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The May 2026 IB exam session runs from late April through to mid-May and applies to students completing the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and IB Career-related Programme (CP) worldwide.
This guide contains the official May 2026 IB examination timetable. It shows when each subject group is examined, helping you plan revision, manage workload, and avoid last-minute surprises. Use this page to check your subject exam dates, identify busy exam weeks, and plan your revision effectively.
All dates are taken from the official May 2026 IB examination schedule (opens in a new tab).
Key Takeaways
The May 2026 IB exam session runs from 24 April to 20 May 2026.
Most written exams take place between 27 April and 20 May 2026.
The timetable applies to all IB exam zones (A, B and C).
Students should use this schedule to plan revision early and prepare for busy exam weeks.
When Do IB Exams Start in 2026?
The first IB exams in the May 2026 session begin on Friday 24 April 2026. Most written Diploma Programme exams begin on Monday 27 April 2026.
The final exams take place on Wednesday 20 May 2026.
There are no exams on Friday 1 May 2026.
This timetable applies to IB Diploma Programme and IB Career-related Programme students worldwide. Exact start times vary depending on your IB exam zone, but the dates are the same globally.
IB Exam Timetable 2026
These are the dates for each IB subject group. A full list of IB subjects can be found in our Learning Hub, along with IB subject guides and revision advice.
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
Subject | Date |
|---|---|
Language A: Literature (all languages except English, French, Spanish) | Paper 1 SL/HL: Monday 27 April (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Tuesday 28 April (morning) |
English A: Literature | Paper 1 SL/HL: Thursday 7 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Friday 8 May (morning) |
French A: Literature | Paper 1 SL/HL: Tuesday 19 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Wednesday 20 May (morning) |
Spanish A: Literature | Paper 1 SL/HL: Wednesday 13 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Thursday 14 May (morning) |
Language A: Language and Literature (all languages except English, French, Spanish) | Paper 1 SL/HL: Monday 27 April (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Tuesday 28 April (morning) |
English A: Language and Literature | Paper 1 SL/HL: Thursday 7 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Friday 8 May (morning) |
French A: Language and Literature | Paper 1 SL/HL: Tuesday 19 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Wednesday 20 May (morning) |
Spanish A: Language and Literature | Paper 1 SL/HL: Wednesday 13 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Thursday 14 May (morning) |
Literature and Performance (SL only) | Paper 1: Friday 8 May (afternoon) |
Group 2: Language Acquisition
Subject | Date |
|---|---|
Language B (all languages except English, French, Spanish) | Paper 1 SL/HL: Tuesday 5 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Reading comprehension): Tuesday 5 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Listening comprehension): Wednesday 6 May (morning) |
English B | Paper 1 SL/HL: Thursday 7 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Reading comprehension): Thursday 7 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Listening comprehension): Friday 8 May (morning) |
French B | Paper 1 SL/HL: Tuesday 19 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Reading comprehension): Tuesday 19 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Listening comprehension): Wednesday 20 May (morning) |
Spanish B | Paper 1 SL/HL: Wednesday 13 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Reading comprehension): Wednesday 13 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Listening comprehension): Thursday 14 May (morning) |
Language ab initio (all languages except English, French, Spanish) | Paper 1: Tuesday 5 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Reading comprehension): Tuesday 5 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Listening comprehension): Wednesday 6 May (morning) |
English ab initio | Paper 1: Thursday 7 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Reading comprehension): Thursday 7 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Listening comprehension): Friday 8 May (morning) |
French ab initio | Paper 1: Tuesday 19 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Reading comprehension): Tuesday 19 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Listening comprehension): Wednesday 20 May (morning) |
Spanish ab initio | Paper 1: Wednesday 13 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Reading comprehension): Wednesday 13 May (afternoon) Paper 2 (Listening comprehension): Thursday 14 May (morning) |
Latin (Classical Language) | Paper 1 SL/HL: Tuesday 5 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Wednesday 6 May (morning) |
Group 3: Individuals and Societies
Subject | Date |
|---|---|
Business Management | Paper 1 SL/HL: Wednesday 29 April (afternoon) Paper 3 HL: Wednesday 29 April (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Thursday 30 April (morning) |
Economics | Paper 2 SL/HL: Tuesday 12 May (afternoon) Paper 1 SL/HL: Wednesday 13 May (morning) Paper 3 HL: Wednesday 13 May (morning) |
