How to Appeal IB Results: Key Deadlines & Tips

You've opened your IB results, and your heart sinks. You're convinced something's gone wrong.

You've worked for two years, and now you're staring at a number that doesn't feel right - and a university offer that might be slipping away.

Don’t worry. You might be able to appeal, and there’s a clear process (plus plenty of support) to help you along the way. 

This guide breaks down how to appeal your IB results, the deadlines you need to be aware of, and the alternative options to consider.

Key Takeaways

• You can appeal IB results through a formal process called an Enquiry Upon Results (EUR).

• All EUR requests must be submitted by your school's IB coordinator - students and parents can't contact the IB directly.

• Grades can go up or down as a result of a remark - written consent is required before submitting.

What is the IB appeal process?

The first thing to do is speak to your IB coordinator or teacher to get a better idea of how your school deals with the appeal process. They’ve supported plenty of students in your shoes before and will guide you through the next steps.

Appealing your IB results starts with an ‘Enquiry Upon Results’ (EUR). Students and/or parents can’t request this service themselves, your IB coordinator must do this on your behalf. 

What Is an Enquiry Upon Results (EUR)?

An EUR is the IB's official mechanism for reviewing a student's assessed work after results have been published.

There are three categories of EUR available. The most common is Category 1, which involves a re-marking of externally assessed components - such as written exam papers and the Extended Essay - by a senior IB examiner.  (opens in a new tab)

Here's a summary of the EUR options:

How to Appeal IB Results: Step by Step

Step 1: Check your results carefully

As soon as your results are released, review each subject grade against your predicted grades and mock exam performance. If there's a significant discrepancy, that's worth querying.

Step 2: Contact your IB coordinator

Don't wait. Book a meeting with your school's DP coordinator as soon as possible. They’ll advise whether a remark is likely to succeed and will handle all communication with the IB.

Remember: the IB will not accept requests from students or parents directly (opens in a new tab), and will only communicate outcomes back to the coordinator.  (opens in a new tab)

Step 3: Give your written consent

Before any EUR is submitted, you must provide written consent. This is because your grade can go up or down as a result of a remark.

If your school submits a request without your consent and your grade drops, the original grade will not be reinstated.  (opens in a new tab)

Step 4: Pay the fee

The IB charges schools for both EURs and formal appeals. 

Fees vary depending on your country and currency and are not published by the IB, so you should reach out to your school for more information.

Step 5: A review will be carried out

In stage 1 of the appeal process, a senior member of IB staff who has not previously been involved with the case will review the evidence and the decision. 

The IB allows appeals in five main situations where a school believes an error has occurred. Here's when you can appeal:

1. Your final results: If your school thinks your grades are still incorrect even after EUR, they can challenge them.

2. Academic misconduct decisions: If you've been found guilty of cheating or another exam violation and your school disagrees with the decision (but not the severity of the penalty), they can appeal it.

3. Special consideration issues: If you had serious circumstances (like illness or family emergencies) and the IB refused to make adjustments, your school can challenge that decision.

4. Inclusive assessment arrangements: If the IB turned down support you were entitled to (like extra time or other accommodations), your school can appeal that too.

5. Other admin mistakes: If there was any other IB decision that affected your result and doesn’t fall into the above categories, it might still be possible to appeal.

Step 6: Wait for the outcome

EUR responses typically take around two weeks.

Your coordinator will inform you of the outcome. If you're still unhappy after the EUR, they can escalate to a formal appeal.

What Happens If You're Still Unhappy After a EUR?

If your EUR doesn't result in a grade change and you still believe there's been an error, your coordinator can escalate to a formal appeal.

Formal appeals are typically used for:

• Final grade disputes not resolved through EUR.

• Academic misconduct decisions.

• Administrative errors (e.g. wrong entry of a predicted grade).

• Special consideration refusals.

Should You Appeal? Tips to Help You Decide

Appealing IB results isn't always the right move. Here's how to think it through before committing.

Reasons to go ahead with an IB appeal:

• Your result is significantly lower than your predicted grade or mock performance.

• You're just a few marks below a grade boundary.

• You believe there was a specific error in the marking of an externally assessed component.

Reasons to think twice:

• Your grade is already close to what you expected - a remark could push it lower.

• You're well below the grade boundary - the chances of a meaningful change are lower.

Alternative Options If an Appeal Isn't Right for You

Appealing IB results is one route, but it's not the only one. If you didn't get the grades you needed, here are some other paths worth exploring.

Retaking IB exams 

You can retake one or more IB exams in the next available session. There's no limit on the number of retakes. 

For a full breakdown, read our guide on IB retakes.

Contacting your university 

If you've missed an offer by a small margin, contact the admissions team. Some universities will accept slightly lower grades, especially if a remark is pending. Others may offer a foundation year or suggest a deferred entry.

UCAS Clearing (UK students) 

If you're applying to UK universities through UCAS, Clearing opens in July and gives you access to courses with available places. It's worth exploring even if it wasn't your original plan - many strong courses appear in Clearing each year. 

Check out our guide to UCAS Clearing for more.

Foundation programmes 

Foundation years and international pathway programmes are a solid option if your results didn't meet entry requirements. Many universities offer these for IB students, and they can lead directly onto degree programmes.

What support is available when appealing my IB results?

Appealing your IB results can feel overwhelming, but you're not alone. There’s plenty of support available to help you through every step of the process. 

Here’s where you can turn for help:

• Your IB coordinator or teachers: Your first stop should always be your school’s IB coordinator or a trusted teacher. They can:

  • Explain the appeal options clearly

  • Submit Enquiry Upon Results (EUR) or formal appeals on your behalf

  • Advise you on risks, fees and deadlines

  • Communicate with the IB on your behalf via IBIS, the IB's secure system

  • Most importantly, they’ve likely helped other students with appeals and can guide you based on experience.

• Your school’s exams office or counselling team: Some schools have a dedicated exams officer or university guidance counsellor. They can:

  • Help you contact universities if you're worried about conditional offers

  • Provide evidence for special circumstances (e.g. illness)

  • Help with admin and paperwork related to your appeal

• Mental health support: Waiting for appeal outcomes or worrying about your uni place can be really stressful. If you're feeling anxious, upset or just need to talk, you can reach out to:

  • YoungMinds (opens in a new tab)

  • Mind (opens in a new tab)

  • Kooth (opens in a new tab)

  • Your school’s counsellor or wellbeing team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal IB results without going through my school?

No. The IB does not accept EUR requests from students or parents directly. All appeals must be submitted by your school's IB DP coordinator.  (opens in a new tab)

Can my IB grade go down after a remark?

Yes. A remark can result in your grade going up, staying the same, or going down. This is why written consent is required before your coordinator can submit a EUR request.

Is the IB appeal fee refunded?

Yes, if your grade changes as a result of the remark, the fee is refunded.  (opens in a new tab)

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. 

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References

IBO - Assessment FAQ (opens in a new tab)

YoungMinds (opens in a new tab)

Mind (opens in a new tab)

Kooth (opens in a new tab)