Success with diagrams

  1. Home
  2. Success with diagrams

Drawing clearly labelled diagrams is not as easy as it seems in IB Biology.  Some students who conscientiously learn lots of labels on complex diagrams are frustrated when their diagrams lose marks in exams.

There are a few essentials that it's important to think about when learning or drawing diagrams. Read on to find out how to make these few simple changes, improve the quality of your diagram and save time in exams.

Success with diagrams.

These slides show some examples from the range of diagrams which could be required in exam questions.

By following just a few simple rules take your diagram drawing to the next level.  Whether it's a diagram, a biological sketch or an annotation these seven simple principles will help you archived higher marks.

Summary points

  • Simplify the diagram.
  • Include precise details.
  • Use unbroken lines.
  • Don't use shading.
  • Check proportions of size.
  • Draw realistic shapes.
  • Lines for labels are ruled, and touch.
  • Check label spelling.
  • Give a title.

Practice more exam style questions on the free InThinking Revision App

Get our free InThinking Revision App

Google play store and Apple app store.

With our mobile app even without a site subscription you can access hundreds of multiple choice questions specially written for IBDP Biology students.

Filter them by topic or sub-topic and chose between 5, 10, 15 or 20 questions to practise in a test.  You choose the questions from a bank of over 1000.

Alternatively you can train yourself with Biology terms using our flashcards. On your phone. It's revision in the palm of your hand so you can practice anywhere!

Further practice on StudyIB

Here are a few options for how you could use our resources for more practise:

 

Ultrastructure of cells 1.2

Learn and test your biological vocabulary for labels of cells using these flash cards

 

Membrane structure 1.3

Practice drawing a membrane with slides to summarise the essential understanding and skills. 

 

Proteins 2.4

Learn how to illustrate a short explanation of a peptide bond using text and images.
Test yourself with the drag and drop quiz or the exam style questions with model answers.

 

Transport in xylem 9.1 HL

Exam style questions test your understanding and skills in this topic. 
They contain model answers for each question.

 

Reproduction in plants 9.4 HL

The exam style questions test your biological vocabulary and the skill of drawing flower diagrams.