Dulwich College Beijing’s Perfect Scorers Share Their IB Tips and Advice

The IB results are in — and whether it’s achieving personal bests or perfect scores, our graduating students have shown incredible resilience, determination, and a commitment to growth throughout their IB journey.

Among this exceptional cohort, two students—Carmen de Z and Rachel M—earned the maximum 45 points, placing them among the top *0.5% of IB Diploma candidates worldwide. Both describe the results as “surreal” and are quick to thank their families, teachers, and friends for supporting them every step of the way.

The IB is a challenge:  Rest, Resilience, Repeat

For Carmen, what challenged her the most during her IB journey wasn’t one subject — it was that it was a juggling act. She had to balance her different responsibilities, from coursework, university applications to family, friends, religion, and commitments, all while also taking care of herself. “Don’t see IB as this monster coming at you. Break things down into small, manageable tasks — down to each subject, to each unit, to each task. Be kind to yourself because if not, you will burn out. Remember that everyone’s in this together, supporting one another.”   

Rachel still vividly recalls the second week of her IB exams, when she had 10 exams with two different subjects every day. “As I finished each paper, I felt proud of myself, knowing I’d given my best in every one. The key was staying prepared in advance to avoid last-minute cramming and managing enough sleep.”

Know thyself — and your study style

Carmen shared three tips that helped her during the IB: time management, making the most of your resources, and knowing your study style.

She managed her time by relying on schedules and calendars. “Lists alone aren’t enough. I managed my tasks by spacing them out and prepare for tests and coursework as early as possible.”

For her fellow DCB students, she advised: don’t be shy. “Ask your friends and teachers for advice and make full use of all the resources available— physical spaces and materials as well. I often asked my teachers to review my essays and coursework. They’re usually very happy to help when they see a student who’s passionate and willing to put in the effort to excel.”

She added, “Prioritise your study strategy and figure out what works best for your brain. I study best alone in my room with no distractions—that’s just how I am, and that’s what I need.”

But every student’s journey is unique, like how Rachel prefers studying in calm environments such as cafés or libraries with her friends. “Being physically away from distractions and being able to ask each other questions whenever we got stuck made studying more fun and effective.” She also prepared for her exams by building a strong foundation of concepts by taking notes from textbooks before moving on to past paper practice. 

Focus on Growth, Not Just Scores

Both students shared that the real goal is self-growth—not just a number.

For Rachel, every step, from keystones and midcourses to mock exams, was a chance to grow. “Comparing yourself to others is meaningless. When I felt stuck or frustrated, I never stopped trying, and I believe that consistency led to success. So trust the process and focus on yourself!” 

Now back in Europe, Carmen reflected on how the experience shaped her, saying her real aim was to reach her minimum required score for Oxford and did not expect a perfect score. “Though the IB may be tough and seem impossibly challenging at times, it has been a transformative journey for me. It pushed me to think critically and embrace diverse perspectives, shaping not only my academic abilities but also my character. I feel more prepared for university, equipped to tackle complex problems and collaborate with others from different backgrounds. This programme has truly opened my eyes to the world, and I’m grateful for the growth it has inspired in me."

Good luck to our future IB test-takers!

Carmen and Rachel exemplify what our students have shown throughout the IB journey: that with focus, self-awareness, and support, anything is possible.

Congratulations once again to our Class of 2025! And to those just beginning, remember: Trust yourself. Trust the process. You’re capable of more than you think!