Budgeting for IB retake exams
IBretake pricing is fixed for students: EUR 150 registration plus EUR 800 for every exam, with no multi-exam discount, converted to the checkout currency where needed. The budget still needs room for travel, documents, currency conversion, and the cost of waiting too long.
A worked two-subject budget: EUR 2,490
The example below separates the actual IBretake formula from invented travel allowances. It is a planning exercise, not a school quote or a claim about typical travel prices. Replace every allowance with a price for your own dates before committing.
| Budget line | Example EUR amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Registration + 2 selected exams | 1,750 | 150 + (2 × 800) |
| Return transport | 180 | Illustrative allowance |
| 4 nights × EUR 90 | 360 | Illustrative accommodation |
| Local travel and food | 120 | Illustrative allowance |
| Buffer | 80 | Illustrative contingency |
| Total | 2,490 | 1,750 + 180 + 360 + 120 + 80 |
The number of overnight stays depends on the gap between your first and last paper, not simply the number of subjects. Two papers separated by a week can produce a larger travel bill than three papers on consecutive days. Check the November 2026 timetable or May 2027 timetable before comparing hotels.
Keep a second column for amounts already paid and a third for cancellation terms. A refundable room can have a different risk profile from a cheaper non-refundable room. Do not count an unresolved refund request as cash available today. See the full fee calculation before increasing or reducing your subject list.
Budget by retake scenario
The right budget depends on the shape of the retake, not only the number of subjects. The IBretake fee is predictable, while travel, document checks, deadlines, and timetable gaps can still change the real family budget.
- One subject, same country: plan EUR 150 registration plus EUR 800 for the exam, then add local transport and any document checks.
- Two or more subjects: add EUR 800 for every exam, with only one EUR 150 registration fee for the request and no multi-exam discount.
- Different country: add flights, accommodation, local transport, meals, visa or entry requirements, and timetable gaps between papers.
- Remark plus retake backup: keep money and time aside in case the results review does not change the grade before the retake window closes.
- IA or coursework uncertainty: do not pay assuming a new school can supervise internal work. Confirm this separately before building the budget.
Questions to answer before paying anyone
Before you pay a search service, a school, travel provider or document office, write down the decision the retake is meant to unlock. Is it the Diploma award, one HL prerequisite, a university condition, credit, a scholarship, or simply a stronger score? The answer changes the sensible budget.
- Which subject and level actually changes the outcome?
- Does the university accept this retake session and result date?
- Can the host school register the exact subject, level and session?
- Does your checkout match EUR 150 registration plus EUR 800 per exam, converted to your currency?
- Can travel dates survive timetable changes or multiple papers spread across weeks?
1. Fixed IBretake Price
The student checkout formula is simple: EUR 150 registration plus EUR 800 for every exam, with no multi-exam discount, converted to the checkout currency where needed.
2. What Can Still Change the Budget
Each selected exam adds EUR 800 before valid promotions. There is no automatic multi-exam discount. Outside the platform price, budget for travel, accommodation, document checks and bank charges, and consider deadline pressure.
If a subject has IA, oral, practical or coursework complications, confirm the academic handling separately before assuming the retake is straightforward.
3. IBretake Fixed Student Price
For students using IBretake, the checkout price does not vary by school, country, session or subject combination. It covers the structured search and placement workflow:
- One student request and candidate profile
- Host-school matching for the selected countries
- Subject, level and session details sent in one structured request
- Coordinator review, acceptance flow and payment tracking
The fixed student price is EUR 150 registration plus EUR 800 for every exam, with no multi-exam discount, converted to the selected checkout currency where applicable.
That fixed formula keeps the search budget predictable even when different schools, countries, sessions, or subject combinations are involved.
4. Late Registration Penalties
The IB has strict registration deadlines. If your school submits your registration after the standard deadline but before the late deadline, late fees can apply. After the late deadline, registration may no longer be possible.
5. IBretake Package and Refund Planning
IBretake shows its package price before checkout: EUR 150 registration plus EUR 800 per exam, before any valid promotion. Your search starts only after IBretake confirms receipt of payment; eligible coordinators in your selected countries can then review it.
Refunds open 10 calendar days after IBretake admin confirms successful payment processing, provided no school has accepted you. The moment a school accepts, the placement-search service is complete and contractual refunds are no longer available.
6. Hidden Costs to Watch For
- Document authentication: Some schools require notarized copies of your previous IB results or ID documents.
- Travel and accommodation: If the exam school isn't local, factor in flights, hotels, and meals for the exam period, usually 3 to 4 weeks in May or November.
- Cancellation timing: If you withdraw after a school accepts and registration work has started, refunds may no longer be available. Check the refund point before final registration.
- Results review fees: If you want an Enquiry Upon Results after results, the coordinator should confirm the current fee.
What an itemized school quote should clarify
A useful payment screen should be more than a total amount. Check the registration line, per-exam line, selected subjects, selected session, currency, refund point, and payment deadline. If paying in another currency, record the exchange rate and bank-transfer charges on the day you pay.
If two locations look similar, choose the option with clearer written instructions, realistic travel, and confirmed subject availability. The IBretake price stays fixed; a route that misses a deadline or cannot host the correct level is not actually cheaper.
7. Sample Budget Breakdown
Here is the IBretake fixed-price formula for a two subject retake:
- IB assessment fees: confirmed by the accepting school
- Selected subject fees: confirmed by the accepting school
- Registration fee: EUR 150
- Exam fees: EUR 800 per exam, with no multi-exam discount
- IBretake total before travel: EUR 1,750 for two exams, converted at checkout where applicable
Add travel costs if the school is abroad, and the total can easily reach a much higher amount for a full retake session.
8. How to Reduce Costs
- Register early to avoid late fees.
- Select countries you can realistically reach because travel can cost more than the retake search itself.
- Avoid duplicate searches by choosing the exact subjects and session before checkout.
- Resolve IA or coursework separately because IBretake does not arrange IA or coursework support.
- Keep subjects in one request where practical so the fixed registration fee is paid once; every exam remains EUR 800 and no multi-exam discount applies.
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