Can you retake IB exams at a different school?

Yes, but the useful answer is not just "yes." You need a school that is authorised for the Diploma Programme, willing to host an external retake candidate, able to offer your subjects and levels, and still inside its internal registration window. That is the part students usually underestimate.

Here's how to make it happen.

Five confirmations to get from a new host school

Authorisation alone is not proof that a school will accept your request. The IB says schools are not obliged to accept retake candidates. Use the following checklist to make an offer of help specific enough to act on.

1. Subject and level: Biology SL is not interchangeable with Biology HL; name every selected subject separately.
2. Session and examination language: ask for the exact session and language of assessment, not just whether the school “offers IB”.
3. Candidate record: confirm how the school will identify and link your previous session results.
4. Coursework position: get coordinator guidance on existing marks, curriculum changes and anything that falls outside exam hosting.
5. Registration evidence: ask what confirmation you will receive, what remains outstanding and the deadline for supplying it.

For example, a two-subject request may involve four or more papers on different days. Check the November 2026 calendar or May 2027 calendar with the school before buying non-refundable transport. The published full windows are 23 October–13 November 2026 and 23 April–18 May 2027; your personal timetable may be shorter.

Keep the document checklist and a travel budget together. School acceptance, official IB entry and travel arrangements are separate milestones, even when they happen close together.

Can You Actually Retake at a Different School?

Yes. The IB's official policy explicitly states that retake candidates can register through any IB World School. The school does not need to be the one where you originally studied. Authorisation does not mean that an individual school accepts external candidates.

Why Would You Need a Different School?

• Your school won't register retake candidates, Some schools have a policy against accepting external or returning students for retakes
• You've moved, You're now in a different city or country
• Your school doesn't offer the subject, Maybe your original school dropped that subject or doesn't offer the right session
• Your school cannot offer a workable route, Travel, timing, session availability, or subject fit may make another school more realistic
• Your school closed its DP, It happens; schools sometimes discontinue the IB programme

Step by Step: Registering at a New School

Step 1: Choose countries and subjects

This is the biggest challenge. Not all IB schools accept external retake candidates, many only register their own current students. With IBretake, you select countries and subjects once. After admin confirms payment, the placement search can begin with eligible coordinators in those countries. You need a school that:

• Have an active Diploma Programme
• Accept external/retake candidates
• Offer your specific subjects at the right level (HL/SL)
• Are offering the exam session you need (May or November)
• Can host your selected subjects and session

Step 2: Track the Search

After checkout, your dashboard shows a case number and search status. School names stay private until a school accepts your request. IBretake updates you on the dashboard and by email if anything changes. Your request should include:

• Your full name and date of birth
• Your IB candidate number from your original session
• The session you originally sat (e.g., May 2025)
• Which subjects you want to retake, at which level (HL/SL)
• Your selected countries

If support or an accepted coordinator asks for more detail, use your IBretake case number in the message.

Step 3: Provide Documentation

The new school will typically ask for:

• A copy of your IB results (transcript)
• Your candidate number and personal code
• Passport or ID copy
• A statement from your original school (some schools require this, many don't)

Step 4: Pay Fees and Confirm Registration

The new school will register you through IBIS (the IB's system). You'll pay:

• IBretake's fixed student registration fee: EUR 150
• IBretake's fixed exam fee: EUR 800 for every exam, with no multi-exam discount
• Any separate travel, visa, courier, or document costs you create by choosing a school outside your local area

Full cost breakdown: How much does it cost to retake IB exams?

Step 5: Sit the Exam

You sit under IB assessment standards at the host school's exam centre. Papers and local start times can vary by examination zone, language and session. Obtain your personal timetable from the school; do not reuse the timetable from your original attempt.

What About Internal Assessment?

IBretake searches are for exam hosting placements only. The platform does not arrange new IA, coursework, tutoring, oral preparation, or coursework supervision.

If your retake depends on carrying forward an existing IA mark or handling any coursework component, confirm that separately with your previous school or the accepting IB coordinator before relying on the placement.

Common Concerns

Will the new school see my previous results?

The school coordinator can look up your previous IB results through IBIS. This is normal and necessary for the registration process. Your results are not shared publicly.

Can I retake at a school in a different country?

Yes, another country can be an option if an authorised school accepts you and can register your subjects. Confirm examination language, local timetable, travel documents and any visa requirements before booking travel.

What if no school near me accepts retake candidates?

Expand your search geographically. Some students travel to take their exams, and a two week trip to sit exams at a school that accepts retake candidates is not uncommon. IBretake's student price stays fixed; the real comparison is travel, accommodation, timetable fit, visas, and whether the school can register the exact subject on time.