Missing the MYP Physics eAssessment due to absence is serious, but the outcome depends on the reason and whether the IB authorizes an emergency response. Contact your school’s MYP coordinator immediately, provide requested evidence, and do not assume the school can arrange an ordinary make-up examination.
If no authorized rescheduling occurs, the IB will normally be unable to award a Physics grade for that session. Your coordinator is the authoritative contact because reporting procedures and individual circumstances vary.
What normally happens after an absence
MYP Physics is an externally assessed on-screen examination, not an ordinary classroom test. The IB describes Physics as a two-hour on-screen assessment available in English and French during the May and November examination sessions.
Because examination materials must remain secure, a school cannot simply let an absent student sit the same assessment several days later. The coordinator records the absence, establishes its cause, collects evidence, and contacts the IB when authorization is required.
| Situation | Likely next step |
|---|---|
| Serious illness, accident, or emergency reported promptly | The coordinator may seek emergency rescheduling or IB guidance |
| Student is unwell but can safely attend | The school may consider permitted support, such as rest breaks |
| Absence without authorized rescheduling | The student normally receives no Physics grade for that session |
| Accepted reason but assessment cannot be completed | A later examination session may be discussed |
| Oversleeping or forgetting the time | Emergency treatment is unlikely |
These outcomes are not automatic. The coordinator must apply current IB procedures to the evidence and circumstances.
What to do immediately
Contact the coordinator before the scheduled start whenever possible. For an unexpected absence, a parent or guardian should telephone the school immediately and follow up in writing.
Provide:
- Your name and candidate details
- The subject and examination time
- A concise account of what happened
- When the illness or emergency began
- How it prevents attendance or completion
- Any evidence requested by the school
Evidence may include a dated medical document, hospital record, police report, or professional statement. A parent’s message establishes contact, but stronger independent evidence may be required. Notify the school first rather than waiting until every document is available.
Can the MYP Physics examination be rescheduled?
Emergency rescheduling may be possible, but it is controlled and never guaranteed. IB procedures generally restrict it to a short period, commonly within 24 hours of the original examination, because longer delays threaten assessment security.
The student must usually not have started the examination, and the coordinator must protect confidentiality. This may require continuous supervision and restrictions on communication with candidates who have already completed the assessment.
Do not discuss the paper in person, in group chats, or online while a decision is pending. Only the school communicates formally with the IB and confirms whether another sitting is authorized.
What if rescheduling is not approved?
Under published MYP regulations, if a candidate does not undertake an on-screen examination, the IB generally cannot issue a grade in that subject. A predicted grade or classroom Physics mark does not automatically replace the missing external assessment.
This may affect eligibility for the MYP Certificate, which requires candidates to complete the relevant assessment pattern and satisfy grade and point conditions. Depending on the registration, the IB may instead issue available MYP Course Results, but the coordinator must confirm the individual outcome.
If the reason for incomplete assessment is accepted, completion in a later May or November session may be possible. This is a later-session registration, not an informal teacher-arranged make-up.
Becoming ill during the examination
A student who becomes ill before starting may have different options from someone who has opened and begun the assessment. If symptoms appear during the examination:
- Raise your hand immediately.
- Explain the problem clearly to the invigilator.
- Do not close the software or leave without instructions.
- Follow directions about supervision, breaks, or medical attention.
- Ask what evidence is required afterward.
Prompt reporting helps the school document the timing, symptoms, and effect on performance. Health and safety take priority, but starting the examination can affect which later options remain available.
Exam-day preparation and common mistakes
Before exam day, confirm the date, reporting time, room, emergency contact, identification requirements, and procedure for submitting medical evidence. Also check that any inclusive access arrangements have been formally authorized.
Physics uses the IB’s on-screen system, including interactive material, graphing functions, and an on-screen calculator. Format familiarity reduces avoidable stress but does not alter absence rules.
Do not wait until after the examination to explain an absence, assume a doctor’s note guarantees rescheduling, contact the IB instead of your coordinator, or obtain information about the live paper. Also distinguish the official eAssessment from a school mock, which may be rescheduled under local policy.
Conclusion
If you are missing the MYP Physics eAssessment due to absence, notify your coordinator immediately, document the reason, and follow the school’s instructions. Emergency rescheduling may be considered for a genuine, evidenced emergency, but without an authorized sitting, the IB will normally be unable to award a Physics grade for that session.
After resolving the administrative issue, return to structured preparation. RevisionDojo’s MYP Physics resources, Physics Questionbank, and MYP eAssessment study plan can support focused revision.
Sources and referenced URLs
- IB MYP on-screen examinations
- IB MYP assessment and examinations overview
- IB MYP eAssessment registration timeline
- IB General regulations for the MYP, 2026
- RevisionDojo guidance for illness on IB exam day
- RevisionDojo guide to missing an IB exam
- RevisionDojo MYP Physics resources
- RevisionDojo MYP Physics Questionbank
- RevisionDojo 30-day MYP eAssessment study plan




