Understanding IB Retakes: Your Guide to a Second Chance

For many students, retakes are an unfamiliar and slightly scary process. In this blog post we will answer the question “what are retakes?” and explore how they work, before discussing how to choose if they are right for you and how to prepare for them. The key point is that retakes are an amazing opportunity for you to reach your full potential, and we can help you through it!

What are retakes?

Retakes allow a student who is unhappy with their original results to redo one or more of their subjects and core components. You have the option of resitting just your exams, redoing your IAs, or both. It is also possible to redo your extended essay. The IBO will award your diploma based on your highest scores so there is no risk attached to retakes! You are allowed to take each subject a maximum of three times in three separate exam sessions.

Generally, students choose to do retakes in the next exam session. For those who sat their original exams in May, this is the November session and vice versa. However, you do not have to do this. If you feel that you will not be prepared for the next session you can choose to retake them a year later to give yourself more time to prepare!

Choosing if retakes are right for you

Choosing to do retakes can be a difficult decision. If you are unhappy with your results and looking at doing retakes, it’s a good idea to consider the impact that it will have on your university options.

If you have missed a university offer, reach out to the admissions office to find out what their opinion on retakes is. Some universities are happy to accept you if you meet the original offer in your retakes. However, others will require you to reapply.

If you are applying for universities in the Northern Hemisphere that begin in September/October, applications are generally due in January. This may allow you to do retakes in November and apply with your results which could strengthen your application. You may also be able to further strengthen it by using the rest of the academic year to get experience in your chosen field.

For students looking at universities in the Southern Hemisphere who took the May exams, November retakes are likely to allow you to start university in January as planned.

For many students, retakes are an opportunity to grow and gain life experience that is invaluable when they begin university or work. However it’s important to know that there are other options, such as the process of ‘clearing’ in the UK, which will allow you to begin your university studies this autumn.

Preparing for retakes

The first step in preparing for exam retakes is identifying what went wrong in your original exams. Were your study methods ineffective? Did you run out of time to revise? Did stress get the best of you in the exam room? By identifying what prevented you from reaching your goals you can start to figure out the best way to change that for your retakes.

A good place to start is by looking at the syllabus for each subject you are retaking. Think of them as a checklist and use highlighters to mark points that you are confident with, not sure about, and ones you don’t understand. When you make your plan, prioritise the areas that you have marked as ‘not sure about’ and ‘don’t understand’.

Once you know the topics that you need to focus on it’s time to figure out when you’re going to revise them. Generally, it’s a good idea to start with the topics you are least confident with. A really useful tool is GetRevising, a website which will make a revision timetable for you. It lets you block out times when you have other commitments. Additionally it lets you specify when you want to start studying each subject/topic.

The final step

The final step is the most important – start studying! Retakes are your opportunity to take everything you learnt from your original exams and put that into practice. If you are feeling lost, aren’t sure where to start, or are struggling to understand concepts. Most schools don’t provide support to students doing retakes. Lanterna’s elite tutors can help you figure out the best way to approach retakes while making sure that you understand everything that you need to know!

Through the entire process, it is essential to remember that this is a massive opportunity. You have the chance to reach your true potential with the knowledge that you gained from sitting your original exams. Keep your goals in mind and focus on the opportunities that retakes will create!

Lanterna Team
We’re the Lanterna Team — a group of 600+ IB expert tutors, ranging from 45/45 IB graduates to IB teachers with 30+ years of teaching and examiner experience.

For over 20 years, we’ve supported tens of thousands IB students worldwide with one clear focus: making high achievement feel more doable. Our team of experienced tutors have come together to combine their deep curriculum knowledge with practical strategies that are proven to work.

Whether you’re building strong foundations in DP1, pushing for a final stretch in DP2, or looking for clarity on what to prioritise, we’re here to help you study smarter, stay confident, and get results.

IB retakes allow students to redo one or more subjects, Internal Assessments (IAs), or even the Extended Essay if they are unhappy with their original results. The IBO awards your diploma based on your highest scores, so there's no risk involved. You can choose to resit exams, redo IAs, or both.

You can retake each IB subject a maximum of three times across three separate exam sessions. Typically, students retake in the next available session (e.g., November for May exams, or May for November exams), but you can also choose to retake a year later if you need more preparation time.

It's crucial to contact university admissions offices directly to understand their policy on retakes. Some universities are happy to accept retake results, while others may require reapplication. Retakes can strengthen your application, especially if they help you meet an offer or align with application deadlines for your chosen university region.

Begin by identifying what went wrong in your original exams – whether it was ineffective study methods, time management issues, or exam stress. Then, review the subject syllabus, marking areas you're confident in, unsure about, or don't understand. Prioritise revising the 'unsure' and 'don't understand' topics first.

Absolutely. Lanterna specialises in supporting students through the IB retake process. Our expert tutors provide structured support, help you identify weaknesses, create a personalised study plan, and ensure you're fully prepared to achieve your target scores and reach your full potential.

Our tutors, many of whom scored 40+ in the IB or have extensive teaching and examiner experience, offer tailored guidance. They help you understand complex concepts, refine exam techniques, improve IA scores, and develop effective revision strategies to maximise your potential in retakes across all IB subjects.

It's a free, no-pressure 20-30 minute consultation with an IB Student Success Expert. It's designed to give you clarity on your situation, especially if you're considering retakes, and to provide a personalised plan for your next steps, with zero obligation to book tutoring.

The consultation is for any IB student or parent feeling uncertain about retakes, university options, or how to best prepare. Our Student Success Experts can help clarify your situation, discuss strategies, and outline a clear path forward, whether you're in DP1, DP2, or post-results.

Yes, the consultation is completely free, with no obligation to purchase tutoring. You'll speak with an experienced Student Success Expert who will listen to your concerns, offer expert advice, and help you create a simple, actionable plan to tackle your retakes or other IB challenges.

Yes, Lanterna has over 600 highly qualified IB tutors covering a wide range of IB subjects at both Standard and Higher Levels. Our tutors are experts in their fields, many with examiner experience, ensuring you receive top-tier, personalised support for any subject you need to retake.