IB Retakes: The Ultimate Guide to Resitting Your IB Exams

If you didn’t get the IB results you were hoping for, it’s natural to feel disappointed. But remember, you’re not alone, and most importantly you can come back stronger. The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers students the chance to retake exams, giving you the perfect opportunity to boost your grades.

Whether you're hoping to meet university offers or simply prove your academic potential, this guide walks you through everything you need to know about IB retakes. 

Can you retake IB exams?

Absolutely. If your IB results didn’t go quite as planned, don’t panic. There’s still time to turn things around. Whether you missed out on a university offer, didn’t meet the full Diploma requirements or simply know you can do better, you’re allowed to resit one or more exams. 

Who is eligible to retake IB exams?

There’s no special reason needed; any IB student can resit. 

There is also no limit to how many subjects you can resit, and you can attempt the exams as many times are you like. 

The IB used to have a three-session limit, meaning students would only get three attempts to sit the exam, but this restriction was lifted in 2023. Students are now allowed to retake exams as many times as needed to achieve their desired outcomes. 

You must be registered as either a retake candidate (through a school) or as a course candidate (independently).

When can you retake IB exams?

The IB offers two exam sessions each year:

• May session (results released in July)

• November session (results released in January)

You can register for the next available session after your first attempt. For example, if you took your exams in May 2025, your first chance to resit exams would be in November 2025.

Good to know: Not all subjects are available in both sessions. You’ll need to confirm with your IB coordinator.

How to retake IB exams

1. Reflect on whether a retake is right for you

Before you commit, take a moment to reflect on whether retaking your exams is the best option. Did you fall short of a university offer? Are you missing the full Diploma? Do you think you could improve with more preparation? 

Weigh up the time, effort and financial investment against the potential benefits. Talking to your teachers, family or IB coordinator can help you decide.

2. Understand your registration options

Depending on your circumstances, you can either:

• Register via your former IB school as a retake candidate

• Register independently as a course candidate via an IB-approved school or exam centre

3. Choose your exam session

Make sure the subject(s) you want to retake are available in the session you’re targeting. For example, some subjects like Literature HL or certain languages might only be offered in May or November. You can register to resit different subjects in different sessions. 

Take a look at the IB exam resit dates to figure out which session you’ll be retaking your exams in. 

4. Register for the resit

Registration must be completed through an IB World School. If you’re going through your school or college, your coordinator will handle the registration on your behalf. If you're no longer in contact with your former school, you'll need to reach out to another IB school or exam centre willing to register you as a private candidate.

5. Understand the fees

The cost of resitting an IB exam can vary depending on whether you’re going through your school or as a private candidate. IB World Schools are responsible for their own fees, so reach out to your coordinator to find out more. 

Always confirm with the school or centre you’re registering through, as administrative fees may apply.

6. Plan your revision differently

If you’re resitting, it’s important not to repeat the same approach as last time. Use this as a fresh start. Ask yourself:

• Were there knowledge gaps or exam technique issues?

• Did time management let you down?

• Was stress a factor?

Keep reading for revision tips to help you ace your IB exams next time. 

7. Sit the exam

Once registered, you’ll receive a timetable and exam instructions. You’ll sit the exam at the centre you’ve registered through. 

Your resit results will be issued via IBIS (the IB’s candidate portal) in January for November exams and July for May exams.

What are the benefits of retaking IB exams?

Resitting your IB exams is a powerful way to take charge of your future. If you missed out on the full Diploma or didn’t secure a place at university, a successful resit could help you to achieve your goals. 

Your improved grades can boost your CV, help with future career prospects and enable you to pursue further education.

Plus, nailing your resits can give your confidence a major boost, proving to yourself that you’ve got what it takes.

How do IB retakes affect my university place?

Retaking IB exams can help you to secure a university place, but the impact depends on timing, university policies and your new results. 

Many universities, especially in the UK and US, are open to accepting retake results and may defer your offer until the following year to give you time to bounce back.

You’ll need to declare all sittings on your university application, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be penalised. Universities understand that students have setbacks. IB resits are often seen as a mark of perseverance, not failure.

How to prepare for IB resits 

It's time to develop a revision strategy that works. Simply flicking through your notes won’t cut it—active learning is where real progress happens.

Here's how to maximise your performance in your resits:

1. Reflect on what held you back: Was it poor time management in exams? Gaps in your understanding? Or maybe exam stress got the better of you? Pinpointing the problem can help you tackle it this time around.

2. Set clear goals: Rather than vaguely aiming to ‘improve,’ decide what grade you're working towards in each subject. Then build a realistic study plan to help you get there, focusing on both content and exam technique.

3. Choose the right resources: Stick to IB-specific revision materials that follow your exact syllabus—including revision notes, practice papers and flashcards. Save My Exams offers all of the above, as well as exam-style questions, model answers and mock exams. 

4. Practice under timed conditions: Use practice papers to build confidence and exam stamina. Afterwards, mark your answers using official mark schemes and analyse your mistakes so you can learn from them.

5. Target your weakest areas first: Don't just revise the topics you enjoy––focus on the ones you struggled with last time. Use mind maps, memory aids and even recorded explanations to retain tricky content.

With the right mindset and approach, this can be the turning point that gets you closer to the grades you want. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I retake more than one subject?

Yes, you can resit as many subjects as you like, as many times as needed. You can also choose to retake a subject at HL (higher level) or switch to SL (standard level), but this must follow IB rules and be approved by your registering school.

What happens if I do worse in my resit?

The IB will always retain your highest score between exam sessions. This means if your IB resit grade is lower, it won’t replace your original result, giving you a safety net.

Do I have to retake Internal Assessments (IAs) too?

The IB doesn’t require you to retake your IAs, too. You can choose to retake only your exams if you're satisfied with your IA performance. However, the option is there if you'd like to redo your IAs alongside your exams.

What grade do I need to pass IB?

The IB is a little more complex than A Levels when it comes to passing the Diploma. To pass the IB, you must achieve at least 24 points (out of 45 in total). 

Each IB subject is graded on a scale of 1 to 7. In order to get the Diploma, you need a minimum of a 2 in each subject, even if you get 24 points from the other subjects.

To find out more about the IB grading system, check out our helpful guide. 

Is there a deadline for IB retakes?

If you want to retake your exams in the November 2025 session, the deadline for retake entries is 29th July 2025. You’ll receive your IB results on 6th July, giving you just over three weeks to register for the November 2025 exams. 

Ace your IB exams with Save My Exams

Whether your IB results are worth celebrating or you’re already thinking about how to improve next year, Save My Exams can help you. 

Join over 2 million students who trust Save My Exams and gain access to high quality, teacher-written revision resources. You’ll find everything from concise revision notes and exam-style questions to flashcards, each tailored to your specific exam board. This way, you can guarantee you’re only studying exactly what you need to know. 

Explore our IB revision resources. 

References

Find an IB World School - International Baccalaureate®