International Baccalaureate Exam: How It Works and How to Prepare "When does my child actually sit the IB exams?" It is one of the first questions parents ask. The short answer is May of the final year of the Diploma Programme. The fuller answer surprises many families. In most subjects, around 20–30% of the final grade comes from coursework completed during the two-year course. That is why the International Baccalaureate exam is better understood as an assessment system than a single test. This guide explains what students take, when exams take place and how the 45-point score works. It also covers what counts as a good score and why preparation begins long before the final two years of school. What Is the International Baccalaureate Exam? The International Baccalaureate exam is the assessment that leads to the IB Diploma. It combines final written examinations, marked by IB examiners, with coursework marked by teachers and moderated by the IB. Students are assessed in six subjects and three core components. The IB Diploma and what gets assessed The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is a two-year, pre-university programme for students aged 16 to 19. To earn the diploma, students complete: Six subjects, one from each of six subject groups, or a second subject from groups 1–4 in place of the arts. Theory of Knowledge (TOK), a course that asks how we know what we claim to know. The Extended Essay (EE), an independent research paper. Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), a programme of experiences beyond the classroom. Every component counts. A strong set of exam results cannot make up for an incomplete core. You can see how this programme is planned at Westlink on our IB Diploma Programme at Westlink page. External assessment vs internal assessment (IA) IB assessment has two parts. External assessment includes the written examinations taken at the end of the course. It also covers some coursework, such as the EE and the TOK essay, which is sent to IB examiners for marking. Internal assessment (IA) is work marked by the student's own teachers. Examples include a science investigation, a mathematics exploration or a historical investigation. The IB then moderates a sample from each school so that marking remains consistent worldwide. In most subjects, IA accounts for around 20–30% of the final grade. In the arts, the weighting is considerably higher. In practice, part of each student's final result is already secured before the examination season begins. The IB exam combines written exams, coursework and core components. What Do Students Take in the IB Exams? Students are examined in six subjects, usually three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level. Alongside these, they submit TOK and EE work and complete CAS. Assessment formats vary by subject, from essays and data analysis to oral and practical components. Six subject groups at Higher Level and Standard Level Each subject is studied at Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL). The IB recommends 240 teaching hours for each HL subject and 150 hours for each SL subject. Subject group What it covers 1. Studies in language and literature Literature and language study in the student's strongest language 2. Language acquisition An additional language 3. Individuals and societies e.g. economics, history, psychology, business management 4. Sciences e.g. biology, chemistry, physics 5. Mathematics Analysis and approaches, or applications and interpretation, each at HL or SL 6. The arts e.g. visual arts, or a second subject from groups 1–4 HL subjects are studied in greater depth and carry more demanding assessment. Students usually choose them with their intended university course in mind. The core: Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS The core is what makes the IB Diploma distinctive. TOK is assessed through an exhibition and an essay of up to 1,600 words. The EE is a research paper of up to 4,000 words on a topic the student chooses. CAS is not graded, but it must be completed for the diploma to be awarded. TOK and the EE are each graded from A to E. Together, they can contribute up to three points to the final score. Written papers, orals and practical work Final examinations are mostly timed written papers. Depending on the subject, these may include essays, short-answer questions, source analysis or problem-solving. Language subjects also include oral assessments. Science subjects include practical investigations. This mix rewards students who can explain, analyse and apply their knowledge, not simply recall it. IB assessment combines written exams with oral and practical components. When are International Baccalaureate exam held? The IB holds two main examination sessions each year, in May and November. Most schools in the Northern Hemisphere follow the May session, while the November session is more common in the Southern Hemisphere. According to the 2026 IB schedule, the May examination session ran from 24 April to 20 May, with results released on 6 July 2026. For students enrolled in the Diploma Programme (DP), preparation typically takes place across the full two-year course: Year 1: Study subjects, plan Internal Assessments (IAs), choose an Extended Essay (EE) topic, and begin Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). First half of Year 2: Complete IAs, the EE, and the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essay. April–May