In 90% of the questions across both IB exam papers, you’ll be asked to express your answers using three significant figures.
If you don’t do it correctly, you lose one point per question.
That simple.
That serious.
Think about all the work you’ve already done. The hours of study. The practice. The review sessions.
Are you really going to let all of that be affected by poor rounding?
Do one more calculation:
How many points could you lose in total if you mess this up on every question?
Maybe enough to drop a grade. Or miss out on that 6… or even that 7.
But if you’ve got this under control, then there’s nothing to worry about.
And if you’re not totally sure… maybe now’s the time to lock it in. Just maybe.
If not, feel free to close this page and move on.
Your decision.
Your points.
When working with data or solving problems in IB exams, expressing your final answers using the correct number of significant figures is essential.
Here’s a simple step-by-step method to help you master rounding to three significant figures: