When exam passage rates for the graduates of the Australian International School’s three academic pathways came in, the school had plenty to celebrate. For the third year in a row, students in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program had a 100% pass rate. And, the average score was 35.2, an impressive 6 points higher than the global average. We chatted with one of the school’s highest achievers, Alicia Wong, who achieved the top IB score of 45 points. She shares her experience on how she achieved this.
How did you feel when you achieved the IB top score of 45/45?
When I received the phone call about my results, I was shocked and couldn’t believe it. I had put in a great amount of effort throughout the course of two years to prepare for the exams. To hear that I had achieved the top mark was a great testament to the fact that hard work does pay off! The IB pathway has certainly prepared me for university, so I am excited for my next academic endeavour, knowing that, with this score, the possibilities are endless.
Tell us what you did to prepare.
Preparation required a lot of prioritisation and effective time management. In terms of revising, I set-up a study timetable so that I was able to cover all of the content. I left enough time to ask my teachers questions on anything I was unsure of. I also completed a substantial number of past papers to ensure I was comfortable and familiar with the exam format and style of questions. For some subjects, I even attempted all the past papers from 1999 until 2018!
With that being said, I tried not to over-work and stress myself out in the final weeks leading up to the exam. At the end of the day, I had to trust in the preparation I had consistently done throughout the past two years.
What are your future plans?
I am currently waiting to hear back from some universities. My ambition is to study Medicine in Australia, either doing a combined double degree or a postgraduate degree. After completing that, I hope to have the opportunity to travel around the world to gain new experiences. I’d also like to get involved in medical services for less fortunate communities who lack access to healthcare. I also want to continue my YouTube channel “studycollab: alicia” and website (study-collab.com), which provides students worldwide with useful tips and resources about organisation and effective revision.
How has AIS helped you to achieve your goals?
I started at the Australian International School in 2013 – Year 7. Being in the school for six years, I attribute a great deal of my success to the wonderful teachers I had there, especially in the last two years. My teachers were not only thorough in their approach, but also extremely supportive. Their undeniable passion for teaching was very inspiring and motivated me to work hard to pursue my goals and passions. They also supported a number of my interests in community service and leadership. The school gave me the chance to organise fundraising events for different charities and partake in life-changing trips to underprivileged communities in India and Cambodia. All these experiences, and the people I have met through them and at AIS, have truly shaped me into the person I am today.
Did you know? AIS has three academic pathways: the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC), International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) and Vocational Education and Training (VET).
Written in collaboration with:
AIS
1 Lorong Chuan
6664 8127 | ais.com.sg
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