IB Diploma Exams
International Baccalaureate
Complete guide to passing the IB Diploma Exams exam on your first attempt.
$800-$1200 total
~80% diploma pass
Lifetime
Global (160 countries)
International Baccalaureate
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Complete Overview
The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year pre-university qualification for students aged 16 to 19, assessed by the International Baccalaureate through externally marked examinations in two sessions each year, in May and November. It is taken inside authorized IB World Schools rather than by private candidates, and the IB does not publish a candidate-facing exam price: it bills schools, and its Ofqual-mandated UK disclosure lists a candidate subject fee of 76 pounds, an extended essay fee of 60 pounds, a theory of knowledge fee of 30 pounds, and a creativity, activity, service fee of 7 pounds, which is 553 pounds of IB assessment fees for a standard six-subject diploma before the school adds its own charges.
A diploma candidate takes one subject from each of six groups: studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and the arts. A second subject from groups 1 to 5 may replace the arts subject. Between three and four of the six are taken at higher level, which the IB sets at 240 recommended teaching hours each, and the rest at standard level at 150 hours each. A common 3 higher level plus 3 standard level diploma is therefore 1,170 recommended teaching hours across two years.
Every subject is graded 1 to 7, so six subjects give a maximum of 42 points. The three core components sit on top. Theory of knowledge is assessed through an exhibition and a 1,600-word essay. The extended essay is an independent 4,000-word research paper. Together those two contribute up to 3 additional points, giving the 45-point maximum. Creativity, activity, service contributes no points at all, but authenticated participation is a requirement for the award of the diploma, and students must evidence seven learning outcomes.
The diploma is awarded at 24 points or above, subject to minimum levels of performance and completion of all three core elements. The IB is explicit that the gap between a diploma and Diploma Programme course results can be a single point, or a failing grade on the extended essay, or non-completion of CAS, and that a candidate scoring far above 24 can still miss the diploma by failing one condition.
For the May 2026 session the IB reported that 209,607 DP and CP students received results, a 3.7 percent rise on the previous year, with a global average DP score of 30.88 points. The November 2025 session produced 23,392 results and a global average of 29.3 points. The IB says the DP is offered in over 3,900 IB World Schools across 159 countries, and that more than 9,100 IB programmes run across more than 6,200 schools in over 160 countries as of August 2026.
May session results go on the candidate website in early July; for May 2026 the IB released them on 6 July. November session results are issued to schools from 16 December. Those two dates, 5 July and 16 December, are also the IB's published cutoffs for free transcript requests, so the free window closes just before release rather than after it. The IB removed the three-session rule in 2023, so there is no longer a cap on how many sessions a student may use, and where a subject is retaken the highest grade counts. Digital examinations began in a small number of subjects in 2026, running in parallel with paper.
Why Get IB Diploma Exams Certified?
The IB assessment fee is smaller than most people assume. Its UK disclosure lists 76 pounds per subject, 60 for the extended essay, 30 for theory of knowledge, and 7 for CAS, which is 553 pounds for a six-subject diploma; what families actually pay is set by the school, not the IB.
The three-session rule was removed in 2023, so a candidate is no longer capped at three examination sessions and can retake a subject in any future session at any IB World School that will accept them.
Retakes only help. Where a subject or core requirement is retaken, the IB counts the highest grade towards the award of the diploma.
Six transcript requests to higher education institutions are free if submitted before results are released. After release, each transcript costs 19 US dollars, so getting the list right before the 5 July or 16 December cutoff saves real money.
The diploma is portable. The IB reports the DP running in over 3,900 IB World Schools across 159 countries, with 209,607 DP and CP students receiving results in the May 2026 session alone.
The 45-point scale is finely graded. Six subjects contribute 42 points at 7 each, and theory of knowledge plus the extended essay contribute up to 3 more, which means the core is worth about the same as half a subject.
Grading is criterion-referenced, not norm-referenced. The IB states that results are determined by performance against set standards, not by a student's position in the overall rank order, so a strong cohort does not push your grade down.
Exam Format & Structure
Duration
The IB does not publish one exam length. Paper durations vary by subject and level and are set out in the session examination schedule, published as a PDF for each of May 2026 and November 2026. What the IB does publish uniformly is teaching time: 240 recommended teaching hours for each higher level subject and 150 for each standard level subject, so a 3 higher level plus 3 standard level diploma runs to 1,170 recommended teaching hours over two years, which is the 70,200 minutes recorded in the pacing section below. Read that number as course length, not as time in an exam hall.
Questions
The diploma is measured in points rather than questions. The maximum is 45: 7 points for each of six subjects, giving 42, plus up to 3 points from theory of knowledge and the extended essay combined. Creativity, activity, service adds no points but must be completed. Each subject is assessed through several externally examined papers plus internally assessed work, with the paper structure set out in that subject's guide.
Passing Score
24 of 45 points, subject to minimum levels of performance and successful completion of all three core elements. The IB warns that a candidate with a total far exceeding 24 may still not be awarded the diploma if a condition is failed, for example a failing grade on the extended essay or non-completion of CAS. The full list of conditions sits in the assessment procedures held in the Programme Resource Centre, which is available to schools rather than to the public, so ask your coordinator for it.