Geography | Paper 1 SL/HL: Friday 8 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Monday 11 May (morning) Paper 3 HL: Monday 11 May (morning) |
Global Politics | Paper 1 SL/HL: Monday 18 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Monday 18 May (afternoon) Paper 3 HL: Tuesday 19 May (morning) |
History | Paper 1 SL/HL: Monday 4 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Monday 4 May (afternoon) Paper 3 HL: Tuesday 5 May (morning) |
Philosophy | Paper 1 SL/HL: Friday 8 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Monday 11 May (morning) Paper 3 HL: Monday 11 May (morning) |
Psychology | Paper 1 SL/HL: Wednesday 6 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Thursday 7 May (morning) Paper 3 HL: Thursday 7 May (morning) |
Social and Cultural Anthropology | Paper 1 SL/HL: Friday 8 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Monday 11 May (morning) |
World Religions | Paper 1: Tuesday 12 May (afternoon) Paper 2: Wednesday 13 May (morning) |
Digital Society | Paper 1 SL/HL: Monday 18 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Tuesday 19 May (morning) Paper 3 HL: Tuesday 19 May (morning) |
Group 4: Sciences
Subject | Date |
|---|---|
Paper 1 SL/HL: Monday 11 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Tuesday 12 May (morning) | |
Paper 1 SL/HL: Friday 15 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Monday 18 May (morning) | |
Paper 1 SL/HL: Tuesday 28 April (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Wednesday 29 April (morning) | |
Computer Science | Paper 1 SL/HL: Thursday 30 April (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Monday 4 May (morning) Paper 3 HL: Monday 4 May (morning) |
Design Technology | Paper 1 SL/HL: Friday 15 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Friday 15 May (afternoon) Paper 3 HL: Monday 18 May (morning) |
Sports, Exercise and Health Science | Paper 1 SL/HL: Tuesday 28 April (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Wednesday 29 April (morning) |
Paper 1 SL/HL: Thursday 30 April (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Monday 4 May (morning) |
Group 5: Mathematics
Subject | Date |
|---|---|
Paper 1 SL/HL: Thursday 14 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Friday 15 May (morning) Paper 3 HL: Wednesday 20 May (afternoon) | |
Paper 1 SL/HL: Thursday 14 May (afternoon) Paper 2 SL/HL: Friday 15 May (morning) Paper 3 HL: Wednesday 20 May (afternoon) |
Group 6: The Arts
For the May 2026 session, there are no standalone written examinations for Group 6 Arts subjects in the published timetable. Many arts assessments are internally assessed or component-based rather than traditional written exams.
Students may also choose a second subject from Groups 1–5 instead of a Group 6 subject.
What If You Have Exam Clashes?
The IB designs the timetable carefully to minimise subject clashes. However, in rare cases, students may experience timetable conflicts.
If this happens:
Your school must apply to the IB for approval to reschedule an exam.
Rescheduling is only allowed under strict criteria.
Schools manage the process directly with the IB Assessment Division.
If you are worried about a clash, speak to your IB coordinator as early as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year do you take IB exams?
Students typically take their IB exams during their final year of high school, which is often referred to as Year 12, 12th grade, or Year 13 (UK), depending on the educational system. The exams are usually administered in May.
How many people fail IB?
The global pass rate for the IB Diploma Programme is usually around 80% (opens in a new tab). It's essential to note that the IB Diploma Programme emphasises holistic education and provides various pathways for students to achieve success, even if they may not meet the requirements for the full diploma.
Can IB exam dates change?
IB exam dates are fixed once the official timetable is published.
Exams cannot be rescheduled without approval from the IB Assessment Division. Changes are extremely rare and usually only happen in exceptional circumstances.
Always follow communication from your school or IB coordinator for any updates.
When will I know my exact exam start time?
The timetable is split into morning and afternoon sessions, and local start times depend on exam zone.
Your school will confirm your exam zone (A, B or C) and will share your start times and details of your exam location several weeks before your exams begin.
How long do IB exams last?
Exam length varies by subject and level (SL or HL).
Most SL papers last between 1 hour and 1 hour 45 minutes.
Many HL papers last between 2 hours and 2 hours 30 minutes.
Mathematics and sciences often have multiple papers across different days.
For further details, read our full guide to how long IB exams last.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the IB exam timetable early gives you a major advantage. By mapping out your exam dates now, you can plan revision around busy weeks and prioritise the subjects you find hardest.
If you have questions about timings or possible clashes, speak to your IB coordinator as early as possible. Starting revision early also helps you feel more confident and avoid burnout in the final weeks before exams.
References
May 2026 examination schedule FINAL VERSION All exam zones (A, B, C) (opens in a new tab)
IB results 2025: students score higher this year (opens in a new tab)
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