November 2026
23 Oct (Fri) – 13 Nov (Fri)
November 2026 results will be sent to schools from 21:00 GMT on 16 December. Students can access them in batches from 17 December, according to their time zone.
Yanmai Education · since 2021
IB Exam Schedule
Dates, sessions and durations for every paper in the November 2026 and May 2027 sessions. Browse by subject or date, then add your subjects to build a personal timetable.
Based on the IB final version · Updated 23 October 2026
May 2027
23 Apr (Fri) – 18 May (Tue)
May 2027 results are expected in early July (previously 5 or 6 July). Confirm the date with the IB.
Indicative future sessions announced by the IB
November 2027 session
22 October – 12 November 2027
May 2028 session
25 April – 19 May 2028; no exams on 1 May
Subject to IB confirmation
Exam session
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The learning journey
My exam timetable
Creates a calendar file for iPhone, Android, Outlook or Google Calendar. Times are in your school's local time, each event lasts as long as the longest level of that paper, and you get a reminder the day before. In WeChat, open this page in your browser first.
Add your subjects from the cards above to see your papers by date and identify exams in the same session.
Language A · Language acquisition
Language A (Chinese and other languages)
26 Oct
Mon · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 15m · SL 1h 15m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
27 Oct
Tue · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 45m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
English and Spanish are scheduled separately; see their individual cards.
English A
5 Nov
Thu · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 15m · SL 1h 15m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
6 Nov
Fri · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 45m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
Spanish A
29 Oct
Thu · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 15m · SL 1h 15m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
30 Oct
Fri · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 45m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
French A
No written paper in the November 2026 session
Language B / ab initio (Chinese, Japanese and other languages)
3 Nov
Tue · Afternoon
Paper 1
B HL 1h 30m · B SL 1h 15m · ab initio 1h
- 3 Nov Tue Afternoon
Paper 2 – Reading comprehension
B HL / SL 1h · ab initio 1h
4 Nov
Wed · Morning
Paper 2 – Listening comprehension
B HL 1h · B SL 45m · ab initio 45m
English and Spanish are scheduled separately; see their individual cards.
English B / ab initio
5 Nov
Thu · Afternoon
Paper 1
B HL 1h 30m · B SL 1h 15m · ab initio 1h
- 5 Nov Thu Afternoon
Paper 2 – Reading comprehension
B HL / SL 1h · ab initio 1h
6 Nov
Fri · Morning
Paper 2 – Listening comprehension
B HL 1h · B SL 45m · ab initio 45m
Spanish B / ab initio
29 Oct
Thu · Afternoon
Paper 1
B HL 1h 30m · B SL 1h 15m · ab initio 1h
- 29 Oct Thu Afternoon
Paper 2 – Reading comprehension
B HL / SL 1h · ab initio 1h
30 Oct
Fri · Morning
Paper 2 – Listening comprehension
B HL 1h · B SL 45m · ab initio 45m
French B / ab initio
No written paper in the November 2026 session
Latin
3 Nov
Tue · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
4 Nov
Wed · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 30m
Classical Greek
No written paper in the November 2026 session
Language & culture
No written paper in the November 2026 session
Individuals and societies
Business Management
28 Oct
Wed · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL / SL 1h 30m
- 28 Oct Wed Afternoon
Paper 3
HL only 1h 15m
29 Oct
Thu · Morning
Paper 2
HL 1h 45m · SL 1h 30m
Economics
10 Nov
Tue · Afternoon
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 45m
11 Nov
Wed · Morning
Paper 1
HL / SL 1h 15m
- 11 Nov Wed Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h 45m
Geography
6 Nov
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 15m · SL 1h 30m
9 Nov
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 15m
- 9 Nov Mon Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h
Global Politics
6 Nov
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL / SL 1h 15m
9 Nov
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 45m
10 Nov
Tue · Afternoon
Paper 3
HL only 1h 30m
History
2 Nov
Mon · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL / SL 1h
- 2 Nov Mon Afternoon
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 30m
3 Nov
Tue · Morning
Paper 3
HL only 2h 30m
Philosophy
12 Nov
Thu · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 45m
13 Nov
Fri · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h
