🔻 Potential Disadvantages of Retaking an IB Exam
- 🚫 No Guaranteed Improvement
- Retaking doesn’t guarantee a higher score—and can sometimes lead to the same or even lower results if prep isn’t improved.
- ⏳ Lost Time and Delayed Progress
- Resitting exams usually means waiting until the next session (May or November), delaying graduation or university entry.
- 🎓 University Application Impact
- Some universities may ask if scores were achieved in one sitting—especially for competitive programs.
- However, many accept the highest score across sittings or only consider your final transcript.
- 💰 Additional Costs
- Retake fees can be high, ranging from $100 to $200 per subject, not including revision courses or tutoring.
- 😓 Emotional and Mental Stress
- Going through the IB again can be emotionally draining, especially after a tough first experience.
- 📉 CAS, EE, and TOK Still Matter
- Even with a better exam score, weak performance in other diploma components (CAS, EE, TOK) can still impact your diploma award.
✅ When Retaking IB Exams Makes Sense
- You narrowly missed your diploma (e.g., scored 23/24).
- You underperformed due to illness or adverse circumstances.
- You want to meet specific university entrance requirements.
- You're confident your new study approach will raise your score.
🎯 Pro Tips for Retake Success
- Identify exactly why you missed points (content gaps, timing, stress).
- Revise smarter, not harder—use past papers and tutor feedback.
- Practice full timed exams in a realistic setting.
- Consider a study plan or tutor to guide your review.
For more help, check out RevisionDojo’s IB retake toolkit—designed for students aiming to boost their scores the second time around. 👉 RevisionDojo.com
