IB Diploma Exams Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the IB Diploma Exams, eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$800-$1200 total
Provider
International Baccalaureate
Validity
Lifetime
Available
Global (160 countries)
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
3-5+ years of professional experience typically required
Specific 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.
Number of 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.
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.
Question Format
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
Passing Requirement
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.
How It Is Delivered
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.
Languages Offered
The IB publishes DP materials and specimen digital examinations in English, French, and Spanish., A bilingual diploma is available: 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 completed in a different language.
Rules specific to this exam
- 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.
Visit the official International Baccalaureate certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
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 You Need
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.
How It Is Calculated
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.
When You Get Results
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.
- 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.
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the IB Diploma Exams?
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..
How much does the IB Diploma Exams cost?
The IB Diploma Exams exam costs $800-$1200 total. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the IB Diploma Exams?
Visit the official International Baccalaureate certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the IB Diploma Exams?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
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