1. Focus on command terms and number of marks for each question
Here are a few examples of short answer questions that each uses a different command term and has a different number of marks allocated to it.
State what you did during the weekend. [1]
Outline what you did during the weekend. [2]
Evaluate what you did during the weekend. [6]
To effectively answer these questions, you need to understand what exactly is being asked. This can be done by understanding the command term used. And you also need to consider the number of marks for each question. A question with more marks requires a longer response than a question with fewer marks.
Check out this post on command terms that can help you get started on understanding exactly what each command term is asking for. -
2. Be comfortable with key words and terminology for the syllabus
Assessment Objective 1 of the IB Geography Course assesses knowledge and understanding. To do well in this, you need to not only know key words and terminology from the syllabus but be able to define, outline, explain and exemplify them.
Here is a set of flashcards for Unit 1 (Changing population), Unit 2 (Global Climate – vulnerability and resilience) and Unit 3 (Global resource consumption and security) that may be helpful to revise important key words and terminology.
3. Evaluate the infographic question in a holistic way
Section B of Paper 2 has a 10-mark question based on an infographic, based on content from Units 1, 2 and/or 3. There will be three or four short answer questions ranging from 1 to 6 marks. The best way to get high marks in Section B is to evaluate the infographic holistically. In my post on the Paper 2 Infographic Question I elaborate on this and give a few more extra tips for the infographic question.
4. Practice as many past papers as you can
One of the most effective ways to prepare for an exam is, on top of revising the content, is to practice doing exams. The more prepared you are and familiar with each exam, the higher the probability that you will do well. So, practice as many past papers as you can! For this, here are three practice papers for Paper 2 along with mark schemes that you can use to practice.
Good luck!
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