Yes, retaking MYP History eAssessment is possible. You can sit a new History on-screen examination in a later MYP session, provided an authorized IB World School agrees to register and host you.
A retake is a completely new attempt. Your response is externally marked, and the raw mark is converted to a grade from 1 to 7 using the MYP History grade boundaries for that session. Availability, deadlines, fees, and curriculum changes must be confirmed through an MYP coordinator.
How an MYP History retake works
History is an on-screen examination within the MYP individuals and societies subject group. The IB lists History examinations in English, French, and Spanish among its available eAssessment subjects, although schools must verify availability for the intended session.
The process generally involves:
- Discussing the result and reason for retaking with the coordinator.
- Confirming the previous candidate record and intended session.
- Finding an authorized school able to host the examination.
- Registering through IBIS before the relevant deadline.
- Sitting the complete examination under current session rules.
- Receiving a newly marked result and grade.
Students cannot register directly with the IB. The MYP general regulations recognize an extended period of study when a student retakes one or more subjects, but registration remains the school's responsibility.
When can you retake MYP History?
MYP examination sessions take place in May and November. A History retake may therefore be possible approximately six months later, or in a future session if the subject and response language are available.
The public MYP registration timeline gives a general deadline of 20 October for a May session and 20 April for a November session. Schools often set earlier internal deadlines to check candidate details, collect fees, and arrange technology and invigilation.
Older documents may refer to a maximum of three sessions for meeting certificate requirements. The IB's current assessment FAQ states that the three-session rule was removed from all IB programmes, including the MYP, in 2023. Coordinators should still check the procedures for the intended session because registration categories and subject requirements can change.
How the MYP History eAssessment is graded
The new result is not produced by averaging both attempts or carrying forward classroom criterion levels. Examiners mark only the responses submitted during the retake, creating a new raw mark and final grade.
The published individuals and societies subject brief describes three tasks:
| Task | Main assessment focus | Published marks |
|---|---|---|
| Investigating | Knowledge, evaluation of an investigation, and planning | 26 |
| Communicating | Presenting historical information for an audience and purpose | 18 |
| Thinking critically | Analysing evidence and perspectives, including extended writing | 36 |
| Total | Evidence across the subject criteria | 80 |
The relevant criteria are A: Knowing and understanding, B: Investigating, C: Communicating, and D: Thinking critically. Although task totals differ, the examination blueprint is designed so that the four criteria contribute equally to the final assessment outcome.
Students should use the blueprint and specimen materials provided for their intended session. An older practice paper may not reflect the current syllabus or examination interface.
How MYP History grade boundaries apply
Official MYP History grade boundaries are session-specific. The IB considers paper difficulty, candidate work, grade descriptors, statistical evidence, and senior examiner judgment when establishing the minimum raw mark for each grade.
The IB's assessment principles identify the 2/3, 3/4, and 6/7 boundaries as judgmental boundaries, with the remaining boundaries calculated between them. Cutoffs can change because examination papers are not identical in difficulty.
A retake therefore follows this process:
New examination mark → new session boundary → new grade from 1 to 7
| Attempt | Raw mark | Hypothetical grade 5 boundary | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| May examination | 49/80 | 52/80 | 4 |
| November retake | 58/80 | 55/80 | 5 |
These figures are illustrative, not official boundaries. The original 49 marks are not added to 58, and previous answers are not carried forward.
Do not apply the classroom conversion table for criterion totals out of 32 to an eAssessment mark. Classroom reporting commonly combines four criterion levels out of 8, whereas the on-screen examination uses subject- and session-specific awarding. The RevisionDojo MYP grade-boundary guide explains this distinction further.
What happens to the MYP Certificate?
The full MYP Certificate contains eight equally weighted eAssessment results, each graded from 1 to 7, giving a maximum of 56 points. Under the IB's grading and awards requirements, students must earn at least 28 points overall, achieve at least grade 3 in every required component, and satisfy the school's service requirements.
When a student completes more than one eAssessment for a required or selected subject group, the highest available grade for that requirement contributes to the certificate total. Raising History from 2 to 4 could therefore remove a below-grade-3 barrier and add two certificate points.
| Certificate position | Before | After retake |
|---|---|---|
| History grade | 2 | 4 |
| Other component points | 28 | 28 |
| Total | 30/56 | 32/56 |
| Effect | Ineligible because History is below 3 | Potentially eligible if all other conditions are met |
A higher total is insufficient if another required component remains below grade 3. Conversely, reaching grade 3 in History may establish eligibility even when the numerical improvement is small.
Retake or enquiry upon results?
A retake produces a new examination response. An enquiry upon results asks the IB to review the assessment of work already submitted.
An enquiry may be appropriate when the original mark is close to the next boundary or there is a specific concern about marking. It does not allow improved answers and cannot guarantee a higher grade. The public registration page lists request deadlines of 15 October for May results and 15 April for November results.
A retake offers more scope when the underlying issue was weak knowledge, source evaluation, extended writing, or time management. The coordinator should compare the boundary distance, costs, deadlines, certificate consequences, and realistic preparation time.
How to prepare differently for the retake
Repeating the same revision routine often reproduces the same weaknesses. Separate your preparation into historical knowledge, investigation, communication, critical thinking, and on-screen examination technique.
A focused plan should include:
- reconstructing timelines and causal relationships from memory
- evaluating the origin, purpose, value, and limitations of sources
- distinguishing description from analysis and evaluation
- planning balanced arguments before extended responses
- supporting major claims with precise evidence
- completing full timed practice on screen
- maintaining an error log organized by criterion and command term
Use RevisionDojo's MYP History resources for content review and the MYP History Questionbank for targeted practice. The 30-day MYP eAssessment plan can provide structure, while Jojo AI can help explain errors before you attempt a similar question independently.
Conclusion
Retaking MYP History eAssessment is allowed, but an authorized IB World School must arrange it. You sit a complete new examination, and the resulting mark is converted to a grade using that session's boundaries.
Speak to your coordinator promptly about availability, fees, deadlines, certificate consequences, and whether an enquiry may be more suitable. Once registered, RevisionDojo Study Notes, the Questionbank, timed practice, and Jojo AI can support a focused preparation plan.
Sources and referenced URLs
- IB MYP on-screen examination subjects
- IB MYP general regulations
- IB registration and deadlines
- IB assessment FAQ
- IB individuals and societies subject brief
- IB assessment principles
- IB MYP grading and awards
- RevisionDojo MYP grade-boundary guide
- RevisionDojo MYP History resources
- RevisionDojo MYP History Questionbank
- RevisionDojo 30-day MYP study plan
