Hi Team, at the Central West Leadership Academy, we believe that feedback is one of the most powerful tools we can give students on their learning journey. It builds confidence, sharpens understanding, and, most importantly, gives students clarity about their next steps. In our International Baccalaureate (IB) program, where inquiry, rigour and reflection sit at the core of student growth, quality feedback is not just helpful. It is essential.

One area where students often benefit from targeted feedback is in preparing for IB Chemistry assessments. The syllabus is complex, the expectations are high, and success requires more than content knowledge. It also requires exam literacy, careful time management, and a deep understanding of how to apply learning in unfamiliar contexts.

To support this, I recently created a YouTube video that guides students through a mock IB Chemistry exam. It was developed as a follow-up to our recent school-based examinations and is part of our post-exam feedback and reflection process. Students use this video to revisit challenging questions, compare their responses to model answers, and consolidate their understanding of key concepts. The video focuses on the following syllabus subtopics:

  • S1.1 and S1.3 to S1.5 (Stoichiometric Relationships)
  • S2.1 to S2.4 (Atomic Structure)
  • S3.1 (Periodic Trends)
  • R.1 and R2.1 to R2.3 and R3.1 (Stoichiometric Calculations and Lab Skills)
    (Note: S2.4.4 and S2.4.5 are not included in this video)

The video is not just a list of answers. It models how to think through exam-style questions, how to approach multi-mark problems, and how to use the IB Chemistry Data Booklet effectively. It also explains the logic behind the marking, highlights common misconceptions, and provides clear strategies for improving performance.

You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/0SAwI_-z0oQ

As a Chemistry teacher and the Director of Teaching and Learning at the Academy, I am always looking for ways to make the learning process more transparent and empowering. This video is one of the ways we support our students in becoming more independent and reflective learners. These qualities are a key part of the IB Learner Profile.

We encourage students to:

  • Pause the video and attempt each question before watching the explanation
  • Reflect on their own reasoning as they review the worked examples
  • Apply the problem-solving strategies in their own exam preparation

This resource is freely available to all students studying IB Chemistry, whether they are at CWLA or elsewhere. Our hope is that it helps clarify the assessment process, reduce exam stress, and build confidence through meaningful feedback. It is one more way we aim to turn assessment into an opportunity for growth.

If you have any feedback at all, I’d love to hear it.