Question Types
- Essays
- Structured problems
- Short-response questions
- Data-response questions
- Text-response questions
- Case-study questions
- Multiple-choice questions, which the IB states are rarely used
- Internally assessed oral work in languages
- Internally assessed fieldwork in geography
- Internally assessed laboratory work in the sciences
- Internally assessed investigations in mathematics
- Internally assessed artistic performances
- Externally assessed coursework completed over an extended period under authenticated teacher supervision, including the theory of knowledge essay and the extended essay
Delivery Method
Written examinations at an authorized IB World School in the May or November session, plus internally assessed work completed during the course. The IB began delivering digital examinations in a small number of DP and CP subjects in 2026, taken on laptops or desktop computers inside IB schools, and states that digital papers initially mirror the paper versions to preserve comparability. Paper and digital run in parallel while schools prepare.
- Sessions: Two per year. May session results appear on the candidate website in early July; the IB released May 2026 results on 6 July. November session results are issued to schools from 16 December and reach candidates at staggered times by time zone. The IB confirms the exact release moment for each session rather than fixing one date in perpetuity, so take it from your coordinator.
How scoring works
Score scale
1 to 7 per subject, with 7 the highest, across six subjects for a maximum of 42 points. Theory of knowledge and the extended essay are graded individually and contribute up to 3 further points, giving a diploma maximum of 45. Creativity, activity, service carries no points. Higher level and standard level subjects are worth the same 7 points and are assessed against the same grade descriptors.
Score needed to pass
24 points, subject to minimum levels of performance and successful completion of all three core elements. The IB does not assign a pass mark to individual subjects; a course score is simply a number from 1 to 7. It notes that many universities use 4 or 5 as their own minimum for admission or advanced placement, which is a university threshold rather than an IB one.
When results arrive
May session results appear on candidates.ibo.org in early July, 6 July for the May 2026 session. November session results are issued to schools from 16 December and released to candidates at staggered times by time zone; the exact time is on the individual PIN report from the coordinator. The candidate website shows subject grades, total points, and the EE and TOK bonus, but not component marks. A more detailed view may show the scaled total mark, the lower and upper grade boundaries, and the number of marks needed for a grade increase, but only if the coordinator chooses to release it.
How the scale is built
Each assessment component is given a number value and a weight, and the component points are aggregated into a scaled total. That total is then divided along the 1 to 7 scale at grade boundaries. The IB states that the principal means of setting boundaries is a review of the quality of candidate work against generic grade descriptors, and that results are determined by performance against set standards rather than by rank order within the cohort. Internal assessment is either externally assessed or marked by teachers and then moderated by the IB.
- Remarking: A re-mark is called an enquiry upon results. Only the school coordinator can place one; the IB refuses requests from candidates or parents and reports the outcome only to the coordinator. It is not free, there is a deadline, and a grade can go down as well as up. Written consent from the candidate or legal guardian is required first, and if a school skips that step and the grade falls, the IB will not reinstate the original grade.
- Grade Codes: A P beside a subject means the grade is still pending. An N means the IB could not issue a grade because requirements were not met. Both need to be resolved through the coordinator, since the IB will not discuss grades with students, graduates, or parents.
Pacing and time budget
45 questions in 70200 minutes gives you 1,170 recommended teaching hours, shown here in minutes, spread across a 45-point diploma. That works out at 26 hours of taught time per diploma point, and the split is uneven by design: each higher level subject carries 240 recommended hours and each standard level subject 150, yet both are worth a maximum of 7 points. A higher level subject therefore costs 34 hours per point against 21 for a standard level one, which is the arithmetic behind choosing higher levels you actually want. per question.
Around hour 150 of 1,170, roughly the first term of DP year one
Six subjects locked in with three or four at higher level, a mathematics route chosen between analysis and approaches and applications and interpretation, and a calculator bought from the approved list your school holds in the Programme Resource Centre.
Around hour 450 of 1,170, end of DP year one
An extended essay subject and research question agreed with a supervisor, CAS underway across all three strands with reflections logged, and the theory of knowledge exhibition in progress.
Around hour 700 of 1,170, first term of DP year two
The 4,000-word extended essay drafted, the 1,600-word theory of knowledge essay started, and internal assessments in the sciences, mathematics, and languages either submitted or scheduled.
Around hour 950 of 1,170, roughly two months before the session
Every internal assessment submitted, CAS complete with the seven learning outcomes evidenced, the extended essay and theory of knowledge essay final, and your six free transcript recipients chosen ready to give the coordinator.
Hour 1,170, the examination session itself
Nothing left but the external papers. By this point the core points and internal assessment marks are already banked, and only the externally examined component of each subject is still moveable.
| At this point | You should have answered |
|---|---|
| Around hour 150 of 1,170, roughly the first term of DP year one | Six subjects locked in with three or four at higher level, a mathematics route chosen between analysis and approaches and applications and interpretation, and a calculator bought from the approved list your school holds in the Programme Resource Centre. |
| Around hour 450 of 1,170, end of DP year one | An extended essay subject and research question agreed with a supervisor, CAS underway across all three strands with reflections logged, and the theory of knowledge exhibition in progress. |
| Around hour 700 of 1,170, first term of DP year two | The 4,000-word extended essay drafted, the 1,600-word theory of knowledge essay started, and internal assessments in the sciences, mathematics, and languages either submitted or scheduled. |
| Around hour 950 of 1,170, roughly two months before the session | Every internal assessment submitted, CAS complete with the seven learning outcomes evidenced, the extended essay and theory of knowledge essay final, and your six free transcript recipients chosen ready to give the coordinator. |
| Hour 1,170, the examination session itself | Nothing left but the external papers. By this point the core points and internal assessment marks are already banked, and only the externally examined component of each subject is still moveable. |
- The single most useful pacing fact is that the core is front-loaded. Theory of knowledge and the extended essay are worth up to 3 points and are finished before the examination session, so they are the only points you can guarantee in advance.
