How to retake IB exams as a private candidate

Retaking IB exams is usually not the confusing part. The difficult part is finding a school that can register you, making sure your subjects and session are possible, and leaving enough time for paperwork before the deadline. This guide walks through the process in the order students actually face it.

Who Can Retake IB Exams?

Anyone who has previously been registered for the IB Diploma Programme, either as a full Diploma candidate or as a Course (certificate) candidate, is eligible to retake. You don't need to have completed your Diploma to retake individual subjects.

Common reasons students retake:

• Missed the Diploma by 1 to 3 points, Retaking your weakest subject can push you over the 24 point threshold
• University conditional offer, Your offer requires a 6 in Chemistry but you got a 5
• Career requirements, Some professional programmes require specific grades
• Personal satisfaction, You know you can do better

Step by Step: How to Retake IB Exams

Step 1: Decide Which Subjects to Retake

Look at your results breakdown. Focus on exam subjects where:

• You were close to the next grade boundary (use our Grade Boundaries Calculator to check)
• You had a bad exam day but your underlying subject knowledge is strong
• You have time to actually prepare and improve

Step 2: Choose Your Exam Session

The IB runs two exam sessions each year:

• May session, Exams in late April / May. Results in early July.
• November session, Exams in late October / November. Results are released from mid December, with candidate access staggered by time zone.

Not all subjects are available in both sessions, and not all schools offer both. The May session has significantly more availability worldwide.

Step 3: Start One Search Request

This is usually the hardest part. With IBretake, you choose your countries, location or radius, and selected subjects once. After checkout, your request is active and IBretake contacts coordinators in the selected zone. You need an IB World School that:

• Offers the Diploma Programme
• Is willing to register external retake candidates
• Offers your specific subjects at the right level (HL/SL)
• Has available seats

You do not need to retake at your original school. Any IB World School that accepts you can register you for the exam. School names stay private until a school accepts the request.

Step 4: Track Your Case

After checkout, your student dashboard shows your case number and search status. IBretake updates you there and by email if your request changes. If no school has accepted you yet, refunds open after 5 working days; if no school accepts within 14 days, the full refund process starts automatically.

Once a school accepts you, the final registration process may involve:

1. Providing your previous IB candidate details (candidate number, session, subjects)
2. Providing documents requested by the accepted school
3. Paying the school's administration fee and IB assessment fees confirmed by the school
4. The school registers you through IBIS (the IB's system)

For a full breakdown of costs, see the IBretake Cost Guide.

Step 5: Prepare and Sit the Exam

You'll sit the exam at the school's exam centre under standard IB conditions. The exam papers, timing, and invigilation rules are identical to what you experienced the first time.

Internal Assessment and Coursework

IBretake searches are for exam hosting placements. They do not include new IA work, coursework supervision, oral preparation, tutoring, or coursework submission. If your retake depends on carrying forward an existing IA mark or handling any coursework component, confirm that directly with your previous school or the accepting IB coordinator before relying on the placement.

Key IB Rules for Retake Candidates

• No limit on retakes, You can retake a subject as many times as you want across different sessions
• Best grade used, For Diploma calculations, your best result is typically used
• Change level, You can switch from HL to SL or vice versa when retaking
• Full fees apply, Each retake is treated as a new registration with full fees
• Different subjects allowed, You can even take a completely different subject to replace one in your Diploma

For the full official policy, see the summary of the IB's official retake rules.

Registration Deadlines

The IB sets two deadlines per session:

• Standard deadline: ~October for May session, ~April for November session. No late fees.
• Late deadline: 4 to 6 weeks after the standard deadline. Late fees can apply.

But the practical deadline is the school's internal deadline, which is typically 1 to 3 months earlier. Popular schools in London, Dubai, and Singapore fill up months before the IB deadline.

Full deadline breakdown: IBretake Deadlines Explained.

How Much Does It Cost?

The total cost of retaking one IB subject varies by school and location. Before checkout, IBretake shows the package price for your selected search. Underlying school/IB costs may include:

• IB assessment fees confirmed by the accepting school
• Selected subject or core component fees if applicable
• School administration fee, often a few hundred dollars depending on the school
• Late registration surcharge (if applicable)

Detailed cost breakdown: Complete IBretake Cost Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I retake IB exams at a different school?

Yes. Any IB World School offering the Diploma Programme that is willing to accept you as an external candidate can register you. You don't need to go back to your original school. Full guide to retaking at a different school →

Is an IB retake the same as a resit?

The IB does not use the word "resit", the official term is "retake." But they mean the same thing: registering again for and sitting an IB examination again in a future session. IB resit vs retake explained →

How long should I wait before retaking?

The earliest you can retake is the very next session (e.g., if you sat May, you can retake in November, just 6 months later). Many students retake in the next May session, giving them a full year to prepare.

Will universities accept retake grades?

Most universities accept IB retake grades. However, policies vary. Contact your target university's admissions office directly. Some may require you to retake within a certain timeframe.