For many students, moving into the IB Middle Year Programme in  UAE is like stepping into a whole new game. The subjects might feel familiar at first glance, but the way you’re expected to learn, think & present your work is very different from CBSE, IGCSE, or American systems. Here, your grades aren’t just about how much you know, they depend on how well you hit specific criteria in every task. And the tricky part? A lot of students end up losing marks over small, avoidable mistakes they don’t even realise they are making. 

1. Treating MYP Like a Traditional Curriculum 

A lot of UAE students carry old habits of rote learning. In MYP, simply memorising a definition in Science won’t get you top bands unless you connect it to real-life examples and show application. This shift from “remember and repeat” to “understand and apply” is something many miss early on. 

2. Ignoring Assessment Criteria 

MYP grading uses Criteria A-D for each subject. You could write pages of content but still score low if you don’t meet the descriptors. For example, in a lab report, great data without a solid evaluation section (Criterion C) can drop you two whole bands. 

3. Neglecting ATL Skills 

Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills like research, self-management & communication are built into projects and exams. Students who ignore them often score lower in assignments, even if their subject knowledge is good. In the UAE, busy school schedules make it harder to work on these skills consciously. 

4. Missing Command Terms in Questions 

Words like “explain,” “analyse,” or “evaluate” aren’t interchangeable in MYP. Each has a set expectation. Missing that means losing marks you could have easily secured. Internal moderators often cite this as a common reason for grade deductions. 

5. Leaving the Personal Project Too Late

The Personal Project (uses Criteria A-E) is a big scoring opportunity, but many students start it late. Without time for proper research and reflection, Criterion E marks drop sharply. With careful planning, it can become one of the easiest ways to boost your overall grade. 

6. Avoiding Interdisciplinary Learning 

MYP values linking knowledge across subjects. For example, using maths to support a science investigation or connecting history to literature. Students preparing in isolation lose easy marks in Interdisciplinary Units. 

7. Poor Time Management 

Balancing assignments, tests & activities is tricky. Without a proper planner, students either miss deadlines or rush submissions and rushed work almost always means lower grades. 

8. Not Seeking MYP-Specific Help Early 

Many students try to manage the IB Programme in UAE on their own or turn to high-scoring seniors for guidance. While this might help in understanding concepts, it often misses the real scoring lens of the programme. The IB has a very specific assessment style & without input from expert IB tutors who are trained in it, students can unknowingly prepare in the wrong direction. By the time they realise, a lot of crucial learning time has already been lost. 

Moving Forward with the Right Support 

Avoiding these common mistakes can put you ahead of your peers and make the IB MYP journey far smoother. At NowClasses, we take pride in being more than just an online tuition platform. Our experienced educators especially for IB Science & IB Maths tutor online guide students not only in IB MYP but also across a wide range of subjects and curriculums helping each learner reach their full potential. 

We offer flexible online classes for students anywhere in the UAE, and for those who prefer in-person learning, our physical education centre in JLT is easily accessible for families from JLT, JBR, Sharjah, DSO & nearby areas. Beyond this, we also provide homeschooling support, both online and offline, designed to suit different learning styles & schedules. 

Whether you join us virtually or walk into our centre, our focus remains the same; to offer personalised, result-oriented learning that truly makes a difference.

A lot of students in the UAE feel stuck when it comes to Math and Science in the IB Middle Years Programme. And honestly, it’s not always because they’re not studying enough. The IB Middle Years Curriculum is structured differently. It focuses more on understanding how & why things work rather than just memorizing formulas. Most students who have studied in more traditional systems before shifting to IB find it hard to adjust. But with the right approach, it’s possible to turn this around.

1. Understand What the Question is Really Asking

Every MYP assessment whether it’s a lab report or a math investigation is marked using a defined set of criteria. In MYP, command terms like “calculate,” “justify,” or “evaluate” aren’t random; they are directly tied to how your answers are graded. Many students lose marks not because they lack the knowledge, but because they don’t respond in the way the question expects.

Create a simple chart of common command terms along with the type of response each one requires & review it regularly. This small habit alone can lead to noticeable improvements in your scores.

2. Learn to Break Down Multi-Strand Questions

In MYP, a single question often combines different strands like geometry mixed with algebra, or chemistry linked with physics. Many UAE students transitioning from more traditional curriculums find this integration confusing.

What helps is mentally breaking the question into smaller parts. As you read, jot down quick margin notes such as: What concept is being tested? Which formula or law applies here? Is there a diagram or data I need to interpret first?

This habit improves clarity, reduces careless mistakes & makes long-response questions much more manageable.

3. Use Teacher Feedback as a Score-Booster, Not a Complaint Sheet

Students should track teacher feedback throughout the term. Comments such as “explain more clearly” or “method missing” reflect specific areas where marks were lost.

Improving even one of these points each week can lead to a 10-15% grade increase by the end of the term.

A useful approach is to create a “feedback tracker” in Google Sheets. Each time a graded task is returned, note the mistake and the action needed for improvement. This builds real progress over time, rather than relying on luck for better results.

4. Prepare Your Own Question Banks for Each Topic

This might sound time-consuming, but it’s gold. After you finish a topic, write your own 5–10 questions on it. Include both easy and challenging ones. Then solve them after a week.
This builds exam-level recall and helps you think like an examiner.

This is especially helpful in Math topics like linear equations or Science units like forces and motion. Many students in IB tuitions in Dubai are now encouraged to do this as part of active learning.

5. Use ATL Skills Like Study Tools

The IB talks a lot about ATL (Approaches to Learning), but most students ignore them. In reality, skills like time management, critical thinking & research can directly help you perform better. If you’re struggling with Math word problems, maybe you need to improve how you break down a question logically. These are things that can be learned with practice.

What Makes NowClasses a Trusted Choice for IB MYP Support

Students studying under the IB Middle Years Curriculum in the UAE often need some time & support to adjust, especially in Math and Science. Many parents also struggle to help because the system is very different from what they experienced in school.

At NowClasses, we work closely with MYP learners to simplify these challenges. Our IB tutoring in Dubai is structured, flexible, and focused on long-term understanding. Whether a student is learning in-person or online, we ensure they have access to teachers who genuinely understand the IB style of questioning, assessment & grading.

And it’s not just for IB. We support students across curriculums including British, American and more offering help in subjects like Math, Science, English, Economics etc from middle school to high school. Our goal is to provide academic support that fits each learner’s pace.

Many families across the UAE already trust us for consistent academic help and we keep growing through their recommendations. If structured learning, reliable teachers, and steady academic improvement matter, we’re here to make sure that support is always within reach.