Most students who search for an "IB resit" are asking about an IB retake: sitting the subject again in a later May or November session. The wording matters because schools, coordinators, and IB documents usually talk about retakes, while students and universities may casually say resits.
IBretake helps with the exam hosting search: you choose countries, subjects, and your candidate location or radius, then submit one paid request. It does not arrange new IA, coursework, tutoring, oral preparation, or coursework supervision.
Here's why the terminology matters, and what your actual options are.
Why "Resit" vs "Retake" Matters
In the UK education system, "resit" is the standard term for sitting an exam again. In the IB system, the official documentation exclusively uses "retake." This matters because:
When contacting IB schools, using the term "retake" signals that you've read the official policy
When searching for information, "retake" returns more relevant IB specific results
In IB documentation, you'll never find the word "resit", so knowing the official term helps you navigate their resources
The Three IB Options After Poor Results
Many students confuse three different processes. Here's how they differ:
1. Retake (Re Examination)
What: You register for and sit the exam again in a future session
When: Next available May or November session
Cost: IB assessment fees plus school admin or hosting fees
Grade can: Go up or down, it's a completely new result
Requirements: Registration through an IB World School
2. Enquiry Upon Results
What: Your existing exam papers are reviewed by a different examiner
When: Within a few weeks of results being released
Cost: The current fee is confirmed through your coordinator and is normally refunded if the grade changes
Grade can: Go up, stay the same, or go down
Requirements: Requested through your school's coordinator
3. Appeal
What: A formal challenge to the marking process (not just the result)
When: Only after an Enquiry Upon Results has been conducted
Who can do it: Only the school, not the student
When to use it: Only if you believe the Enquiry Upon Results process itself was flawed
Strategy tip: If you are within 1 to 2 marks of the next grade boundary, consider an Enquiry Upon Results first. It is usually faster than planning a full retake. If that does not change your grade, then plan a retake for the next session. You can check how close you were using our Grade Boundaries Calculator.
Can You "Resit" IB Exams Immediately?
No. Unlike A Level resits, the IB does not offer same session resits. You must wait for the next exam session:
If you sat in May, the earliest retake is November (6 months later)
If you sat in November, the earliest retake is May (6 months later)
Most students choose to wait a full year (May to May) to have adequate preparation time.
Do Universities Accept IBretake Grades?
Most universities accept retake grades, but policies vary:
UK universities: Generally accept retakes, especially if within one year. Some competitive courses (Medicine, Oxbridge) may have restrictions.
US universities: Typically view your best score. Retakes are not penalised in most cases.
European universities: Varies by country. Always confirm with the admissions office.
Always contact your target university before committing to a retake to confirm their policy.
Ready to retake? Start one retake search and track updates by case number.
