Retaking IB exams: eligibility, registration and host schools

If you are planning an IB retake, the real question is usually practical: who can register you, which session works, and what happens if your original school cannot help. This guide explains the retake path in plain language for students looking at November 2026 or May 2027.

One retake, two different goals: diploma eligibility or an offer

A useful retake plan begins with the result you need, not the number of exams you are willing to repeat. Consider these two illustrative cases:

These are worked examples, not predictions of improvement. A lower new subject grade does not replace the higher one for the IB diploma award, but a university's disclosure and admissions rules are a separate question. The IB retake policy explains the highest-grade rule and directs candidates to their coordinator for restrictions.

1. Write down the exact subject, level and target grade.
2. Check the syllabus and any existing coursework with the coordinator.
3. Compare the May and November options.
4. Prepare the registration documents before searching.

Who Can Retake?

Any candidate who has previously been registered for the IB Diploma Programme or individual IB subjects can apply to retake examinations. You don't need to have completed the full Diploma. Course candidates can retake individual subjects too.

How Many Times Can You Retake?

There is no limit on the number of times you can retake a subject. However, each retake is a new registration in a new session, with full fees applicable each time.

Retaking at a Different School

You are not required to retake at your original school. Any IB World School that offers the Diploma Programme and is willing to accept you as a retake candidate can register you. This is where platforms like IBretake.com become useful for finding a school that has availability and offers your subjects.

What Happens to Your Previous Scores?

When you retake a subject, you receive a new grade for that session. Your best result is typically the one used for your Diploma calculation (if applicable). The IB keeps records of all your sessions.

IA and Coursework Boundary

IBretake is for exam hosting searches only. It does not arrange new Internal Assessment, coursework, tutoring, oral preparation, or coursework supervision.

• Exam hosting: Submit selected retake exam subjects through IBretake.
• IA/coursework questions: Confirm any carry forward or coursework requirement directly with your previous school or the accepting IB coordinator.

Session Availability

IB exams are held in May and November each year. Not all schools offer both sessions, and not all subjects are available in both sessions. Check availability before committing.

Exam fees and private candidate registration

When you retake through IBretake.com, the student price is fixed at EUR 150 registration plus EUR 800 for every exam, with no multi-exam discount, converted to the selected checkout currency where applicable. After IBretake confirms receipt of payment, eligible coordinators in your selected countries can see the request, and school names stay private until a school accepts.

Late registration with the IBO can add extra fees on top of the base fee. Budget accordingly and start early if you can. Refunds through IBretake open 10 calendar days after IBretake admin confirms successful payment processing, provided no school has accepted you. School acceptance completes the placement-search service and ends contractual refund eligibility.

What happens after registration

Once your host school registers you with the IBO, you receive a candidate number linked to that specific session. You are responsible for preparing for the exams yourself, the host school does not provide instruction unless you arrange that separately. On exam day you travel to the host school's examination venue, show identification matching your candidate record, and sit the papers alongside the school's own students. Papers are sealed and shipped to the IBO for marking. Results are released on the same schedule as other candidates in that session: 6 July for May sessions and from 16 December for November sessions, with candidate access staggered by time zone.

Special circumstances and appeals

If illness, bereavement, natural disaster, or political unrest prevents you from sitting an exam you were registered for, the IBO has formal procedures for Adverse Circumstances and Special Consideration. These are handled through your host school, which submits the paperwork on your behalf. In some cases, the IBO can issue a grade based on available evidence; in others, you may need to defer to the next session. If you believe your grade was calculated incorrectly, you can request an Enquiry Upon Results through your school, which opens a marking review or relevant moderation review process. See our IB Assessment FAQ for the full EUR procedure.