of Year 2: Sit the final examinations. July: Receive official results. Because examination dates and result release schedules may vary from year to year, students and parents should always check the official IB timetable for the relevant examination session. International Baccalaureate exams are held in May and November each year. How IB Exam Scoring Works: 45 Points, 24 Points and the Fine Print Each of the six subjects is graded from 1 to 7, giving a maximum of 42 points. TOK and the EE together can add up to three bonus points, for a maximum of 45. Students need at least 24 points, but they must also meet several other conditions. IB scores combine subject grades with bonus points from TOK and the Extended Essay. The 1–7 grade scale and the TOK/EE bonus matrix Component Points available Six subjects × 7 points 42 TOK + EE (combined matrix) 3 Maximum total 45 The bonus points depend on how the TOK and EE grades combine. The IB uses the following matrix: TOK \ EE A B C D E A 3 3 2 2 No diploma B 3 2 2 1 No diploma C 2 2 1 0 No diploma D 2 1 0 0 No diploma E No diploma No diploma No diploma No diploma No diploma A grade E in either TOK or the EE means the diploma cannot be awarded, whatever the total score. Why 24 points does not always mean a pass This is the part many parents never hear about. A student can reach 24 points and still not be awarded the diploma. According to the IB, a student must meet all of the following conditions: CAS requirements are met. The total score is at least 24 points. A grade has been awarded in every subject, TOK and the EE. No subject is graded below 2. Grade 2 is not awarded three or more times. Grade 3 is not awarded four or more times. At least 12 points are achieved across HL subjects. At least 9 points are achieved across SL subjects. Neither TOK nor the EE is graded E. These rules reward balance. A student who excels in two subjects but struggles in two others can still miss the diploma. Steady performance across all six subjects matters more than a few outstanding grades. How the global average compares (May 2026) In the May 2026 session, 209,607 students worldwide received DP and Career-related Programme (CP) results. The global average DP score was 30.88 points, according to the IB. This gives families a useful benchmark. A score of around 30 is solid. Scores in the high 30s and above tend to open doors at more selective universities. What Is a Good IB Score for University? A "good" IB score depends on where your child applies and what they want to study. Many universities consider both the total score and specific HL grades. Selective courses often ask for scores in the high 30s or above. How UK, US and Australian universities read IB scores Universities in different countries interpret IB results in different ways, depending on their admissions systems and programme requirements. In general, applicants should pay attention to both the overall IB score and any subject-specific expectations: United Kingdom: Offers usually combine a total score with HL grades. For example, an offer might require 38 points, with 6, 6, 6 at HL. Competitive courses often specify the HL subjects they expect. United States: Admissions are holistic. The IB Diploma is widely regarded as a rigorous college-preparatory programme. Some universities also award credit or advanced standing for high HL grades. Australia: Universities convert IB scores into an equivalent of the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Conversion tables published each year show how an IB total compares. Requirements change from year to year, so students and parents should always check each university’s current entry criteria. Using the IB Diploma for universities in Vietnam Several universities in Vietnam accept the IB Diploma through their international qualification routes. Two examples from the 2026 admissions cycle: Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam: accepts the IB Diploma with a total score of 30 or above. Applicants must also hold an approved international language certificate. Fulbright University Vietnam: lists a predicted IB score of 24 or above as its academic threshold. Admission remains holistic, so meeting the threshold does not guarantee a place. Not every university includes the IB in its admissions scheme. Criteria also change each year. Families planning to study in Vietnam should check each university's official admissions scheme for the relevant year. Is Your Child Suited to the IB Exam Model? The IB suits students who are curious and willing to write, discuss and manage long-term projects. It may be less suitable for students who want to specialise early in a small number of subjects. These four signs can help families judge fit. They enjoy asking "why". TOK and the EE reward curiosity and independent thinking. They can manage a steady workload. IA, the EE and CAS run alongside regular lessons for two years. They like variety. The IB keeps languages, sciences, mathematics and the humanities in the mix until the end of school. They express ideas clearly in writing and speaking. Most assessments ask students to explain their reasoning, not just give answers. If your child prefers to study three subjects in depth, another route, such as A Levels, may be a better fit. There is no single right answer. What matters is choosing the programme that matches how your child learns best. The IB exam model suits students who enjoy