IB Geography SL exam-day guide
IB Geography SL · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID and admission documents
Bring the government-issued photo ID your school or exam centre requires, plus any admission slip or candidate number they issued. Requirements vary by centre, so confirm the exact documents and whether a printed copy is needed with your exam coordinator.
Candidate/registration number and school code
Write these down on paper as a backup in case you are asked to enter them on the answer booklet or multiple-choice sheet. Do not rely only on memory under pressure.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (two or more)
Paper 1 and Paper 2 are written responses. Use dark ink for legibility; check with your coordinator whether correction fluid or erasable pens are permitted, as many centres restrict them.
Pencils, eraser and sharpener
Needed for any multiple-choice answer sheet and for diagrams, sketch maps, or graphs in the structured and extended-response papers.
Ruler and protractor
Useful for drawing axes, scale bars, and reading graphs or charts in data-response questions. A clear ruler without notes on it is safest.
Simple calculator
Geography papers can involve calculations such as rates, densities, percentages, and index values. Confirm with your coordinator which calculator models are allowed and whether the memory must be cleared.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require stationery to be visible in a clear container. Confirm the centre's policy on bags and what must be left outside the exam room.
Analogue watch
A non-smart watch helps you pace yourself if the room clock is hard to see. Smartwatches and phones are usually prohibited at the desk; confirm the centre's rules on storing devices.
Water in a clear, label-free bottle
Check that drinks are allowed at your desk; some centres permit only transparent bottles with labels removed.
Review the command terms and paper structure the night before
Know the difference between 'describe', 'explain', 'analyse', 'evaluate', and 'discuss', and know how many questions and how much choice each paper offers. Confirm the current paper format and duration with your teacher, as these have changed across syllabus revisions.
Plan your case studies and examples
Have two or three well-prepared examples per major theme (for example, population, resources, or urban environments) that you can apply flexibly. Confirm the exact themes and options your class studied.
Know the start time and location
Confirm the room, arrival time, and whether there is a separate reading period. Arrive early enough to settle without rushing.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content. Review your summary notes, case-study sheets, and command-term definitions. Do one timed practice section per paper under exam conditions, then mark it and list your three weakest topics.
Target those weak topics with active recall rather than re-reading: cover your notes and write out definitions, processes, and examples from memory. Practise at least one data-response or graph-interpretation question, since these reward technique as much as knowledge.
Do a light review only: skim your case-study list and key diagrams. Pack your bag with ID, stationery, calculator, and water. Confirm the start time and room. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at a reasonable hour; do not cram late.
Eat breakfast and arrive with time to spare. Avoid last-minute discussion of topics you have not covered, as it raises anxiety. Once seated, read the front of the paper and any instructions carefully before writing.
Check the number of pages and questions, note any choice requirements, and read the instructions on the answer booklet. Budget your time by dividing the total minutes by the marks available, and note a target time for each section.
Answer the questions you are most confident about first if choice is allowed, but keep to your time budget. Match the length and depth of your answer to the mark allocation and the command term. Use diagrams and labelled sketches where they earn credit, and refer explicitly to named places and examples.
Check that you have answered the required number of questions, filled in all answer fields, and written your candidate number correctly. Use leftover time to add specific detail to weak answers rather than rewriting finished ones.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from the invigilator. Raise your hand if you need to speak, need more paper, or feel unwell; do not communicate with other candidates once the exam has started.
Bring the ID and admission documents your centre requires and keep them on your desk if instructed. Confirm the exact requirements with your exam coordinator, as they vary by centre.
Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices must usually be switched off and stored away from your desk. Confirm where devices must be left and what happens if one is found on you.
Toilet breaks are typically escorted and may not be allowed during the final part of the exam. Confirm your centre's policy before the day and plan accordingly.
Use only permitted equipment. Do not bring notes, annotated rulers, or programmable devices unless your coordinator has confirmed they are allowed.
Write in the language the paper is set in and use the command terms as written. Answers that ignore the command term, such as describing when asked to evaluate, often score poorly even if the content is correct.
Marks are awarded for accurate, specific geography: named places, processes, data, and clear terminology. Vague or generic statements earn little credit, so support claims with examples.
If you believe there is an error or ambiguity in the paper, tell the invigilator rather than guessing silently; they can note it for the examining body. Do not ask other candidates for help.