Why Some IB Exams Are in the Morning vs Afternoon

Introduction

Many IB students look at the exam timetable and immediately ask:

“Why is one of my exams in the morning and another in the afternoon?”

This question often leads to:

• Stress about early starts
• Comparisons with friends in other subjects
• Worry that certain sessions are “harder”

The truth is that morning vs afternoon exam placement has nothing to do with difficulty or importance. It’s a logistical decision based on global scheduling, exam security, and subject structure.

This article explains why some IB exams are scheduled in the morning and others in the afternoon, and how students should adapt their preparation accordingly.

How the IB Decides Morning vs Afternoon Sessions

The IB schedules exams globally, not locally.

Each day is split into:

• A morning session
• An afternoon session

These sessions allow the IB to:

• Run multiple subjects per day
• Reduce worldwide clashes
• Maintain exam security across time zones

Session placement is about coordination, not student preference.

Factors That Influence Session Placement

Several practical factors affect whether an exam is placed in the morning or afternoon:

• Subject combinations taken worldwide
• The number of candidates for a subject
• Paper length and structure
• Avoiding major subject clashes

High-candidature subjects are often spread across sessions to prevent too many students sitting exams at the same time.

Does Morning vs Afternoon Affect Exam Difficulty?

No.

This is one of the biggest IB myths.

• Morning exams are not harder
• Afternoon exams are not easier
• Examiners do not know or care about session timing

Every paper:

• Uses the same marking criteria
• Is assessed against the same grade boundaries
• Is designed to be fair regardless of session

Performance differences usually come from routine and fatigue, not timing.

Why Students Feel Morning Exams Are Harder

Morning exams often feel harder because:

• Students are not used to early focus
• Sleep schedules aren’t adjusted in advance
• Anxiety peaks earlier in the day

This is a routine issue, not an academic one.

Students who practise working in the morning before exams rarely struggle with morning sessions.

Why Afternoon Exams Can Be Just as Challenging

Afternoon exams come with their own risks:

• Fatigue from earlier revision
• Overthinking during the morning
• Poor energy management

Many students accidentally drain themselves before afternoon exams by:

• Over-revising
• Skipping breaks
• Letting anxiety build all day

Afternoon exams reward calm, controlled preparation.

Common Student Misconceptions

Students often believe:

• Morning exams are more important
• Afternoon exams are “less serious”
• Session timing affects grade boundaries
• The IB favours certain subjects with timing

None of these are true.

Session timing is neutral — student preparation is not.

How to Adapt Your Preparation to Exam Sessions

The key is alignment.

For morning exams:

• Adjust sleep schedules early
• Practise exam questions in the morning
• Avoid late-night revision

For afternoon exams:

• Keep mornings calm and light
• Avoid cramming before the exam
• Maintain energy with proper breaks

Consistency beats intensity.

Planning Session Timing With the RevisionDojo Study Planner

The RevisionDojo Study Planner helps students plan revision around real exam days and sessions, not generic assumptions.

Using the planner, you can:

• See which exams are morning or afternoon
• Adjust revision load on exam days
• Avoid overworking before exams
• Maintain energy across the exam period

Instead of worrying about session timing, you plan for it.

Access the planner here:
https://www.revisiondojo.com/study-planner

When preparation matches timing, performance improves.

Why Session Timing Should Not Be a Source of Stress

The IB has used this structure for decades.

Students succeed in:

• Morning sessions
• Afternoon sessions
• Mixed schedules

What matters is:

• Routine
• Sleep
• Energy management
• Confidence

Not the clock.

RevisionDojo Call to Action

If session timing is stressing you out, the problem isn’t the timetable — it’s uncertainty.

Use the RevisionDojo Study Planner to:

• See your full exam schedule clearly
• Plan revision around actual exam days
• Remove timing-related anxiety

Start planning here:
https://www.revisiondojo.com/study-planner

Confidence comes from control.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are morning IB exams harder than afternoon exams?

No. All IB exams are designed and marked the same way regardless of session timing.

Can I request an exam to be moved to a different session?

No. Exam sessions are fixed and cannot be changed for convenience.

Should I revise differently for morning vs afternoon exams?

Yes, in terms of routine. Your revision intensity and sleep schedule should match when you will be examined.

Why does my friend have the same subject in a different session?

They may be in a different exam zone or taking a different paper. Session timing does not reflect difficulty.

Does session timing affect grades?

No. Grades are based entirely on performance, not when the exam was taken.