The following did not meet the required number of words (1,000-1,500) in the following exams:
*the number beside your name refers to the approximate number of words you used in the indicated assessment
Paper 1: (Commentary)
Alberto, Quirby – 770
Benitez, Javi – 540
Chua, Steven – 660
Co, Benedict – 680
Ibasco, Martin – 780
Mayoralgo, Aldrich – 630
Nacion, Kenneth – 770
Oxales, Alberto – 850
Tan, Matthew – 690
Ty, Edrich – 640
Yulo, David – 630
Paper 2: (Genre Essay)
Alberto, Quirby – 770
Chua, Steven – 900
Co, Benedict – 870
Ibasco, Martin – 770
Mayoralgo, Aldrich – 780
Nacion, Kenneth – 840
Ng, Kenrik – 830
Ngo, Timothy – 850
Ong, Jon Ridge – 790
Oxales, Alberto – 850
Tan, Matthew – 840
Tee, Kendric – 940
Ty, Edrich – 880
I was surprised to find out that half of the class did not manage to meet the required number of words. While I don’t blame you because all of our writing preparations only covered 70 minutes, you must make the necessary adjustments to elaborate more your arguments.
As always, preparing an outline can help you see the scope of your essay even before you write the essay.
Also please take note of the number of words that you have per line on the answer sheet. The number of lines in the front page is 20, while the back of the paper has 26. On the average, most of you write about ten words for every line. And since sometimes, because of paragraphing, one line would contain less than ten, we can approximate that, if your handwriting is normal, you’re using 450 words per sheet (back to back). You have to be able to use at least three sheets with five sides all used up, therefore (and remember, this is what I told you during the exams).
I browsed through some sample exams from previous IB students from other schools, and I was surprised that the least number of sheets used was FOUR! There was a guy who used up to seven sheets, back to back!
A student, whose paper doesn’t meet the word count, is automatically demerited three points in the Presentation criterion. So those who did not meet this criteria (listed above), you already have an automatic -3 out of the possible 25 points in your mock exams. Don’t worry though, because the range for getting a 7 is 20-25. Let’s just hope that you score high in the other criteria.
I’m not sure if we’re going to meet again as a class, so this is why I posted this here. I hope you will be guided well when you take up your official exams in May.
I will be showing you your mock exams in the upcoming PTSC. Please do not be absent on this day.
If you have any questions or clarifications, please reply below. Thanks!
– Mr. Nicolay
Xavier School I.B. English 2012 
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