Can I still get the diploma if my TOK essay is bad?

Yes, potentially, because TOK is not judged on the essay alone. Your final TOK grade is based on combined components, so a weaker TOK essay can sometimes be offset by stronger performance elsewhere in TOK. The real risk is not “a bad essay,” but an overall E grade in TOK. That E blocks the diploma regardless of how well you do in your six subjects. The most important step is to stay tightly connected to the prescribed title and the rubric logic. If you’re unsure what examiners want, use a guided resource like the RevisionDojo Ultimate TOK May 2026 Essay Guide and build from there.

What does it mean to “fail” IB CAS if it’s not graded?

With IB CAS, “fail” usually means your school cannot confirm you completed the program requirements satisfactorily. That often happens when reflections are missing, evidence is inconsistent, or the CAS project expectations are not met. It’s less about being “bad at CAS” and more about not being able to prove learning and engagement across time. Many students have actually done enough experiences, but they haven’t documented them properly. That’s why consistent, short logging matters more than heroic end-of-year write-ups. If you want a deeper look at documentation habits, browse all IB CAS posts.

If I’m behind on IB CAS, what should I do this week?

First, talk to your CAS coordinator and clarify exactly what’s missing, in writing, so you’re not guessing. Second, focus on completing documentation and reflections for experiences you already did, because that’s usually the fastest path to “satisfactory completion.” Third, schedule two short catch-up blocks (30--45 minutes) rather than one massive weekend session, because reflection quality drops when you binge it. Fourth, choose one “anchor” experience you can repeat weekly until sign-off, so your IB CAS timeline becomes predictable. Finally, protect your exam prep by using a structured study loop in RevisionDojo: practise with the IB Question Bank guide and lock in memory with flashcards, so CAS catch-up doesn’t steal all your momentum.

What Happens If You Fail TOK or IB CAS?

Your stomach drops when someone says, “If you fail TOK or IB CAS, you don’t get the diploma.” It sounds dramatic. But it’s also close enough to true that it deserves your full attention -- especially when you’re trying to juggle exam prep, coursework, and a life that keeps happening.

The good news: most students don’t “fail” these components in one sudden moment. They drift. They delay. They assume they’ll fix it later. This post explains what actually happens if you fail TOK or IB CAS, what schools usually do next, and how to protect your diploma without sacrificing your exam season.

A student faces a tsunami of reflections

The quick reality check: what’s at stake

Keep this checklist in your notes app:

TOK: a weak essay doesn’t automatically fail you, but an overall E in TOK does.
IB CAS: it isn’t graded, but it is mandatory. If it’s not completed “satisfactorily,” no IB Diploma is awarded.
Schools often offer support (and sometimes a path to fix problems), but plagiarism or non-submission can limit options.

If you want a structured hub for core and exam prep in one place, start with the RevisionDojo App overview.

What happens if you fail TOK?

Failing the TOK essay alone is not usually the headline problem. TOK is assessed as a whole, meaning your final grade depends on both the essay and the exhibition. A low essay mark can sometimes be balanced by stronger exhibition performance.

But if the combined result becomes an E grade overall in TOK, you fail the core requirement, and the diploma cannot be awarded -- even if your subject scores are great.

In practice, the TOK essay tends to “fail” only in extreme cases: completely off-topic writing, ignoring the prescribed title, incoherence, or academic misconduct. Most struggling students land in low mark bands, not outright zeroes.

If you’re currently drafting, use RevisionDojo’s TOK resources to stay aligned with expectations, like the May 2026 TOK essay prompts explained and the TOK essay planning templates.

What happens if you fail IB CAS?

IB CAS is different because it’s not graded with a letter. Instead, your school confirms you met the learning outcomes and completed the program requirements (including reflections and the CAS project expectations).

If your coordinator cannot sign you off for IB CAS, the outcome is blunt: you do not receive the IB Diploma until it is resolved. That can mean you must complete missing reflections, add documentation, or finish incomplete experiences. In other words, it’s often “fixable,” but it can be stressful and time-sensitive.

Students usually get into trouble with IB CAS for three reasons:

Doing activities but not documenting them properly
Writing reflections too late (so they become vague or inconsistent)
Leaving the CAS project planning and evidence until the last minute

For practical reflection help, see 10 powerful tips to write a CAS reflection and how to excel in the IBDP CAS program.

How to avoid failing TOK or IB CAS during exam season

Exam season makes everything feel like a trade-off. But the smartest move is to reduce decision fatigue.

Build a light weekly rhythm for IB CAS (short reflections, consistent evidence)
Keep TOK work aligned to the prescribed title, with claims and counterclaims
Use one system to stay organized so “core” doesn’t become invisible

RevisionDojo is designed for that kind of calm structure: you can revise subjects using the Questionbank feature and spaced repetition via IB Flashcards, while keeping momentum on writing and planning.

If balance is your biggest struggle, read How to balance CAS with academics and social life.

An hourglass labeled Exam Season with a gremlin on top

Closing: protect the diploma, protect your peace

Failing TOK or IB CAS usually isn’t about ability. It’s about drift -- small delays that compound until they feel irreversible. Bring it back to earth: clarify requirements, log consistently, and keep TOK tied to the title and rubric.

If you want one home base to stay steady through exams, RevisionDojo gives you the tools students actually use: Questionbank practice, Study Notes, Flashcards, AI Chat for quick clarifications, Grading tools and the Coursework Library for writing support, plus Mock Exams, Predicted Papers, and Tutors when you need a human second opinion. Keep your IB CAS organized, keep TOK intentional, and let exam season be hard -- not chaotic.

What Happens If You Fail TOK or IB CAS?