- CAS is worth zero points and can still cost you the entire diploma, because authenticated participation is a requirement for the award. Treat the seven learning outcomes as a checklist with a deadline, not as an optional extra.
- Higher level and standard level are worth the same 7 points despite 240 hours against 150. If you are choosing a fourth higher level, you are adding 90 hours of work for no extra points ceiling.
- Internal assessment marks are set long before the exam and are either externally assessed or moderated by the IB. A weak internal assessment caps the subject grade no matter how well the papers go.
- The IB publishes free past and specimen papers with markschemes for a limited set of subjects on ibo.org, including English A literature, English B, geography, history, digital society, and both mathematics routes. Use these before paying for anything.
- Choose your six free transcript recipients before the IB's cutoff, 5 July for May sessions and 16 December for November sessions. Every request after that costs 19 US dollars.
Where the marks are
Higher level subject grades
21 of 45 points for a three higher level diploma (46.7 percent)
Three higher level subjects at 240 recommended teaching hours each carry almost half the diploma total. They are graded against the same descriptors as standard level but across a greater body of knowledge and skills.
Standard level subject grades
21 of 45 points for a three standard level diploma (46.7 percent)
Worth the same 7 points each on 150 teaching hours rather than 240. The cheapest points per hour in the whole diploma, and the ones candidates most often neglect while chasing higher levels.
Internal assessment
not published as a single figure; set per subject in the subject guide
The IB names oral work in languages, fieldwork in geography, laboratory work in the sciences, mathematical investigations, and artistic performances. It is either externally assessed or teacher-marked and then moderated by the IB, and it is finished before the exam.
Extended essay
Contributes to the shared 3-point core bonus, and carries a 60 pound IB assessment fee in the UK schedule
A self-directed 4,000-word research paper, externally assessed. The IB states outright that a failing grade on it can cost the diploma even when subject points are far above 24.
Theory of knowledge
Contributes to the shared 3-point core bonus, and carries a 30 pound IB assessment fee in the UK schedule
Assessed through an exhibition plus a 1,600-word essay, both completed before the examination session. The IB publishes example essay titles, so the task type is knowable well in advance.
Creativity, activity, service
0 of 45 points, but mandatory
Not formally assessed, yet authenticated participation is a condition of the award. Students must evidence seven learning outcomes and complete a CAS project showing initiative, perseverance, collaboration, problem solving, and decision making.
Grade boundaries and the detailed results view
not published in advance
Boundaries are set by reviewing candidate work against grade descriptors after the session. The candidate website can show the scaled total, the lower and upper boundary, and the marks needed for a grade increase, which is exactly what an enquiry upon results decision needs.
Bilingual diploma
No extra points; a separate award on the same 45-point result
Awarded for a grade 3 or higher in two studies in language and literature subjects, or a grade 3 or higher in studies in language and literature plus a grade 3 or higher in an individuals and societies or sciences subject taken in a different language.
| Topic | Weight | Why it scores |
|---|---|---|
| Higher level subject grades | 21 of 45 points for a three higher level diploma (46.7 percent) | Three higher level subjects at 240 recommended teaching hours each carry almost half the diploma total. They are graded against the same descriptors as standard level but across a greater body of knowledge and skills. |
| Standard level subject grades | 21 of 45 points for a three standard level diploma (46.7 percent) | Worth the same 7 points each on 150 teaching hours rather than 240. The cheapest points per hour in the whole diploma, and the ones candidates most often neglect while chasing higher levels. |
| Internal assessment | not published as a single figure; set per subject in the subject guide | The IB names oral work in languages, fieldwork in geography, laboratory work in the sciences, mathematical investigations, and artistic performances. It is either externally assessed or teacher-marked and then moderated by the IB, and it is finished before the exam. |
| Extended essay | Contributes to the shared 3-point core bonus, and carries a 60 pound IB assessment fee in the UK schedule | A self-directed 4,000-word research paper, externally assessed. The IB states outright that a failing grade on it can cost the diploma even when subject points are far above 24. |
| Theory of knowledge | Contributes to the shared 3-point core bonus, and carries a 30 pound IB assessment fee in the UK schedule | Assessed through an exhibition plus a 1,600-word essay, both completed before the examination session. The IB publishes example essay titles, so the task type is knowable well in advance. |
| Creativity, activity, service | 0 of 45 points, but mandatory | Not formally assessed, yet authenticated participation is a condition of the award. Students must evidence seven learning outcomes and complete a CAS project showing initiative, perseverance, collaboration, problem solving, and decision making. |
| Grade boundaries and the detailed results view | not published in advance | Boundaries are set by reviewing candidate work against grade descriptors after the session. The candidate website can show the scaled total, the lower and upper boundary, and the marks needed for a grade increase, which is exactly what an enquiry upon results decision needs. |
| Bilingual diploma | No extra points; a separate award on the same 45-point result | Awarded for a grade 3 or higher in two studies in language and literature subjects, or a grade 3 or higher in studies in language and literature plus a grade 3 or higher in an individuals and societies or sciences subject taken in a different language. |
The numbers
209,607 DP and CP students received results, a 3.7 percent increase year on year, with a global average DP score of 30.88 points
May 2026 session outcome
Source: International Baccalaureate, news release, 6 July 2026, ibo.org
23,392 DP and CP students received results, a 6.8 percent increase year on year, with a global average DP score of 29.3 points
November 2025 session outcome
Source: International Baccalaureate, news release, 17 December 2025, ibo.org
Candidate subject fee 76 pounds; extended essay 60 pounds; theory of knowledge 30 pounds; creativity, activity, service 7 pounds; annual DP school fee 7,930 pounds
IB assessment fees for UK schools
Source: International Baccalaureate, Qualification regulatory information (Ofqual disclosure), ibo.org, updated 19 February 2026
Over 9,100 IB programmes across more than 6,200 schools in over 160 countries, serving more than 1.95 million students aged 3 to 19; the DP alone runs in over 3,900 IB World Schools across 159 countries
Programme reach
Source: International Baccalaureate, Facts and figures, updated 19 August 2026, and the 6 July 2026 results news release, ibo.org
240 hours per higher level subject and 150 hours per standard level subject, with a minimum of three and a maximum of four higher level subjects
Recommended teaching hours
Source: International Baccalaureate, DP curriculum, ibo.org, updated 3 August 2026
First six higher education institutions free if requested before results release; 19 US dollars per transcript afterwards; replacement diplomas or certificates take up to 28 days
Transcript charges
Source: International Baccalaureate, Requesting transcripts and certificates, ibo.org, updated 5 June 2026
If you fail
Wait before retaking
Until the next examination session. The IB runs two sessions per year, in May and November, so the shortest gap between a result and a retake is roughly six months.
