IB Core Retakes: TOK, Extended Essay and Incomplete CAS
TOK and Extended Essay retakes need a school-supported assessment plan; CAS has no exam to retake. An E in TOK or the Extended Essay, a missing grade, or incomplete CAS can block your IB Diploma even above 24 points. Start by identifying the unmet core condition, then ask your coordinator how to resolve it.
Which core problem are you trying to fix?
TOK and the Extended Essay together contribute up to three points towards the 45-point Diploma. CAS contributes no points but must be completed. More subject points cannot remove an E or complete CAS.
TOK and EE matrix 2026: every IB core-points combination · What happens if the IB Diploma is not awarded?
| Your result | The next question |
|---|---|
| TOK E or no grade | Which TOK entry or results-review route applies? |
| EE E or no grade | What new assessment and supervision are required? |
| CAS incomplete | Which evidence or learning outcomes remain outstanding? |
| Valid TOK/EE grades; you want more points | Would a higher core outcome meet your actual target? |
Can you retake TOK?
Discuss a future TOK entry with your coordinator. TOK uses an exhibition and a 1,600-word essay, not a timed exam paper. Ask which components you must submit, whether any existing result can be retained, and which session's prescribed essay titles apply.
Do not simply edit your old essay and submit it independently. The school needs to confirm the required work, supervision and submission arrangements. A remark is a separate route that reviews work already assessed.
Can you retake the Extended Essay?
Ask a school to confirm a new EE entry and the work it can supervise and authenticate. The Extended Essay is a research paper of up to 4,000 words; booking a subject-exam seat does not cover its requirements.
For a May 2027 EE assessment, ask about the updated course, whose first assessment is May 2027. Do not assume your old essay, subject choice or assessment criteria carry over unchanged. Get the applicable guide and school deadline before starting.
IB: Extended Essay · IB: Extended Essay updates, first assessment May 2027
What if CAS is incomplete?
There is no CAS resit paper. Students provide evidence of seven learning outcomes and complete a CAS project. Ask your original coordinator what is missing, who can oversee completion, and your individual deadline.
Example: a student with sufficient subject points but incomplete CAS will not solve that condition by raising Biology from 4 to 5. This is an illustration of the rule, not a real student case.
Confirm the route before paying
Send your results statement, original session and intended session. Ask for the permitted core entry or completion route, required new work, responsible supervisor, deadline and fees in one reply.
IBretake helps find schools to host selected retake exams. It does not provide TOK/EE supervision, CAS oversight or tutoring. Resolve those academic requirements with a school first; use the registration checklist for any subject exams you also need.
IB retake registration checklist: documents and deadlines · Can You Retake One IB Subject After Passing the Diploma? · IB retakes: the complete 2026-2027 guide
Retake questions
Does a D in TOK or EE automatically fail the Diploma?
Can a subject retake compensate for an EE grade E?
Can I reuse my old TOK or EE work?
References
Editorial review
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