The Secret Art of Passing the Ib Diploma: Why 1 Out of 4 Students Fail + How to Avoid Being One of Them

by Alexander Zouev

Due to the unprecedented success of his previous IB guidebook, 45 Tips, Tricks, and Secrets for the Successful International Baccalaureate [IB] Student, Alexander Zouev has returned to compile a book that reveals more secrets to succeeding in the rigorous academic program. This is a book aimed at students struggling in the IB Diploma program who wish to maximise their potential with minimal hassle. In this to-the-point manual, students will uncover all of the secrets that will allow them to gain 35+ points with relative ease. This book is filled with practical hints, tips, and suggestions that most IB students ignore.

232 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2019

About the author

Alexander Zouev completed the IB Diploma Program in 2007 with a total of 43 points. He went on to read Economics and Management at the University of Oxford and thereafter worked at one of the largest independent IB tutoring agencies before tutoring freelance. He has published seven guidebooks specifically for the IB Diploma, and has tutored over 200 students in IB Economics and Mathematics, as well as overseen hundreds of Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay assignments. Over the last year, he has developed a smartphone app for IB students to connect with each other to ask and answer questions. The smartib app has helped over 10,000 IB students in its first year.

Reviews

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

i know these kind of books are not supposed to be gripping — it did what it had to do and it did it well because i realized that i knew nothing about how the ib works. i do have to say, the author is such an annoying millenial, i wanted to bully him from the moment he wrote about being in starbucks waiting for his ‘crapaccino’

[Ian McHugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent "one stop shop" for all things IB Diploma. Advice is useful and concise and accessible. Crucially, the book outlines that, basically, success in the IB Diploma Programme or on IB Courses is down to hard work of students. The guidance on how to approach studies will undoubtedly help but there is no substitute for graft.

[oʞoʞ ♡♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i annotated a lot of stuff. slightly peeved about how it didn't elaborate on TOK at all but overall I feel like it motivated me and simultaneously made me believe that I can ace the IBDP.

[Elaine Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author makes some very good points but there are quite a few errors and not all the information is correct. As a IBDP librarian and EE Coordinator I feel the need to put comments in the margin for any of our students checking this book out!

[Ally :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some good points and definitely motivated me to put the effort in. However it also freaked me out with statistics about how many students fail and such - but I read it for every 1 out of 4 good points.

[Edla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty great. It provides a thorough explanation of the IBDP and areas recommended to spend extra time on. My only problem is that it’s slightly outdated such as the CAS chapter.

[Paulina Bajurna · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice book, nice tips (will try them out in 2 years 🙃)

[Arabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

helpful but this book lowkey scared me into thinking I won’t pass because of all the stats 😭😭 (guys especially HL history?? HELP???) but genuinely so well written and great advice

[Maith · Rating 5 out of 5]

the perfect book for all things ib and studying! thank you anagha <33

[Liza B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, a great help in navigating the ins and outs of IB (a cheat sheet, if you will, of sorts). Had I read it before I completed the IB Diploma, it would have done wonders, no doubt. Hats off to you, Zouev!

[Alex Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super useful for students looking to get ahead