Attempt limit
None. The IB removed the three-session rule for the DP, CP, and MYP in 2023 and states that students are no longer restricted to a maximum of three examination sessions, applicable to all previous, current, and future IB students.
Retake fee
Set by the school, not by the IB. The IB states that IB World Schools are independent and responsible for their own fees, and directs retake candidates to the coordinator at the school where they wish to register. The IB's own charge to the school in the UK is a 76 pound candidate subject fee, plus 60 pounds for the extended essay, 30 for theory of knowledge, and 7 for CAS where those are being retaken.
A retake can only help your diploma total, because the IB counts the highest grade for a retaken subject or core requirement. Two practical constraints apply. First, an IB World School is under no obligation to accept a retake candidate, so you must find a school that will register you before you plan anything. Second, if the subject has changed since your original sitting you must follow the new curriculum and meet the new assessment requirements. Whether you need to redo internal assessment is not answered centrally by the IB, which directs the question to your coordinator, so settle it before registering. Course candidates, meaning students who took individual DP courses rather than the full diploma, face no IB restrictions on retaking, but the same school admissions policies apply.
Exam Domains & Topics
One subject required, taken at higher level (240 recommended teaching hours) or standard level (150 hours). Graded 1 to 7 against the same descriptors at both levels, with higher level candidates expected to show the descriptors across a greater body of knowledge, understanding, and skills.
Key Topics to Master:
- Literary analysis across genres and periods
- Internally assessed oral work
- Externally examined paper 1 and paper 2 components
- The interdisciplinary option Literature and performance, which covers this group and the arts together
- Language A: literature past papers and marking notes published free on ibo.org
- A grade 3 or higher here is one route to the bilingual diploma
One subject required. The IB states that DP students study at least two languages, and this is the group that delivers the second. Available across a range of course types and at both higher and standard level.
Key Topics to Master:
- Reading and listening comprehension
- Written production
- Internally assessed oral work, one of the IB's named internal assessment types
- Specimen papers and markschemes published free for English B, including separate higher level and standard level paper 2 audio files
- Cultural and intercultural understanding, which the IB names as an assessed dimension where appropriate
- The same 1 to 7 scale and the same grade descriptors as every other group
One subject required, or two if a student replaces the arts subject with a second subject from groups 1 to 5. Fieldwork in geography is one of the internal assessment types the IB names explicitly.
Key Topics to Master:
- Case-study questions, one of the IB's named external assessment formats
- Data-response and text-response questions
- Internally assessed fieldwork in geography
- Digital society, with specimen material published for first assessment 2024
- History specimen papers and markschemes published for first examinations May 2017
- Environmental systems and societies, the interdisciplinary subject that satisfies this group and sciences together
One subject required. Laboratory work is one of the internal assessment types the IB names, and a science taken in a language other than your studies in language and literature subject can qualify you for the bilingual diploma.
Key Topics to Master:
- Internally assessed laboratory work
- Structured problems in the external papers
- Data-response questions built on experimental results
- Environmental systems and societies as an interdisciplinary alternative
- Calculator use, which the IB confirms is needed in one or more subjects with approved models listed in the Programme Resource Centre
- Higher level at 240 teaching hours against standard level at 150
One subject required, chosen between Mathematics: analysis and approaches and Mathematics: applications and interpretation, each available at higher and standard level. The IB publishes specimen material for both routes free on ibo.org.
Key Topics to Master:
- Mathematics: analysis and approaches specimen papers
- Mathematics: applications and interpretation specimen papers
- Internally assessed mathematical investigations, one of the IB's named internal assessment types
- Structured problems and short-response questions in the external papers
- Calculator policy, with approved models published in the Programme Resource Centre rather than on the public site
- Choosing between the two routes early, because they diverge sharply in content
One subject required, unless the student takes a second subject from groups 1 to 5 instead, which the IB permits. Artistic performances are one of the named internal assessment types.
Key Topics to Master:
- Internally assessed artistic performances
- Externally assessed coursework produced over an extended period
- Literature and performance as the interdisciplinary option shared with group 1
- The same 7-point maximum as any other subject, which is why substituting a group 6 subject changes breadth rather than points
- Higher level at 240 teaching hours and standard level at 150
- Subject briefs published per subject on ibo.org, covering core requirements, aims, and assessment
Theory of knowledge is assessed through an exhibition and a 1,600-word essay. The extended essay is an independent, self-directed 4,000-word research paper. Each is graded separately and together they contribute up to 3 points. Creativity, activity, service is not formally assessed and adds no points, but authenticated participation is required for the diploma.