- 13 Nov Fri Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h 15m
Psychology
12 Nov
Thu · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL / SL 2h
13 Nov
Fri · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h · SL 1h
- 13 Nov Fri Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h
Social and cultural anthropology
6 Nov
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
9 Nov
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 30m
Digital Society
6 Nov
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 15m · SL 1h 30m
9 Nov
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 15m
- 9 Nov Mon Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h 15m
World religions
No written paper in the November 2026 session
Sciences
Biology
27 Oct
Tue · Afternoon
Paper 1 (1a + 1b)
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
28 Oct
Wed · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 30m
Chemistry
11 Nov
Wed · Afternoon
Paper 1 (1a + 1b)
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
12 Nov
Thu · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 30m
Physics
4 Nov
Wed · Afternoon
Paper 1 (1a + 1b)
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
5 Nov
Thu · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 30m
Computer Science
30 Oct
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 10m · SL 1h 30m
2 Nov
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
HL 1h 20m · SL 1h
- 2 Nov Mon Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h
Design Technology
11 Nov
Wed · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 1h · SL 45m
- 11 Nov Wed Afternoon
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 30m
12 Nov
Thu · Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h 30m
Sports, exercise and health science
4 Nov
Wed · Afternoon
Paper 1 (1a + 1b)
HL 1h 45m · SL 1h 30m
5 Nov
Thu · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 30m
Mathematics
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
9 Nov
Mon · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
10 Nov
Tue · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
13 Nov
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 3
HL only 1h 15m
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation
9 Nov
Mon · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
10 Nov
Tue · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
13 Nov
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 3
HL only 1h 15m
Interdisciplinary
Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS)
30 Oct
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h · SL 1h
2 Nov
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 2h
Literature and Performance
6 Nov
Fri · Morning
Paper 1
SL 1h 45m
School-based syllabus
School-based syllabus
23 Oct
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
SL
26 Oct
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
SL
Components without written examinations
Arts subjects (Visual Arts, Film, Theatre and Music), TOK and the EE are not listed in the exam timetable. Portfolios, essays and exhibitions follow school deadlines.
Language A · Language acquisition
Language A (Chinese and other languages)
26 Apr
Mon · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 15m · SL 1h 15m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
27 Apr
Tue · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 45m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
English, French and Spanish are scheduled separately; see their individual cards.
English A
6 May
Thu · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 15m · SL 1h 15m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
7 May
Fri · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 45m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
Spanish A
12 May
Wed · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 15m · SL 1h 15m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
13 May
Thu · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 45m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
French A
17 May
Mon · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 15m · SL 1h 15m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
18 May
Tue · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 45m (same for Literature and Language & Literature)
Language B / ab initio (Chinese, Japanese and other languages)
4 May
Tue · Afternoon
Paper 1
B HL 1h 30m · B SL 1h 15m · ab initio 1h
- 4 May Tue Afternoon
Paper 2 – Reading comprehension
B HL / SL 1h · ab initio 1h
5 May
Wed · Morning
Paper 2 – Listening comprehension
B HL 1h · B SL 45m · ab initio 45m
English, French and Spanish are scheduled separately; see their individual cards.
