22nd October - How to Answer an IB Section A question

The G12 students are deep in studying their set works for the IB exam. Having completed the study of the Bach Brandenburg concerto. I thought it would be useful to do some open book exam questions with the G12 students and how to approach the section A question. 
 
This is quite a general explanation of how to approach the question. However, the simple steps should help students develop their practices and focus their time when in a pressured environment. 

IB Music Section A, Exam Preparation - Strategies for Success,
 

1. Time Management. This is important when answering the question. You should practice and learn to give each question the same amount of time. This is 30 minutes for each question.
2. Focus on what the question is asking you. Is it asking you to look specifically at a certain section of the music. Has it used specific musical terminology? What do you understand from the specific music terminology given? Highlight any key words, you may want to use them in your answer to demonstrate you have understood the question.
3. Display your knowledge and understanding. Explain your ideas and what you know in relation to the question
4. Find examples from the score, back up your ideas.
5. Keep refering back to the question. This will keep your focus on what the question is about.
6. Check your music terminology, question if you are using the right terminology to explain your ideas.
7. Draw a conclusion/conclusions. Make sure you are refering back to the question.

 
Leaving the exam room do not dwell on what you have written. It is in the past, you can be safe in the knowledge you prepared the best you could, and you gave it all of your effort.
 
By Christopher Hoddinott