Key Topics to Master:
- The theory of knowledge exhibition
- The 1,600-word theory of knowledge essay, externally assessed
- The 4,000-word extended essay, externally assessed, with published example titles and a world studies option
- CAS across its three strands of creativity, activity, and service, plus a required CAS project
- The seven CAS learning outcomes, published for schools in the CAS guide
- Failing the extended essay or not completing CAS can cost the diploma outright, regardless of subject points
Recommended Study Plan
- 1Choose one subject from each of the six groups, or substitute a second subject from groups 1 to 5 for the arts subject
- 2Decide three or four higher levels, knowing each is 240 recommended teaching hours against 150 at standard level for the same 7-point maximum
- 3Choose between Mathematics: analysis and approaches and Mathematics: applications and interpretation before the courses diverge
- 4Read the DP subject brief for every subject you have chosen, since each one sets out core requirements, aims, and assessment
- 5Ask your coordinator for the assessment procedures document from the Programme Resource Centre and read the full list of conditions for the award of the diploma
- 1Download every free past and specimen paper the IB publishes for your subjects on ibo.org, including markschemes
- 2Work one paper per subject as an untimed diagnostic to see what the question formats actually look like
- 3Identify which of the IB's assessment formats each subject uses: essays, structured problems, short-response, data-response, text-response, case-study, or the rarely used multiple choice
- 4Buy an approved calculator using the list your school holds in the Programme Resource Centre
- 5Start CAS immediately across all three strands rather than treating it as a year-two problem
- 1Choose an extended essay subject and read the IB's published example titles for it
- 2Consider the world studies extended essay if your question crosses two disciplines
- 3Agree a research question with a supervisor and confirm your school's internal deadlines, which sit ahead of the IB's
- 4Collect sources and build a reading log now, while the second-year workload is still light
- 5Attend the theory of knowledge sessions properly rather than treating them as free periods, since TOK and the extended essay share the same 3-point pool
- 1Start the science laboratory work, the mathematical investigation, or the geography fieldwork that your subjects require
- 2Treat internal assessment as banked marks: it is either externally assessed or teacher-marked then moderated by the IB, and it caps your subject grade
- 3Draft the extended essay to at least half of the 4,000 words
- 4Begin planning the theory of knowledge exhibition
- 5Log CAS reflections against the seven learning outcomes as you go rather than reconstructing them later
- 1Complete a full extended essay draft and get supervisor feedback on it
- 2Finish or near-finish the theory of knowledge exhibition
- 3Sit school mock papers under timed conditions using real past papers where the IB publishes them
- 4Review every subject against its grade descriptors rather than against your class ranking, because the IB grades against set standards and not rank order
- 5Confirm you are on track for CAS, since it is worth zero points and can still cost the diploma
- 1Finalise the 4,000-word extended essay against your school deadline
- 2Write the 1,600-word theory of knowledge essay from the prescribed titles
- 3Complete remaining internal assessments in every subject
- 4Start systematic past-paper work in your three or four higher level subjects, which carry 21 of the 45 points on a three higher level diploma
- 5Check the examination schedule PDF for your session so you know the date and length of every paper
- 1Give the standard level subjects real time, because they are worth the same 7 points each on 100 fewer taught hours
- 2Work whole past papers to time rather than isolated questions, since paper length varies by subject and level
- 3For languages, rehearse the internally assessed oral work if it has not already been recorded
- 4Practise data-response and case-study formats specifically, since these are the IB's named external formats and reward a different technique from essays
- 5Give your coordinator the six higher education institutions you want free transcripts sent to
- 1Sit a full mock examination session in the same paper order as the real schedule
- 2Score against published markschemes rather than against a class average
- 3Rank your six subjects by distance from the grade you need and spend the next block on the largest gaps
- 4If your school is running digital examinations for any of your subjects in 2026, work the specimen digital papers available through the Programme Resource Centre in English, French, or Spanish
- 5Confirm every core component is submitted and authenticated, since a missing element produces an N grade rather than a low one
- 1Revise from grade descriptors and markschemes rather than from notes, because boundaries are set by reviewing work against those descriptors
- 2Rework every past-paper question you previously lost marks on, in each of the six subjects
- 3Rehearse the specific paper you find hardest under exact timing, using the session schedule for its length
- 4Check calculator batteries and confirm the model is on your school's approved list
- 5Confirm your candidate website login credentials with your coordinator, since the IB cannot supply a personal code or PIN
- 1Sit the external papers according to the published session schedule
- 2For May sessions, access results in early July, 6 July in 2026; for November sessions, results go to schools from 16 December and reach candidates at staggered times by time zone
- 3Type your personal code and PIN rather than pasting them, and note that three wrong attempts block access for 30 minutes
- 4If a grade looks wrong, ask your coordinator for the detailed view showing the scaled total, the boundaries, and the marks needed for a grade increase before deciding on an enquiry upon results
- 5An enquiry upon results can lower a grade, must be placed by the coordinator, is not free, and needs your written consent first
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Best Study Resources
DP subject briefs
Official course outlineShort documents, typically two pages, published per subject on ibo.org for both standard and higher level. Each covers core requirements, aims, and assessment. The fastest way to check what a subject actually assesses before you choose it.
Free
Diploma sample exam papers
Official past and specimen papersThe IB publishes a limited public set with markschemes: English A literature paper 1 and paper 2, English B specimen papers with separate higher level and standard level paper 2 audio, geography, history paper 1 and paper 2, digital society, and both Mathematics: analysis and approaches and Mathematics: applications and interpretation.
