Yes, retaking MYP Physics eAssessment is possible. The IB allows students to retake an on-screen examination in a later examination session, but registration must be completed through an authorized IB World School and its MYP coordinator.
A retake means sitting a new Physics examination and receiving a result based on that session's paper and grade boundaries. It is different from asking the IB to re-mark the original response. Students pursuing the full MYP Certificate must also observe the limit of three examination sessions for satisfying the certificate requirements.
Official rules for retaking MYP Physics eAssessment
Physics is an externally marked MYP sciences on-screen examination offered in May and November. According to the IB's MYP on-screen examination information, the examination lasts two hours and is available in English and French.
IB guidance states that students may resit an eAssessment in the following or a future session. The sessions need not be consecutive, so a May candidate could retake in November, the following May, or another later session, subject to school registration and subject availability.
For the MYP Certificate, students have a maximum of three examination sessions in which to meet the award requirements. This normally means the original certificate session and up to two retake sessions. Coordinators should confirm the candidate's registration category and remaining eligibility, especially if the original entry was for course results rather than the full certificate.
Students cannot register independently. The school must enter the candidate through IBIS, confirm the examination session and personal code, collect applicable fees, and administer the secure examination.
How the MYP Physics eAssessment is graded
The Physics eAssessment is not graded by converting a classroom criterion total out of 32. Classroom assessment and external eAssessment use the same broad MYP criteria, but their numerical systems differ.
The official MYP sciences subject brief describes a 100-mark examination organized around three tasks:
| Examination task | Criteria assessed | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knowing and understanding | Criterion A | 25 | 25% |
| Investigation skills | Criteria B and C | 50 | 50% |
| Applying science | Criterion D | 25 | 25% |
| Total | Criteria A-D | 100 | 100% |
Criteria B and C appear within the 50-mark investigation section. Across the complete assessment, the four sciences criteria are designed to be equally weighted. Strong factual recall alone is therefore insufficient.
IB examiners mark the new response. The total mark is converted to a grade from 1 to 7 using subject- and session-specific boundaries established through the IB grade-awarding process.
How MYP Physics grade boundaries affect a retake
MYP Physics grade boundaries are not guaranteed to remain identical between sessions. The IB uses examination evidence and expert judgment to determine where each grade standard begins. The same raw mark could therefore produce a different grade in another session.
This example is illustrative, not an official boundary table:
| Attempt | Raw mark | Hypothetical grade 4 boundary | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| May examination | 53/100 | 56/100 | Grade 3 |
| November retake | 61/100 | 58/100 | Grade 4 |
The second result improves because the student exceeds the new session's grade 4 boundary. Marks from the first attempt are not added, and strong sections are not carried forward.
Do not apply classroom boundaries for a criterion total out of 32 to an eAssessment mark out of 100. RevisionDojo's guide to MYP grade boundaries and the 1-7 scale explains this distinction further.
How a Physics retake can affect the MYP Certificate
The IB grading and awards guidance states that the certificate has eight equally weighted eAssessment results, each graded from 1 to 7. Its maximum total is therefore 56 points.
To receive the certificate, a student must earn at least 28 points overall and at least a grade 3 in every required eAssessment component, while satisfying the other award conditions. Where a student completes more than one eAssessment for a required or selected subject-group requirement, the highest available grade for that requirement contributes to the certificate total.
Suppose a student has 29 points, including a grade 2 in Physics. The student does not qualify because Physics is below grade 3. If a retake produces a contributing grade 4, the total becomes 31 points: 29 minus 2 plus 4.
The student would then meet the numerical conditions, provided every other component is at least grade 3 and all remaining requirements are satisfied. The coordinator should confirm the updated award through IBIS.
Retake or enquiry upon results?
A disappointing grade does not automatically make a retake the best first step. A student close to a boundary may ask the coordinator about an enquiry upon results.
| Option | What happens | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Enquiry upon results | The original examination is re-marked | The grade may rise, remain unchanged, or fall |
| Retake | The student sits a new examination | Requires preparation, registration, fees, and attendance |
Under the MYP general regulations, a re-mark can produce a higher or lower grade. The school must obtain the required written consent before making a request that could change the result.
An enquiry checks only the marking of the submitted response. It does not allow additional explanations or corrected answers. A retake instead provides a fresh opportunity to demonstrate stronger performance.
Registration steps for a Physics retake
Contact the MYP coordinator as soon as results become available. The practical steps are:
- Confirm the objective. Determine whether the student needs grade 3 for the certificate, wants a stronger course result, or must meet another academic condition.
- Review the result. Check the grade, boundary information, available feedback, and whether an enquiry is reasonable.
- Confirm eligibility. The coordinator checks the registration history, personal code, certificate status, and sessions already used.
- Choose a session. Physics is normally offered in May and November, but the school must agree to host the retake.
- Check deadlines and fees. Consult the MYP eAssessment registration page and current session procedures.
- Verify the entry. Confirm the subject, language, session, candidate details, and payment arrangements in writing.
The public timeline lists 20 October as the general registration deadline for May and 20 April for November. Schools may impose earlier internal deadlines, while retake-specific administrative stages or fees may also apply.
How to prepare differently for the retake
Repeating the same revision rarely addresses the cause of a disappointing result. Identify whether marks were lost through content gaps, investigation design, data processing, evaluation, command terms, or time management.
Preparation should cover every criterion:
- Criterion A: calculations, definitions, explanations, units, significant figures, and unfamiliar applications
- Criterion B: research questions, hypotheses, variables, methods, safety, and data collection
- Criterion C: tables, graphs, trends, conclusions, uncertainty, limitations, and improvements
- Criterion D: benefits, risks, ethical or environmental implications, communication, and supported evaluation
Use RevisionDojo's MYP Physics resources to review weak concepts, then practise with the MYP Physics Questionbank. MYP Physics flashcards can strengthen recall, but they should be followed by calculations, investigation tasks, and extended evaluations.
Timed digital practice matters because the examination is completed on screen. The 30-day MYP eAssessment study plan provides a progression from diagnosis to timed rehearsal. Jojo AI can explain an error, but students should then solve a related question independently to confirm that the misconception has been corrected.
Conclusion
Retaking MYP Physics eAssessment is allowed, but it requires school registration and a complete new on-screen examination. The result is converted to a 1-7 grade using the boundaries for the new session, not the original boundaries or the classroom table out of 32.
Certificate candidates must consider the three-session limit, minimum grade 3 in each component, and 28-point overall requirement. Once the coordinator confirms the administration, RevisionDojo's Physics Questionbank, Study Notes, Flashcards, and Jojo AI can support focused preparation based on weaknesses from the first attempt.
Sources and referenced URLs
- IB MYP on-screen examinations
- Official MYP sciences subject brief
- IB MYP grading and awards
- IB MYP 2026 general regulations
- IB MYP eAssessment registration timeline
- RevisionDojo guide to MYP grade boundaries
- RevisionDojo MYP Physics resources
- RevisionDojo MYP Physics Questionbank
- RevisionDojo MYP Physics flashcards
- RevisionDojo 30-day MYP eAssessment study plan




