Doing past papers is 30% of the value. Marking them properly is the other 70%. The 5-St
How to Self-Mark IB Past Papers Like an Examiner
Doing past papers is 30% of the value. Marking them properly is the other 70%.
The 5-Step Method
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Mark blind first — estimate your marks before checking
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Apply mark scheme strictly — if it doesn't match, you didn't earn it
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Categorize every lost mark — content gap, wrong command term, incomplete, careless, or time pressure
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Write perfect answers — use the mark scheme to write what a full-mark response looks like
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Track patterns — after 3+ papers, identify your consistent weak spots
Key Mark Scheme Features
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Award marks [1]: specific fact required
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Accept/Reject notes: what alternative answers work
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Error carried forward: you can earn marks in part (b) even if part (a) is wrong
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Command terms: state ≠ describe ≠ explain ≠ evaluate
The Examiner Mindset
Before answering any question, ask: "What would the mark scheme look for here?" Structure your answer to hit those exact points. This adds 5-10 marks to your total.
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Self-marking IB past papers FAQs
Can an IB student accurately mark their own past paper?
Self-marking can identify clear omissions, method errors, command-term problems, and timing issues, but it does not reproduce trained examiner judgement. Where the markscheme allows alternatives or a response requires qualitative judgement, record uncertainty and ask a teacher to review a small sample.
Is an IB markscheme a model answer?
Not necessarily. A markscheme records how marks are awarded and may include acceptable alternatives, notes, or criteria. It should not be copied into a memorized response or treated as the only possible wording for every valid answer.
What should go in an IB past-paper error log?
Record the question reference, marks lost, error type, evidence from the markscheme or criteria, the specific repair action, and a reattempt date. Useful error types include knowledge, method, command term, evidence, interpretation, communication, timing, and avoidable execution errors.
Should students change an answer while marking it?
Keep the original attempt visible and make marking notes in a different colour or layer. Otherwise the final page can hide what the student actually produced under the original conditions, making later diagnosis unreliable.
When should a teacher check a self-marked paper?
Ask for help when a mark depends on interpretation, an alternative answer is not covered clearly, a rubric is being applied inconsistently, or the same error persists after correction. A focused sample with a specific question is more useful than asking a teacher to remark every practice response.
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