English B / ab initio
6 May
Thu · Afternoon
Paper 1
B HL 1h 30m · B SL 1h 15m · ab initio 1h
- 6 May Thu Afternoon
Paper 2 – Reading comprehension
B HL / SL 1h · ab initio 1h
7 May
Fri · Morning
Paper 2 – Listening comprehension
B HL 1h · B SL 45m · ab initio 45m
Spanish B / ab initio
12 May
Wed · Afternoon
Paper 1
B HL 1h 30m · B SL 1h 15m · ab initio 1h
- 12 May Wed Afternoon
Paper 2 – Reading comprehension
B HL / SL 1h · ab initio 1h
13 May
Thu · Morning
Paper 2 – Listening comprehension
B HL 1h · B SL 45m · ab initio 45m
French B / ab initio
17 May
Mon · Afternoon
Paper 1
B HL 1h 30m · B SL 1h 15m · ab initio 1h
- 17 May Mon Afternoon
Paper 2 – Reading comprehension
B HL / SL 1h · ab initio 1h
18 May
Tue · Morning
Paper 2 – Listening comprehension
B HL 1h · B SL 45m · ab initio 45m
Latin
4 May
Tue · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
5 May
Wed · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 30m
Classical Greek
12 May
Wed · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
13 May
Thu · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 30m
Language & culture
23 Apr
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
SL 1h 30m
26 Apr
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
SL 1h 30m
Individuals and societies
Business Management
27 Apr
Tue · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL / SL 1h 30m
- 27 Apr Tue Afternoon
Paper 3
HL only 1h 15m
28 Apr
Wed · Morning
Paper 2
HL 1h 45m · SL 1h 30m
Economics
11 May
Tue · Afternoon
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 45m
12 May
Wed · Morning
Paper 1
HL / SL 1h 15m
- 12 May Wed Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h 45m
Geography
7 May
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 15m · SL 1h 30m
10 May
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 15m
- 10 May Mon Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h
Global Politics
14 May
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL / SL 1h 15m
- 14 May Fri Afternoon
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 45m
17 May
Mon · Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h 30m
History
3 May
Mon · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL / SL 1h
- 3 May Mon Afternoon
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 30m
4 May
Tue · Morning
Paper 3
HL only 2h 30m
Philosophy
7 May
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 45m
10 May
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h
- 10 May Mon Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h 15m
Psychology
29 Apr
Thu · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL / SL 1h 30m
- 29 Apr Thu Afternoon
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 30m
30 Apr
Fri · Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h 45m
Social and cultural anthropology
7 May
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
10 May
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 30m
Digital Society
14 May
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h 15m · SL 1h 30m
17 May
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
HL / SL 1h 15m
- 17 May Mon Morning
Paper 3
HL only 1h 15m
World religions
11 May
Tue · Afternoon
Paper 1
SL 1h 15m
12 May
Wed · Morning
Paper 2
SL 1h 30m
Sciences
Biology
10 May
Mon · Afternoon
Paper 1 (1a + 1b)
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
11 May
Tue · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 30m
Chemistry
5 May
Wed · Afternoon
Paper 1 (1a + 1b)
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
6 May
Thu · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 30m
Physics
28 Apr
Wed · Afternoon
Paper 1 (1a + 1b)
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
29 Apr
Thu · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 30m
Computer Science
30 Apr
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h · SL 1h 15m
3 May
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h · SL 1h 15m
Design Technology
5 May
Wed · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 1h 30m · SL 1h
6 May
Thu · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 30m
Sports, exercise and health science
28 Apr
Wed · Afternoon
Paper 1 (1a + 1b)
HL 1h 45m · SL 1h 30m
29 Apr
Thu · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 1h 30m
Mathematics
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
13 May
Thu · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
14 May
Fri · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
18 May
Tue · Afternoon
Paper 3
HL only 1h 15m
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation
13 May
Thu · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
14 May
Fri · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h · SL 1h 30m
18 May
Tue · Afternoon
Paper 3
HL only 1h 15m
Interdisciplinary
Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS)
30 Apr
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
HL 2h · SL 1h
3 May
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
HL 2h 30m · SL 2h
Literature and Performance
7 May
Fri · Morning
Paper 1
SL 1h 45m
School-based syllabus
School-based syllabus
23 Apr
Fri · Afternoon
Paper 1
SL
26 Apr
Mon · Morning
Paper 2
SL
Components without written examinations
Arts subjects (Visual Arts, Film, Theatre and Music), TOK and the EE are not listed in the exam timetable. Portfolios, essays and exhibitions follow school deadlines.
