Overview
Receiving your IB results and finding they aren't what you hoped for can be disheartening, but it's not the end of the road. The International Baccalaureate offers a structured retake (or resit) process, allowing candidates to have another attempt at specific subjects to improve their final score. This provides a valuable second chance to meet university offers or strengthen your academic profile.
How IB Retakes Work
The IB holds exam sessions in May and November each year, and both can be used for retakes. If you decide to resit, you register through your school's IB coordinator for the subjects you wish to improve. Crucially, you typically don't have to retake the entire Diploma Programme; you can select individual subjects. This flexibility allows you to focus your efforts where they will have the most impact on your overall score.
Choosing Your Subjects and Maximising Your Score
A key advantage of the IB retake system is that your best result for a subject is the one that counts. If you score lower on the retake, your original, higher grade is retained for your Diploma. This 'best of' approach removes some of the risk. When deciding which subjects to retake, analyse your results carefully. Prioritise subjects where you were close to a higher grade boundary or where an improvement would significantly impact your university application. To gauge your potential for improvement, you could try to [mark a past paper](/mark) under exam conditions and see how close you are to your target. Using official [IB past papers](/ib) is an excellent way to diagnose weaknesses and focus your revision.
Internal Assessments and the Extended Essay
What happens to your coursework, like Internal Assessments (IAs) and the Extended Essay (EE), is a common and important question. The rules can be complex and depend on the subject and how long ago you completed the work. In some cases, your original IA/EE mark can be carried forward to the new session. In other instances, you may be required to submit a new piece of work or revise your existing one. Because these regulations can change, it is absolutely essential to get the most current guidance from your IB coordinator before making a decision.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Committing to a retake is a significant decision with clear trade-offs. The primary benefit is the potential for a higher score, which could be the key to unlocking a university place. On the other hand, retakes involve costs for exam fees and require months of additional study, potentially creating a gap before starting higher education. You need to be realistic about your ability to improve your grade, and you can supplement your revision with resources like our [free IB courses](/ib/courses) to structure your learning. Discussing these factors with your parents, teachers, and IB coordinator will help you make an informed choice.
An Alternative: The Enquiry Upon Results (Remark)
Before committing to a full retake, consider the Enquiry Upon Results (EUR), commonly known as a remark. If your score is just one or two marks away from the next grade boundary, a remark is a much faster and cheaper option. A senior examiner will review the marking of your paper. While there's a risk your grade could go down (or stay the same), it's often the logical first step for borderline results. Your IB coordinator can advise if an EUR is a sensible gamble for your specific components.
Frequently asked questions
This section covers Frequently asked questions — what IB examiners reward most often in past papers and coursework.
Can I retake my entire IB Diploma?
While it's most common to retake individual subjects, the IB regulations do allow for a candidate to retake the entire Diploma Programme under certain conditions. However, the 'best result' rule still applies to each subject individually. This means you can't get a worse Diploma score by retaking. Your school's IB coordinator can explain the specific pathways and registration requirements for this.
How many times can I resit an IB exam?
The IB has specific limits on the number of examination sessions a candidate can participate in to achieve their Diploma, which is typically three. However, these regulations are detailed and can be updated. It is not an unlimited opportunity. For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding your eligibility, you must consult your school's IB coordinator.
Do universities view retakes negatively?
For most universities, particularly in the UK, the final grade is what matters most. A higher grade achieved through a retake is generally viewed more favourably than a lower original grade. For extremely competitive courses or universities, it is wise to check their policy directly, but a demonstrated improvement is usually seen as a positive sign of resilience and determination.