Free
Session examination schedule
Official timetableA PDF per session listing the date and length of every paper. The IB currently publishes November 2024, May 2025, November 2025, May 2026, and November 2026 schedules. This is where the real per-paper durations live.
Free
Assessment principles and practices
Official guideThe IB's detailed guide on how it builds and quality-assures assessment across its programmes, including how it ensures the reliability of results. Read it if you want to understand why grade boundaries move between sessions.
Free
Programme Resource Centre (PRC)
Official school portalWhere the subject guides, the CAS guide with its seven learning outcomes, the approved calculator list, the assessment procedures, and the specimen digital examinations in English, French, and Spanish all live. You reach it through your coordinator rather than directly.
School access only
Candidate website (candidates.ibo.org)
Official results portalResults from May 2018 onward, using a personal code and PIN from your coordinator. Shows subject grades, total points, and the EE and TOK bonus. Access is available indefinitely, but coordinators may withhold credentials at their discretion and the IB will not intervene.
Free
IB Request for results service (rrs.ibo.org)
Official transcript serviceFor transcripts requested after results release, and for replacement diplomas or certificates. Replacements take up to 28 days and require proof of identity including name and date of birth. Results before 2018 are only available through this service.
$19 per transcript; replacement documents priced separately
DP and CP statistical bulletins
Official statisticsPublished per session going back to November 2005, with summary statistics and comparisons against previous years. The IB names these as the official source of results information and states that it does not publish or endorse school rankings or supply data to third-party ranking sites.
Free
Published extended essay and theory of knowledge example titles
Official exemplarsThe IB publishes example extended essay titles from previous students and example theory of knowledge essay titles. Because both components are worth up to 3 shared points and are finished before the exam session, these are the highest-leverage free material on the site.
Free
Candidate results pack
Official guideA PDF covering transcripts, certificates, and university recognition, linked from the IB transcripts page. Useful when a university asks for documentation the school has not seen before, including legalization, which the IB states is unnecessary for most students.
Free
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming 24 points guarantees the diploma
It does not. The IB states the award is subject to minimum levels of performance and completion of all three core elements, and that a candidate scoring far above 24 can still be refused the diploma for a failing extended essay grade or non-completion of CAS. Get the full list of conditions from your coordinator's copy of the assessment procedures early, not in the final term.
Treating CAS as optional because it carries no points
CAS contributes zero to the 45-point total and is still a requirement for the award. Students must undertake a CAS project and evidence seven learning outcomes. Log reflections as you go, because reconstructing two years of evidence in the last month is how otherwise strong candidates end up with Diploma Programme course results instead of a diploma.
Taking four higher levels without a reason
The IB permits three or four higher levels, but higher and standard level subjects are worth the same 7 points. A fourth higher level adds 90 recommended teaching hours over standard level for no extra ceiling. Take it because a university course wants it, not because it looks harder.
Neglecting standard level subjects
On a three higher level diploma, the three standard level subjects are worth 21 of 45 points, exactly the same as the higher levels, on 150 teaching hours each instead of 240. They are the best value points in the diploma and the most commonly under-revised.
Leaving the extended essay until year two
It is a 4,000-word independent research paper, externally assessed, and part of the only 3 points you can secure before the examination session. Schools set internal deadlines ahead of the IB's, and a failing grade on it is one of the conditions that can cost the whole diploma.
Missing the free transcript deadline
Six higher education institutions can be sent your results at no charge if the coordinator submits the request before 5 July for a May session or 16 December for a November session. Every request after release costs 19 US dollars each, whether or not you already used the free six. An admissions centre such as UCAS counts as one of the six.
Requesting a re-mark without understanding the risk
An enquiry upon results can lower a grade. Only the coordinator can place one, it costs money, there is a deadline, and written consent from the candidate or legal guardian is required first. If a school submits without that consent and the grade drops, the IB will not reinstate the original.
Deciding on a re-mark without looking at the boundaries
The candidate website can show the scaled total mark, the lower and upper grade boundary, and the number of marks needed for a grade increase. That is the number that tells you whether a re-mark is worth attempting. Access is at the coordinator's discretion, so ask for it before deciding.
Retaking without checking for a curriculum change
The three-session rule was removed in 2023 so there is no cap on sessions, and the highest grade counts towards the award. But if the subject has changed since you sat it, you must follow the new curriculum and meet the new assessment requirements, and an IB World School is under no obligation to accept you as a retake candidate at all.
Sharing your PIN with a university
The IB states explicitly that under no circumstances should a candidate give their personal code and PIN to universities or admission centres. Transcripts go from the IB to the institution directly, either through a secure IB website or on paper, and the institution chooses which format it receives.
Exam Day Tips
- 1
Check the session examination schedule PDF for your session in advance. Paper lengths differ by subject and level, and the schedule is the only document that gives the real duration of each paper.
- 2
Bring a calculator that appears on the approved list your school holds in the Programme Resource Centre. The IB confirms every DP student needs a calculator for one or more subjects and that not all programs or applications are permitted.
- 3
If your school has moved any of your subjects to digital examinations in 2026, work through the specimen digital papers first. They are available to IB World Schools through the Programme Resource Centre in English, French, and Spanish.
- 4
Expect digital papers to look like the paper versions. The IB states that digital examinations initially mirror existing paper-based assessments to preserve fairness and comparability, and that schools run both formats in parallel during the transition.
- 5
Know which of your marks are already fixed. Internal assessment, the extended essay, and the theory of knowledge essay are submitted before the session, so on the day only the externally examined papers are still moveable.
- 6
Match your technique to the question format. The IB names essays, structured problems, short-response, data-response, text-response, and case-study questions as its external formats, and says multiple choice is rarely used, so do not plan a strategy around it.
