If I have only 3 days left and haven’t started yet, this is what I would do:
You’re still leaning on the 8 Principles (read those posts—they’re your lifeline!), but with time this tight, ditch the “Making Your IA Unique” step from the 7-day plan. This is full-on survivor mode: clone a sample report, write like mad, and submit.
Priority #1 is beating the deadline. Here’s how to make it happen:
3-Day Emergency Rescue Plan
Days 1: Sample Report Cloning (Principles 1-2)
Relevant Principles:
- Principle 1: Why Overcomplication Kills IB Scores
- Principle 2: Steal Like a Scholar
Main Focus:
- Pick a simple, clear sample report—nothing fancy.
- Read it cover to cover until you get it.
- Grab your own dataset and replicate the exact mathematical analysis from the sample. Same steps, same tools, just new numbers.
Success Criteria:
- Can you run the same analysis on your data and get reasonable results?
- If yes, you’re golden.
Remember:
- Once you choose a sample, commit—no second-guessing. Unless it’s totally off-base (like, wrong topic), stick with it. Finishing on time trumps perfection.
Days 2-3: Polishing and Submitting (Principles 7-8)
Relevant Principles:
- Principle 7: From Draft to Masterpiece
- Principle 8: Visuals That Wow!
Main Focus:
- Start writing ASAP—calculations done, results ready, go!
- Hammer out a rough draft, even if it’s messy. Ugly is fine; done is better.
- Proofread, then ask ChatGPT: “How can I improve my IB Math IA?”
- Add visuals (charts, graphs) from Principle 8, polish, and submit.
Success Criteria:
- First draft finished by Day 6, latest.
- Submitted by Day 7?
- You’ve won.
Remember:
- AI tools like ChatGPT are fair game—teachers use them too. Brainstorm, refine, but don’t copy-paste. You’ve got this!
Phew!
You’ve made it. In just three days, you’ve transformed a blank page into a submitted IA. It’s not about perfection—it’s about survival, and you’ve nailed it. Hit that submit button and take a deep breath—you’re done