IB Music SL exam-day guide
IB Music SL · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm your exact component schedule with your school's IB coordinator
IB Music SL assessment is spread across components (for example a listening/performing-linked exam paper and internal performing/composing work) and the timetable differs by session and school. Confirm the dates, start times, room numbers, and whether each part is externally scheduled or internally set by your teacher. Mark as needs_review: do not rely on a remembered date.
Bring your IB candidate number and personal details as instructed
You will usually be asked to write your candidate number rather than your name on externally assessed material. Confirm with your coordinator what identification is required and how it must be shown on scripts or recording paperwork.
Bring the stationery the provider permits
Typically black or blue pens, pencils, an eraser, and a ruler. For a written listening paper you may need a pencil for any machine-readable answer sheet. Confirm permitted items with your coordinator; do not assume highlighters, correction fluid, or notes are allowed.
Bring an analogue watch if you want to track time
Many venues do not allow phones in the exam room, and some do not guarantee a visible clock. Confirm with the provider whether a watch is permitted and whether smart watches are banned.
Leave phones and smart devices outside the exam room
Assume phones, smart watches, and any device that can store or transmit information are prohibited in the exam room unless the provider explicitly says otherwise. Confirm the exact rule with your coordinator.
Prepare your scores and recordings for internal performing/composing assessment
If your internal assessment includes a performance recording or composition submission, confirm with your teacher the file formats, labelling, deadline, and whether you must submit scores or a recording log. Keep backup copies in two locations.
Review the prescribed works and your own study notes the way your course requires
For the listening/musical perception element, know which works or areas of study your class covered and be able to identify and discuss musical elements, context, and comparisons. Confirm with your teacher which works are in scope for your session.
Practise writing under timed conditions
Do at least one full timed run of the written paper using past-paper-style tasks your teacher supplies, and check how many marks and how much time each section carries. Confirm the paper structure and duration with your coordinator rather than guessing.
Plan travel and arrival with a buffer
Aim to arrive well before the start time so you can settle, use the washroom, and complete any seating or ID checks. Confirm the arrival time and venue entrance with your coordinator.
Check what you may bring for any listening component
If the exam involves listening to recorded extracts, you normally do not bring your own audio equipment. Confirm with the provider whether headphones, instruments, or other items are permitted or supplied.
Read the front of the paper and any instructions carefully
Check the number of sections, the marks per question, and any choice of questions before you start writing. Note any instruction to answer in a particular language or format.
Know the score boundaries and what each section is worth
Confirm with your teacher how the components are weighted and what proportion of the final grade each contributes, so you can allocate revision time sensibly.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating. Review your summaries of the prescribed works or areas of study, practise identifying musical elements by ear, and do one timed written paper under exam conditions. Check with your coordinator that your internal assessment files and recordings are submitted or ready, and confirm the exam timetable, room, and permitted items. Protect sleep; do not attempt all-night revision.
Do light review only: key terms, forms, genres, instrumentation, and comparison points. Re-read your own notes rather than starting new material. Pack your stationery, candidate details, and any permitted items. Confirm transport and arrival time. Avoid comparing preparation with classmates in a way that raises anxiety. Get a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive early with buffer time. Leave prohibited devices at home or hand them in as instructed. Do a short, calm review of headings and key terms, not full essays. Use the washroom before entering the room, and follow seating and ID instructions exactly.
Read the instructions and all questions before writing. Allocate time according to marks, and keep an eye on the clock or permitted watch. For listening questions, note the extract number and focus on the specific element asked about rather than writing everything you know. Answer in the required format, use musical terminology precisely, and leave time to check that you have attempted every required question and written your candidate details correctly.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from invigilators and your coordinator about identification, seating, and what may be on your desk. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, ask before the exam starts rather than assuming.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, or any device that can store or transmit information into the exam room unless the provider explicitly permits it. Confirm the exact policy with your coordinator.
Academic honesty applies to all work, including compositions, programmes, and written responses. Do not copy others' work or present existing music as your own composition without the required acknowledgement; confirm citation expectations with your teacher.
If you need to leave the room during the exam, follow the invigilator's procedure. Confirm with the provider in advance whether supervised breaks are available and how time is handled.
If you are ill or unable to attend, contact your coordinator immediately; do not simply miss the paper. Confirm the provider's procedure for illness and any special consideration.
Marks are awarded for what is written or submitted, so answer the question asked, use specific musical evidence, and make sure your candidate details are correct. Confirm how marks are allocated across sections with your teacher.
Keep to the published deadlines for any internally assessed performing or composing work. Late submission rules are set by the provider; confirm them with your coordinator rather than assuming a grace period.
Do not discuss or share the content of the paper with others until the provider permits it. Confirm the confidentiality expectations with your coordinator.