As I left my last mock exam in early April 2023, I sighed – I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me. A break is just what I needed. Thankfully, we were provided with a month-long study break before our final exams.

THE STUDY BREAK FELT, as it should, like a review of course materials that we had previously covered, yet had forgotten in the midst of completing our IAs, EEs and CAS – as always, while inching closer to the finals, we had so many overlapping deadlines!

I took advantage of the break to brush up on areas of my knowledge which felt adept. After the break, I went into my first exam – held on May Day (!) – feeling well-prepared, which is in no small part due to the safety net that was the study break.

WE HAVE RECENTLY LEARNT that the IB has made some adjustments for spring 2024: the exam period will be extended from three weeks to four.  This means less examination days with two different subjects – good! However, the finals would start 8 days earlier. Will the study break thus need to start earlier? According to our experience, those four weeks are absolutely needed!

Text: Aki Kankaanpää
Photos: Hanna Mauro