After weeks of revision, stress, and exams, one question dominates every IB student’s mind:
When do IB exams finally end in May 2026?
This matters more than students often realise. Many underperform on their final papers not because they lack knowledge, but because they:
- Mentally “check out” too early
- Stop revising once their main subjects are finished
- Underestimate fatigue at the end of the exam period
This article explains:
- The official IB May 2026 exam end date
- Why not all students finish at the same time
- Which subjects are scheduled last
- How to plan revision all the way to the final paper
Official IB May 2026 Exam End Date
INSERT IMAGE HERE – PDF PAGE SHOWING FINAL WEEK OF IB MAY 2026 EXAMS
According to the official IB examination schedule, IB May 2026 exams end in mid-to-late May.
However, there is no single universal “last exam day” for all students.
The IB timetable is designed so that:
- Some subjects finish earlier
- Others extend into the final exam week
- HL students often finish later than SL students
This means two students in the same school may finish days apart.
Why IB Exams Don’t End on the Same Day for Everyone
The IB spreads exams across four weeks to:
- Reduce global subject clashes
- Keep exams consecutive within subjects
- Balance workload across time zones
As a result:
- Language-heavy students may finish earlier
- Science and mathematics students often finish later
- HL-only papers are frequently scheduled near the end
This design is intentional — but it catches many students off guard.
Which Subjects Are Typically Scheduled Last?
INSERT IMAGE HERE – WEEK 4 EXAM SCHEDULE TABLE
In the final week of the IB May 2026 exam session, students may sit:
- Mathematics HL Paper 3
- Chemistry Paper 2
- Global Politics
- Digital Society
- Final language listening or Paper 2 exams
These papers are often:
- Long
- Mentally demanding
- Taken when students are already exhausted
This is why the final week is not “easy” — it is different, and often more dangerous for grades.
The Biggest End-of-Exams Mistake Students Make
The most common mistake is psychological:
“My hardest exams are over, so I can relax.”
This leads to:
- Reduced revision quality
- Poor sleep discipline
- Loss of focus in final papers
In reality, the last exams can still change your final grade significantly, especially in subjects where Paper 2 or Paper 3 carries heavy weighting.
Mental Fatigue at the End of IB Exams
By the final week, students often experience:
- Brain fog
- Low motivation
- Difficulty concentrating for long periods
This is normal — but unmanaged fatigue causes:
- Silly mistakes
- Weak explanations
- Time mismanagement
The solution is not more studying, but better planning.
How to Plan Revision Until the Final IB Exam
The key is recognising that revision must change shape near the end of the exam period.
Good end-of-exam planning focuses on:
- Light, targeted revision
- Reviewing common mistakes
- Maintaining routines
- Protecting sleep
Using the RevisionDojo Study Planner
The RevisionDojo Study Planner helps students avoid “end-of-exam collapse” by:
- Showing exactly when your final exam occurs
- Preventing you from stopping revision too early
- Reducing workload intentionally after heavy weeks
- Helping you peak at the right time — not too soon
Instead of guessing when you can relax, the planner lets you see:
- When revision intensity should drop
- When it must remain steady
- When full rest is actually safe
You can access it here:
https://www.revisiondojo.com/study-planner
Students who plan through the end date, not just the start date, finish stronger.
Why the Final IB Exams Still Matter
Even late exams:
- Carry full weighting
- Are marked with the same standards
- Can move grade boundaries
IB examiners do not account for fatigue — they assess performance only.
That’s why the final papers deserve as much strategic respect as the first ones.
RevisionDojo Call to Action
Knowing when IB exams end is just as important as knowing when they start.
If you want to:
- Stay focused until your final paper
- Avoid throwing away marks at the end
- Finish IB exams confident rather than exhausted
Use the RevisionDojo Study Planner to plan from your first exam to your last:
https://www.revisiondojo.com/study-planner
Strong finishes create strong results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When do IB May 2026 exams officially end?
IB May 2026 exams end in mid-to-late May. The exact final date depends on your subject combination and whether you take HL-only papers scheduled in the final week.
Do all IB students finish exams at the same time?
No. Some students finish several days earlier than others. HL students and those taking mathematics or sciences often finish later.
Are the last IB exams easier?
No. While some students perceive them as easier, final exams are often longer and require sustained focus. Fatigue makes them harder, not simpler.
Is it okay to stop revising once my main exams are over?
This is one of the biggest IB mistakes. Even light revision should continue until your final paper to maintain focus and confidence.
How should revision change near the end of IB exams?
Revision should become lighter and more targeted. Focus on consolidation, common mistakes, and mental readiness rather than learning new content.
