How to get a 7 in IB Biology HL

Hi there! I'm Sara and I got a 7 in IB Biology HL in the May 2025 session. Here are 5 of my best tips and tricks:

• Know the syllabus

Knowing what you have to learn is almost as important as the content itself. In the new syllabus, there are a lot of connections between topics that are worth noting. One thing that really helped me revise was going back and linking topics to each other.

For example, when I got to Reproduction, revisiting topics like Chemical Signaling helped me fully understand the role of hormones. Making these connections helps you understand the content instead of just memorizing it word for word.

• Draw it out

Just draw everything. Grab a piece of paper or a whiteboard and draw out the processes. Explain them to yourself. Being able to visualize each step will save you a ton of time.
If you take only one thing from all these tips — take this one.

• Don't ignore the NOS/AOS

They’re on the syllabus for a reason. In my opinion, this is what Paper 1B mostly focuses on. Some of it might seem like “common sense,” but it’s still worth reviewing from time to time.

IB values practical work, and this — along with the IA — is how they assess it. There’s no need to "study" it intensively, but make sure you read through it and understand it.

• Value all parts of the syllabus equally

In the May 2025 session, I remember coming out of the exam and everyone was shocked — most of the so-called “important” topics didn’t show up at all. In fact, some smaller topics ended up being worth a lot of marks.

So don’t prioritize based on what you think might come up. If it’s on the syllabus, it’s fair game — treat it as important.

• Don't over complicate your IA

The IB doesn’t expect you to win a Nobel Prize. Just choose something simple that you enjoy and do it well. You don’t need to design a complex experiment — just make sure you have enough to analyze and a clear rationale behind everything you do.

You can read my IA for free here.

• Keep your notes organized and easy to follow

I know this sounds like an obvious one, but it really is important. Having clear, structured notes makes revision so much easier, especially when exams are getting close and you don’t have time to dig through messy folders or rewrite things. Make your notes work for you, not against you.

If you want a shortcut, you can check out my full IB Biology HL notes — the exact ones I used to get a 7. They're organized by syllabus point and full of diagrams, explanations, and connections across topics.