inquiry, variety, and independent learning. Preparing for the IB Exam Starts in PYP and MYP, Not Grade 11 The skills the IB Diploma assesses are built over many years. Students who have studied in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) are already familiar with inquiry, criteria-based assessment and independent projects. They enter the DP with the habits its assessment expects. How MYP assessment mirrors the DP The MYP uses criteria-based assessment. Teachers assess each subject against published criteria on a 0–8 scale, and these results are converted into a final grade from 1 to 7. This is the same 1–7 scale used in the DP. By the time students begin the Diploma Programme, they already understand how their work is judged. They know how to read assessment criteria, act on feedback and improve a draft. Learn more about the IB Middle Years Programme at Westlink. The MYP Personal Project as a rehearsal for the Extended Essay The Personal Project is the culminating experience of the MYP. Over several months, students independently explore a topic they care about. They set a goal, research it, create an outcome and reflect on what they have learned. These are the same skills the Extended Essay demands, on a smaller scale. A student who has completed a Personal Project already knows how to plan and sustain a long, independent piece of work. The MYP Personal Project Handbook explains how the project is organised at Westlink. MYP Personal Projects build the planning, research, and key skills for the Extended Essay. The IB pathway at Westlink Westlink International School is developing a coherent IB pathway across different stages of learning. As an IB World School, Westlink is authorised to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP). These programmes help students progressively develop critical thinking, research skills, independent learning, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world contexts. Westlink builds a coherent IB pathway through the PYP and MYP programmes. Building on the PYP and MYP, Westlink is also developing the IB Diploma Programme (DP) for upper secondary students. The programme is designed to balance academic depth with subject choice, allowing students to align their studies with their strengths, interests, and future university pathways. Westlink is currently a Candidate School for the DP and is working towards official authorisation from the International Baccalaureate. The DP subject groups currently published by Westlink include: Language A: English A, Vietnamese A, or Korean A Language B: English or Spanish Individuals and Societies: Business Management, Economics, Psychology, or History Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Environmental Systems and Societies Mathematics: A mathematics pathway selected according to each student’s strengths, interests, and future direction The Arts: Visual Arts, with the option to choose an additional subject from another academic group where appropriate Alongside academic learning, Westlink also supports students in planning for university and future careers. Personalised guidance from school counsellors, career-focused activities, opportunities to meet representatives from international universities, and workplace experiences help students better understand their strengths and make informed decisions about their next steps. In this way, the IB pathway at Westlink is designed not only to support academic achievement but also to prepare students for life beyond secondary school. Frequently Asked Questions About the International Baccalaureate exam Can students retake IB exams? Yes. Students can retake one or more IB subjects in a later examination session to improve their results. When a subject is retaken, the IB records the highest grade achieved. Students should check retake arrangements with their school or IB coordinator in advance, as availability and procedures may vary. How much does it cost to take the IB exams? The IB charges schools a registration fee for each candidate and a fee for each subject. Some schools include these costs in tuition, while others bill families separately. Independent 2026 estimates put subject fees at around US$120–125 each, but fees vary by school and region. Ask the school's IB coordinator for the exact amount. How is the IB different from A Levels? The IB Diploma covers six subjects plus a compulsory core of TOK, the EE and CAS. A Levels usually focus on three or four subjects in depth. The IB suits students who value breadth, while A Levels suit those ready to specialise early. Is the IB Diploma recognised in Vietnam? Yes, by a number of universities. In 2026, for example, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam required an IB total of 30 or above. Fulbright University Vietnam set a predicted score threshold of 24. Requirements differ between institutions, so check each university's official admissions scheme before applying. Understanding the International Baccalaureate exam gives parents a clearer view of its academic expectations, assessment methods, and the preparation their child may need. At Westlink, families can explore the PYP, MYP, and Diploma Programme pathways while receiving guidance on the option that best aligns with their child’s abilities and future goals. Parents can book a campus tour to experience the learning environment firsthand or explore available IB scholarships for eligible students.