- 7
Give your coordinator your six free transcript recipients before results are released, 5 July for May and 16 December for November. After that each transcript is 19 US dollars.
- 8
Get your candidate website personal code and PIN from your coordinator ahead of results day. The IB cannot issue them, and for data privacy reasons it cannot intervene if a coordinator withholds access.
- 9
On results day, type your credentials rather than copying and pasting. The personal code is case-sensitive, the PIN is not, and three failed attempts block access for 30 minutes of inactivity.
- 10
If you sat subjects across several sessions as an anticipated, retake, or course candidate, expect a separate PIN for each session. Ask the coordinator for all of them, because the IB does not hold this information.
- 11
If a subject shows P or N rather than a grade, contact your coordinator immediately. P means pending, N means the IB could not issue a grade because requirements were not met, and the IB will not discuss either with students or parents directly.
Career Paths & Salary Ranges
Psychologist, after a psychology degree and postgraduate training
The diploma itself is a school-leaving qualification rather than a job qualification, so every route here runs through a degree. Group 3 individuals and societies is the natural DP entry point, and the internal assessment work is closer to undergraduate method training than most 16 to 19 curricula get.
$94,310 median in 2024, per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Civil engineer, after an accredited engineering degree
Usually requires higher level mathematics and higher level physics from group 4 and group 5. The choice between Mathematics: analysis and approaches and Mathematics: applications and interpretation matters here and is effectively made in the first weeks of DP year one.
$99,590 median in 2024, per the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
Economist or policy analyst, after a masters degree
BLS lists a masters degree as typical entry-level education. Higher level economics and higher level mathematics are the common DP pairing, and the 4,000-word extended essay is the closest thing in the diploma to a dissertation.
$115,440 median in 2024, per the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
Software developer, after a computer science or related degree
Group 4 computer science and group 3 digital society are the DP subjects that map here; the IB publishes digital society specimen material for first assessment 2024. BLS projects 15 percent growth in this occupation from 2024 to 2034.
$131,450 median for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers in 2024, per the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
Lawyer, after an undergraduate degree and a professional qualification
No specific DP subject is required, which makes theory of knowledge and the essay-based external formats the most transferable preparation. BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as typical entry-level education.
$151,160 median in 2024, per the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
Physician or surgeon, after a medical degree and residency
The most subject-constrained route in this list: medical schools typically specify higher level chemistry and higher level biology from group 4, decided during subject selection at the start of DP year one and difficult to change later.
Equal to or greater than $239,200 per year in 2024, per the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
Prerequisites & Requirements
- Enrolment at an authorized IB World School that offers the Diploma Programme. The IB states that only students enrolled in authorized IB World Schools can earn the diploma, and that it is not possible to earn the full diploma online.
- The IB designs the DP for students aged 16 to 19, implemented in the last two years of secondary education. A student outside that range in the last two years of secondary school may study it at the school's discretion.
- No prior IB programme is required. The Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme precede the DP and are philosophically aligned with it, but neither is a condition of entry.
- One subject from each of six groups, with a second subject from groups 1 to 5 permitted in place of the arts subject, and a minimum of three and a maximum of four subjects at higher level.
- Completion of all three core components: theory of knowledge, the extended essay, and creativity, activity, service.
- A calculator for one or more subjects, from the approved list published in the Programme Resource Centre.
- Payment of the school's fees. The IB bills schools rather than students; its UK schedule lists a candidate subject fee of 76 pounds, an extended essay fee of 60 pounds, a theory of knowledge fee of 30 pounds, and a CAS fee of 7 pounds, alongside an annual DP school fee of 7,930 pounds. What families pay is set by the individual school.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the IB Diploma cost?
The IB does not publish a candidate price, because it bills schools rather than students. Its Ofqual-mandated UK disclosure lists a candidate subject fee of 76 pounds, an extended essay fee of 60 pounds, a theory of knowledge fee of 30 pounds, and a CAS fee of 7 pounds, which totals 553 pounds of IB assessment fees for a six-subject diploma. Schools also pay an annual DP fee of 7,930 pounds in the UK. What a family actually pays is set by the school, which is independent of the IB.
What score do I need to pass?
24 points out of 45, subject to minimum levels of performance and successful completion of theory of knowledge, the extended essay, and CAS. The IB is explicit that the difference between a diploma and Diploma Programme course results can be a single point, or a failing extended essay grade, or non-completion of CAS, and that a total far exceeding 24 does not guarantee the award.
How does the 45-point scale work?
Each of the six subjects is graded 1 to 7, giving 42 points. Theory of knowledge and the extended essay are graded individually and together contribute up to 3 more, giving 45. Creativity, activity, service adds no points. Higher level and standard level subjects are worth the same maximum of 7 and are marked against the same grade descriptors, with higher level candidates expected to demonstrate them across a greater body of knowledge and skills.
How are grade boundaries set?
Each assessment component is assigned a number value and a weight, and the aggregated scaled totals are divided along the 1 to 7 scale at boundaries. The IB states the principal means of setting boundaries is reviewing the quality of candidate work against generic grade descriptors, and that results are determined by performance against set standards rather than by a student's position in the rank order.
How many times can I retake?
There is no limit. The IB removed the three-session rule for the DP, CP, and MYP in 2023, and states this applies to all previous, current, and future students. You can retake a subject in any future session at any IB World School offering the programme, though restrictions apply and no school is obliged to accept a retake candidate.
Does a retake replace my old grade?
