Can I retake just one paper in IB?

In most cases, no. An IB retake is not designed as “Paper 2 only.” The assessment is treated as a whole subject entry for that session, which is why students usually plan around the full exam structure. Practically, that means you should prepare across the papers and skills you’ll be examined on, not just the one you disliked most. If you’re unsure about your specific subject setup, ask your IB coordinator for what exactly is included in your retake entry. This is also why timed practice matters: you’re training the full exam rhythm, not a single task. When you build your practice plan, use full coverage tools (Questionbank plus Mock Exams) so the retake doesn’t surprise you.

Will IB keep my highest grade if I retake?

Often, students retake the IB exam because they want the improved result to count, and policies are generally structured to support that goal. In many cases, your best performance across sessions is what matters for the outcome you report. But it’s still important to confirm how score reporting works for your situation, because universities may request transcripts that show multiple sessions. The good news is that improvement usually reads as maturity, especially if it’s paired with a simple explanation. The more you can show that your IB retake was strategic (not random), the better it lands. A calm email and a clear plan often do more than dramatic storytelling.

Do universities accept IB retakes?

In many regions, yes. Universities regularly see IB retakes, especially for competitive programs with strict subject requirements. What matters is how you frame it: you identified a gap, you took responsibility, and you improved. If you missed an offer, communicate early and ask what evidence they need and by when. Some universities care more about meeting minimums than about the number of attempts, while others want context. Either way, a stronger retake score helps you. Your job is to make the retake process predictable: use timed practice, track your weak points, and show consistent progress.

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IB Exam Retake: Complete Guide 2025

IB Exam Tips

• 19 Jul 2026•8

Join 650k+ students breezing through the IBReady to breeze through the IB?

IB Exam Retake: Complete Guide 2025 | RevisionDojo

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IB Exam Retake: Complete Guide 2025

IB Exam Tips

• 19 Jul 2026•8

The moment you open results (and your brain starts bargaining)

There’s a specific kind of silence that happens after IB results load. Not peaceful silence, more like your mind quietly pulling out a calculator, a university offer, and a timeline you didn’t ask to manage.

If you’re wondering, “Can I retake the IB exam?” the answer is yes. But the more useful question is: Should you retake the IB exam, and if you do, how do you make the next session meaningfully different?

This guide is built for IB students who need a clear, calm plan for 2025: what retakes are allowed, when you can sit again, how registration works, what it costs, and how to prepare without repeating the same study loop.

An IB student debates retaking after results

IB retake overview checklist (save this)

If you only read one section, make it this.

Yes, you can retake IB exams, even if you didn’t earn the full diploma.
Retakes happen in May and November sessions.
You generally retake the whole subject assessment for that session, not a single paper.
You typically register through an IB World School (often your original school).
Budget roughly $100-$ 200 USD per subject, plus possible school admin fees.
Your best outcome comes from changing the system: diagnose -> targeted practice -> timed performance -> feedback.

For a broader orientation to IB resources, start here: International Baccalaureate (IB) hub.

Understanding what you’re retaking in IB

The IB Diploma Programme includes six subjects (across groups like languages, sciences, individuals and societies, mathematics, and arts) plus core components: TOK, EE, and CAS.

Each subject is graded 1 to 7, and the diploma includes up to 3 core points. A full IB diploma requires at least 24 points plus meeting the core requirements and avoiding failing conditions.

Why does this matter for an IB retake? Because your decision usually isn’t “redo my whole life”; it’s “change the few numbers that change my options.” Often that means improving one or two subject grades, or repairing a diploma requirement, rather than retaking everything.

IB retake rules in 2025 (what’s actually allowed)

Who can retake the IB exam?

Any student who has already sat IB exams can typically retake. You might retake to:

meet a university condition,
push a subject from a 4 to a 5 (or 5 to 6/7),
complete the diploma if you narrowly missed requirements.

If you’re still deciding, this companion read is helpful: Can you retake IB exams? A calm, strategic guide.

What IB subjects/components can be retaken?

You can retake one or more subjects at the same level (SL/HL) you previously took. In many cases, students focus on the smallest set of subjects that changes the outcome.

Core elements like TOK and the Extended Essay may also be redone when necessary, depending on your situation and school support.

How many times can you retake IB exams?

A commonly cited rule of thumb is that you can attempt IB exams up to three times within three exam sessions. Your IB coordinator is the person who can confirm what applies to your exact timeline and subject entries.

When can you retake IB exams? (May vs November)

IB exam sessions are held twice per year:

May: the primary session for most schools
November: common in the Southern Hemisphere and also used by retake candidates

Here’s the practical way to choose:

Pick May if you want the most common school support rhythm.
Pick November if you need a faster second attempt after May, or you want more months to rebuild fundamentals.

Two students choose between May and November sessions

IB retake costs: what to budget

Retake fees vary by school and region, but many students see $100-$ 200 USD per subject, plus possible administrative costs from the exam center.

Also budget for the hidden costs: time, energy, and the risk of studying a lot without improving your exam technique. If you want a sober look at the tradeoffs, read: Does retaking the IB exam have any disadvantages?.

How to register for an IB retake (simple steps)

Email your IB coordinator (often from your previous school). Ask about deadlines and which subjects you can enter.
Choose your subject(s) and session (May or November).
Confirm fees and payment method.
Get written confirmation of your entries, then build your study plan backwards from exam dates.

If you’ve already started university and you’re still considering an IB retake, this is worth reading: Can I retake the IB exam if I already joined college?.

How to prepare for an IB retake (without repeating the same mistake)

Most IB retakes fail for a quiet reason: students do “more revision” instead of building a better loop.

A better IB loop looks like:

Patch one gap quickly with Study Notes
Practice that gap immediately with a Questionbank
Get feedback that matches markscheme logic (this is where time is saved)
Simulate pressure weekly with Mock Exams or Predicted Papers
Track patterns (command terms, timing errors, weak topic links)

RevisionDojo is built around that loop: Questionbank, Study Notes, Flashcards, AI Chat, Grading tools, Predicted Papers, Mock Exams, Coursework Library, and Tutors.

Start here:

Build targeted practice using the Questionbank feature
Learn how to structure practice sets: IB Question Bank: How to use it effectively
If you need the bigger picture on how RevisionDojo fits together: RevisionDojo app for IB exam prep

A student becomes a project manager of their IB retake plan

The “3-month retake” structure that actually works

Month 1: Diagnose and rebuild
- Use Study Notes to patch only the highest-impact gaps.
- Start a mistake log: every error becomes a rule.
- Use AI Chat to clarify misconceptions fast.
Month 2: Volume with intention
- Do Questionbank sets by topic, then mixed-topic sets.
- Convert recurring misses into Flashcards.
Month 3: Exam simulation
- Sit weekly timed mocks and review like an examiner.
- Focus on pacing and command terms, not just content.

Need help judging timing? These posts help you plan your runway:

Conclusion: an IB retake is a second attempt, not a second life

Yes, you can retake the IB exam in 2025. But the real win is not the permission to retake; it’s using the retake to build a smarter system: targeted study, exam-style practice, honest feedback, and timed performance.

If you’re retaking IB soon, make RevisionDojo your home base: drill weaknesses in the free Questionbank, tighten content with Study Notes and Flashcards, pressure-test with Predicted Papers and Mock Exams, and use AI Chat, Grading tools, and Tutors when you need answers fast.

Your next IB session doesn’t need more stress. It needs a better loop.

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