IB assessment FAQ for retake students
Before you decide to retake, it helps to understand what your result actually represents. This FAQ explains grading, grade boundaries, reviews, special circumstances, and the point where a new exam session may be more useful than waiting on the old result.
Three outcomes of a review: higher, unchanged or lower
A Category 1 enquiry upon results reviews external assessment for a subject. It is not a new exam and is not an individual student's request to re-mark their IA. Discuss the correct category with your coordinator before consenting.
| Question | Useful detail to bring |
|---|---|
| How close am I to another grade? | Final subject mark, next upper boundary and current lower boundary. |
| Which deadline applies? | Category 1: 15 September 2026 for May 2026; 15 March 2027 for November 2026. The school may close requests earlier. |
| What changes if my grade falls? | Check both diploma eligibility and any university condition. |
| Should I prepare a retake too? | Check host-school availability in parallel if waiting could close that route. |
The dates above follow the IB's Category 1 review instructions. Being one mark below a boundary is not evidence that a marking error occurred, and it is not a guaranteed grade increase.
Read the EUR category comparison for the difference between a re-mark, access to scripts and moderation. The deadline guide helps you plan the request, and the results-day checklist covers the wider decision.
How are IB exams graded?
IB exams use a criterion referenced grading system, meaning your grade reflects how well you met the assessment criteria, not how you performed relative to other students. Grades range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest) for each subject.
What is the role of Internal Assessment?
Internal Assessment (IA) typically accounts for 20 to 30% of your final grade, depending on the subject. It is marked by your teacher and then moderated by the IB to ensure consistency across schools worldwide.
IBretake does not arrange new IA, coursework, tutoring, oral preparation, or coursework supervision. If an existing IA mark or coursework component matters for your retake, confirm that separately with your previous school or the accepting IB coordinator.
Can I request a review of my exam?
Ask your coordinator about the appropriate Enquiry Upon Results category. Category 1 re-marks externally assessed work; Category 3 concerns school-cohort moderation, not an individual IA re-mark on demand. A Category 1 result can rise, fall or stay unchanged. Confirm consent, fees and the school's cutoff before requesting it.
What happens if I'm ill during an exam?
If you miss an exam due to illness or other valid circumstances, the IB can apply special consideration. This must be reported by the school with supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate). The IB may calculate your grade based on available evidence.
How are grade boundaries set?
Grade boundaries are set after all papers have been marked, by experienced examiners who review the difficulty of the exam and the quality of student responses. This means boundaries vary from session to session. A "harder" exam will typically have lower boundaries.
When are results released?
May session results are available on the candidate website from 6 July. For November sessions, results are issued to schools on 16 December and candidate access is released in staggered time intervals by time zone. Exact timing is shown in the candidate PIN report or confirmed by the coordinator.
Can my school appeal a grade?
Yes, but only the school (not the student directly) can file an appeal. Appeals are considered only after an Enquiry Upon Results has been conducted and the school believes the process was flawed.
Have more questions? Start one retake search and track it by case number.
Start Your Retake Search →