Introduction
An IB exam clash is one of the most stressful situations students face during exams — often made worse by confusion and misinformation.
Students commonly ask:
- “What actually counts as a clash?”
- “Can the IB move my exam?”
- “Do I lose time or marks?”
- “What happens on the day?”
This article explains how IB exam clashes are handled, what is allowed, and what students should realistically expect.
What Counts as an IB Exam Clash?
An exam clash happens when:
- Two exams are scheduled at the same time
- A student cannot sit both exams as planned
This is not the same as:
- Two exams on the same day
- Consecutive exam sessions
- Long exam days
Only direct overlaps count as clashes.
Are IB Exam Clashes Common?
They are rare but possible, especially for:
- Students with unusual subject combinations
- HL-heavy schedules
- Certain language pairings
The IB actively designs timetables to minimise clashes, but some combinations make them unavoidable.
What Happens If You Have an Exam Clash?
If a clash occurs:
- Your school reports it to the IB
- A supervised alternative arrangement is made
- You sit both exams under strict conditions
The IB does not cancel or remove exams because of clashes.
Can IB Exams Be Rescheduled?
In limited cases, yes — but not freely.
The IB may allow:
- One exam to be sat later under supervision
- Adjusted timing within the same day
The IB does not allow rescheduling for:
- Convenience
- Fatigue
- Personal preference
Rescheduling is a controlled exception, not a choice.
What Students Are Not Allowed to Do
During a clash arrangement, students:
- Cannot access phones or notes
- Cannot discuss exams
- Are supervised throughout
- Must follow strict instructions