes within 48 hours. Wait a week and you've forgotten 70%.
4. Weekly Deep Work (2h × 2)
Two focused sessions per week. No phone, no multitasking. Outperforms 10 hours of distracted study.
5. Friday Reflection (15 min)
What worked? What didn't? Where am I falling behind?
Total: ~10-12 hours/week
Less than most students think. The key is every hour is intentional.