It replaces it only if it is better. The IB states that where you retake a subject or core requirement to improve results, the highest grade for that subject or requirement contributes to the award of the diploma. If the subject has had a curriculum change since your original sitting, you must follow the new curriculum and its assessment requirements.
What does a retake cost?
The IB directs this question to the school. Its retaking examinations page states that IB World Schools are independent and responsible for their own fees, so you must ask the coordinator at the school where you want to register. The IB's own assessment fee schedule, such as the 76 pound UK candidate subject fee, is what the school pays, not necessarily what it charges you.
Do I have to redo internal assessment when I retake?
The IB does not answer this centrally. Its published position is to consult your IB programme coordinator, who can advise based on the subject and the session. Ask before you register, because internal assessment is a substantial share of most subject grades.
What happens if I do not get the diploma?
You receive Diploma Programme course results, formerly called a certificate of results, showing your 1 to 7 score in each subject. The IB stresses that you were examined and assessed against exactly the same DP standards. Whether that is enough for a given university is for the university to say; the IB directs candidates to check admission requirements with institutions directly.
When are results released?
For May sessions, on the candidate website in early July, which for May 2026 was 6 July. For November sessions, results are issued to schools from 16 December and then released to candidates at staggered intervals depending on time zone; the individual PIN report from your coordinator gives the exact time.
What do I need to see my results?
A personal code and an individual PIN, both supplied by your programme coordinator. The personal code is case-sensitive, the PIN is not, and three failed attempts block access for 30 minutes of inactivity. For data privacy reasons the IB cannot issue credentials to candidates, and coordinators may withhold access at their discretion without the IB intervening.
Can I get my paper re-marked?
Yes, through an enquiry upon results, but only your school coordinator can place the request. It is not free, there is a deadline, and grades can go down as well as up, so written consent from the candidate or legal guardian is required first. The IB reports the outcome only to the coordinator, and will not reinstate an original grade if a school submitted without consent and the grade fell.
How do I know whether a re-mark is worth it?
Ask your coordinator for the detailed results view. It can show the scaled total mark, the lower and upper grade boundary, and the number of marks needed for a grade increase. Component marks are never shown on the candidate website, so this detailed view is the only quantitative basis for the decision, and access to it is at the coordinator's discretion.
Are the exams going digital?
Gradually. The IB began delivering digital examinations in a small number of DP and CP subjects in 2026, taken on laptops or desktop computers inside IB schools, as the first stage of a multi-year project. It states that digital exams initially mirror the existing paper assessments to ensure fairness and comparability, and that schools continue running paper exams until they are ready to switch. Specimen digital papers are available to schools through the Programme Resource Centre in English, French, and Spanish.
What calculator can I use?
One from the approved list, which the IB publishes in the Programme Resource Centre rather than on its public site. The IB confirms that every DP student needs a calculator for one or more subjects and that not all programs or applications are suitable for examinations. Each subject group has its own PRC section covering calculator use, so check the rule for your specific subjects with your coordinator.
How do I get transcripts sent to universities?
Before results are released, ask your coordinator to submit the request; up to six higher education institutions are free, and an admissions centre such as UCAS counts as one. After release, request through rrs.ibo.org at 19 US dollars per transcript, charged regardless of previous requests. Processing can take up to 14 working days and is slower in the December to January and July to September peaks.
What if I lost my diploma or certificate?
Request a replacement through the IB's online request for results service using a debit or credit card. The process takes up to 28 days and you will need proof of identity including your name and date of birth. Results from sessions before November 2004 are not available on the candidate website at all and must go through this route.
Are accommodations available?
The IB runs inclusive assessment arrangements, but the process is school-mediated rather than candidate-facing: requests are made by the school through the IB's systems, and the criteria and deadlines sit in the assessment procedures held in the Programme Resource Centre. Contact your coordinator well before the session, because arrangements must be authorised in advance rather than granted on the day.
How does the IB Diploma compare with A-levels?
Structurally they differ in breadth and in the core. The diploma requires six subjects across six groups plus theory of knowledge, a 4,000-word extended essay, and CAS, with 240 recommended teaching hours per higher level subject and 150 per standard level. A-levels are typically three subjects with no compulsory core. The IB cites a study finding that IB students at UK higher education institutions have greater odds of positive higher education outcomes than their A-level peers, and 11 IB studies comparing DP courses with equivalents in systems including the United States, France, Brazil, South Korea, and Australia.
What is the bilingual diploma and is it worth doing?
It is awarded to candidates who gain a grade 3 or higher in two studies in language and literature subjects, or a grade 3 or higher in studies in language and literature plus a grade 3 or higher in an individuals and societies or sciences subject taken in a different language. It adds no points to the 45-point total. The IB suggests the advantage is for students applying to universities that want evidence of proficiency in the language of instruction.
Can I do the IB Diploma outside a school, or online?
No. The IB states that only students enrolled in authorized IB World Schools can earn the diploma, and that it is not possible to earn the full diploma online. Individual subjects are available online, but only to students already registered at an IB World School, and only where the new school supports it.
What is the IB Diploma pass rate?
The IB publishes the diploma award rate for each session in its DP and CP statistical bulletin, which it names as the official source of results information. It also publishes the global average score in its results news releases: 30.88 points for May 2026 across 209,607 DP and CP students, and 29.3 points for November 2025 across 23,392 students. Percentages quoted elsewhere without a bulletin reference should not be relied on.
Does the IB rank schools?
No. The IB states that it neither publishes nor endorses school rankings and does not supply results information to third-party ranking sites. It argues that third-party rankings can rest on small cohorts or self-reported data, and points to the statistical bulletins as system-level transparency rather than school-level comparison.
Success Stories
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