The learning journey
Local exam start times
Exams start at local school time. Morning and afternoon start times depend on the school's IB exam zone (A, B or C) and time zone. The same schedule applies to both sessions; daylight saving time is not adjusted separately.
| Zone | School time zone | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | UTC+9 to +12Japan, South Korea, eastern Australia, New Zealand | 10:00 | 14:00 |
| A | UTC+8Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia | 09:30 | 13:30 |
| A | UTC+3 to +7 | 09:00 | 13:00 |
| B | UTC+3 | 10:00 | 14:00 |
| B | UTC+2 | 09:30 | 13:30 |
| B | UTC+0 to +1United Kingdom | 09:00 | 13:00 |
| C | UTC−3 | 10:00 | 14:00 |
| C | UTC−4 | 09:30 | 13:30 |
| C | UTC−5 to −10Most of the United States and Canada | 08:30 | 12:30 |
Schools in the same UTC+3 time zone may start at different times: Zone A at 09:00 and Zone B at 10:00. The IB assigns each school its exam zone; it does not change between sessions. Follow your school's IB coordinator.
The learning journey
Results and next steps
- November 2026 results will be sent to schools from 21:00 GMT on 16 December. Students can access them in batches from 17 December, according to their time zone.
- May 2027 results are expected in early July (previously 5 or 6 July). The IB will confirm the date and time.
- Students cannot reschedule an examination themselves. In exceptional circumstances, the school must apply to the IB and receive approval.
- If a result is lower than expected, the school can advise on an Enquiry upon Results or a retake in a later session. Confirm the applicable rules and fees with the school's IB coordinator.
Source: IB final versions of the November 2026 examination schedule and May 2027 examination schedule (all exam zones). See the IB exam schedule. Check the IB website for any updates.
The learning journey
Plan revision around your exam dates
Share your timetable and a tutor can plan revision by subject and date: timed past-paper practice, review against the mark scheme and focused work on weaker papers.
Questions & answers
IB exam schedule FAQs
Exam dates, start times, timetable clashes and results
When are the November 2026 IB exams?
The session runs from Friday 23 October to Friday 13 November 2026. Only school-based syllabus papers are scheduled on the afternoon of 23 October; most subjects begin on 26 October.
When are the May 2027 IB exams?
The session runs from Friday 23 April to Tuesday 18 May 2027. Only school-based syllabus and Language & culture papers are scheduled on the afternoon of 23 April; most subjects begin on 26 April.
What time do IB exams start?
Exams start at local school time and depend on the school's zone and time zone. In UTC+8 areas (Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland China, Taiwan and Malaysia), morning papers start at 09:30 and afternoon papers at 13:30. In Japan, South Korea, eastern Australia and New Zealand they start at 10:00 and 14:00; in the UK at 09:00 and 13:00; and in most of the US and Canada at 08:30 and 12:30. Daylight saving time is not adjusted separately. Follow your school's IB coordinator.
When are IB results released?
November 2026 results will be sent to schools from 21:00 GMT on 16 December, with student access in batches from 17 December. May 2027 results are expected in early July, subject to IB confirmation.
What if two papers are scheduled in the same session?
This is a timetable clash. The school's IB coordinator arranges it under IB rules; students cannot change the schedule themselves. Add your subjects to My exam timetable on this page to see same-session clashes and contact your coordinator early.
Can I reschedule an exam because of another commitment?
Students cannot reschedule an exam themselves. In exceptional circumstances, the school must apply to the IB and receive approval.
Do TOK, the EE and arts subjects have written exams?
No written examination is listed here for TOK, the EE, Visual Arts, Film, Theatre or Music. Portfolios, essays and projects follow the deadlines set by the school.
When are the next November and May sessions?
The IB has indicated 22 October–12 November 2027 for the November session and 25 April–19 May 2028 for the May session, with no exam on 1 May. Dates remain subject to IB confirmation.