I would almost prefer the rest of Year 13 to be just mock exams, because
it make the day so much simpler,
the bag lighter,
the homework load zero,
and stress reduced because
I actually sleep better (except for the first and last days) at night,
even though I may sleep considerably less.
However, I would definitely have preferred if everything was pushed back to 2009, because the exams did cast a great big shadow over the last days of what should be my holiday and worse, the beginning of the year 2010.
Looking back to Year 12, I saw that most of the stress then was justified as being "preparation for Year 13". However, it didn't really live up to its purpose.
Teachers did not set realistic questions for tests and exams, so when the exams came, it makes me feel rather helpless, as I have not encountered that question before in recent memory.
Time consuming things like Essays and those pesky knowledge theory lessons no one really wants to do were taking too much time. Since the ib and most ib students are so hung up on learning outcomes, the correct way to handle the ib would be to go through the learning outcomes very rapidly so as to avoid boring people and turning them off. The same goes for the essays. Actually go through everything so it is not a trial-and-error process of many redrafts.
Doing the above will then allow most coursework and assessment to be completed early in Year 13, therefore saving about a week and half to deal with mock exams. The proof that this works can be clearly observed by looking at what the most fanatical ib students do, compared to the rest of the grade.
There is a lot of untapped potential for the ib program in South Island school, but the planning is not exactly effective in getting this out. It is definitely realistic to say that there is a lot more to do in the ib compared to a-levels or local hk exams, and hence ib students will always be more busy than their counterparts.
However, the sooner in year 12 people realize just how hot hell can be, the better off they will be later. For better or for worse (I say for worse), ib is a high pressure, relentless system that the parents and students chose to do and that's the way to play the game.
