IB Exam Dates May 2026 – Full Schedule

The May 2026 IB examination session typically runs from late April through mid-May, spanning approximately three weeks across all IB Diploma Programme subjects at both Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL). DP2 students sitting their final IB exams require this complete schedule to create effective revision timetables, allocate study time strategically across six subjects, and avoid last-minute preparation stress.

Important Note: Specific examination dates for May 2026 must be verified through the official International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) examination schedule published on their website. Contact your IB coordinator for confirmed dates and times applicable to your school’s time zone.

Complete IB Exam Schedule May 2026

IB examinations follow a structured timetable with morning and afternoon sessions. Papers are scheduled to minimise subject conflicts and provide adequate rest periods between exams in the same subject.

Typical May Session Structure:

• Duration: 18–21 examination days
• Morning Sessions: Begin 09:00–10:00 local time
• Afternoon Sessions: Begin 13:00–14:00 local time
• Paper Spacing: Minimum 24 hours between papers of the same subject

Popular subjects including Biology HL, Chemistry HL, Physics HL, Math AA HL, Economics HL, and Psychology HL typically have papers distributed across the examination period with 2–3 days between Paper 1 and Paper 2, then 1–2 days before Paper 3.

Key Dates for IB May 2026 Session

Registration Deadlines

School registration for the May 2026 session closes in January 2026. Late registration periods extend through February 2026 with additional fees. Retake candidates register through their schools using the same deadlines.

Exam Period Overview

The first exam date falls in late April 2026, with final examinations concluding in mid-May 2026. The examination period includes 18–21 active testing days with rest days built into the schedule. The majority of students sit their main subject exams during the first two weeks of May.

Results Release Date

Official IB results for May 2026 release in early July 2026. Results become available online through the IB Candidates portal at 12:00 GMT on the designated release date. Remark requests must be submitted within 2–3 weeks of results publication.

How to Use This Exam Schedule for Revision Planning

Count Backwards from Your First Exam

Identify your earliest examination date to calculate available revision time. Students with early exams (late April) require completed content review by mid-March, allowing 6–8 weeks for intensive practice papers and technique refinement. There are three strategic approaches to scheduling revision based on exam dates: intensive blocks (two-week subject-specific focus), distributed practice (alternating subjects weekly), and paper-specific preparation (targeting Paper 1, 2, 3 individually).

Calculate the gaps between your subject papers. Math AA HL students typically sit Paper 1 on Day 3, Paper 2 on Day 6, and Paper 3 on Day 9 of the examination period. This three-day spacing allows focused revision between papers for formula memorisation, practice problems, and command term review.

Create Subject-Specific Revision Windows

Allocate 15–20 hours weekly to HL subjects during the eight weeks preceding examinations. SL subjects require 10–12 hours weekly during the same period. Schedule practice papers during the four weeks before exams, completing three to five past papers per subject under timed conditions matching the actual examination format.

Build rest days matching the actual exam schedule. If your Biology HL Paper 1 sits on a Monday morning, schedule lighter revision the Sunday before to maintain mental freshness.

Account for simultaneous exam preparation by creating subject rotation schedules that prevent neglecting any subject whilst intensively preparing for imminent papers.

Structured revision support is available during February–April for students preparing close to the exam period, offering mock paper practice aligned to the IB May examination format.

Subject-Specific Exam Schedules

IB Mathematics (AA & AI) Exam Dates

Mathematics examinations typically occur during Week 1 of the May session:

• Math AA HL: Paper 1 (Day 3), Paper 2 (Day 6), Paper 3 (Day 9)
• Math AA SL: Paper 1 (Day 3), Paper 2 (Day 6)
• Math AI HL: Paper 1 (Day 4), Paper 2 (Day 7), Paper 3 (Day 10)
• Math AI SL: Paper 1 (Day 4), Paper 2 (Day 7)

Paper durations: Paper 1 is 90 minutes (HL and SL), Paper 2 is 120 minutes (HL) or 90 minutes (SL), Paper 3 is 60 minutes (HL only).

IB Sciences Exam Dates

Science examinations span Weeks 1–2 of the May session:

• Biology HL: Paper 1 (60 minutes), Paper 2 (135 minutes), Paper 3 (75 minutes)
• Biology SL: Paper 1 (45 minutes), Paper 2 (90 minutes)
• Chemistry HL/SL: Papers mirror Biology scheduling patterns. Chemistry HL students complete three papers totalling 270 minutes of examination time.
• Physics: Examinations typically occur mid-session with similar paper distributions.

IB Economics & Business Management Exam Dates

Economics and Business Management examinations occur during Week 2:

• Economics HL: Paper 1 (Day 8), Paper 2 (Day 11), Paper 3 (Day 13)
• Economics SL: Paper 1 (Day 8), Paper 2 (Day 11)
• Business Management HL: Paper 1 (Day 9), Paper 2 (Day 12)
• Business Management SL: Paper 1 (Day 9), Paper 2 (Day 12)

IB Psychology Exam Dates

Psychology examinations typically schedule during Weeks 2–3:

• Psychology HL: Paper 1 (120 minutes), Paper 2 (120 minutes), Paper 3 (60 minutes)
• Psychology SL: Paper 1 (120 minutes), Paper 2 (60 minutes)

The 120-minute papers require strategic time allocation across Section A (response essays) and Section B (stimulus material analysis).

Important Reminders for May 2026 Exam Candidates

Time Zone Considerations

IB examinations are administered in local school time zones. Schools in Dubai sit examinations at UAE local time, whilst UK schools follow GMT/BST. International schools verify which time zone applies through their IB coordinator. Confirm exact start times two weeks before examinations to avoid confusion.

What Happens Between Papers

IB scheduling rules require a minimum of three hours between papers on the same day. Same-day multiple exams occur when students take subjects with non-conflicting timetables. Schools provide supervised study areas for students with back-to-back examinations.

Revision time between Paper 1 and Paper 2 of the same subject allows focused review of weak topics, formula sheets, and command term definitions. The 2–3 day gap enables targeted practice without overwhelming concurrent subject demands.

Mock Exam Alignment

Schedule school mock examinations 4–6 weeks before actual May sessions. Mock exams occurring in March 2026 provide realistic assessment conditions, identify knowledge gaps requiring intensive review, and reduce examination anxiety through familiarity with timing pressures.

Complete Paper 1 in the morning, followed by afternoon Paper 2 practice on separate days to simulate actual examination spacing. Use mock results to adjust revision priorities, allocating additional time to subjects scoring below target grades.

Preparing for Your IB Exams: Strategic Timeline

Not sure where you are in your preparation? A free 30-minute IB consultation can help you assess your current level, identify gaps, and create a personalised revision plan mapped to the May 2026 exam schedule.

Related IB Exam Preparation Resources

Explore subject-specific preparation guidance to support your revision alongside this schedule:

• IB Mathematics exam preparation – covering both Analysis and Approaches and Applications and Interpretation at HL and SL
• IB Biology revision support – Paper 1, 2, and 3 strategies with mark scheme guidance
• IB Chemistry exam preparation – HL and SL paper technique and past paper practice
• IB Economics and Business Management support – commentary analysis and exam technique

Take Control of Your May 2026 Preparation

The May 2026 IB examination session represents 18–21 days of intensive assessment across all Diploma Programme subjects. With this complete exam schedule framework, DP2 students can build strategic revision timetables that allocate time proportionally, prioritise challenging subjects, and develop confidence through structured preparation — whether aiming for top performance or working toward Diploma requirements.

IB Innovators provides comprehensive exam preparation support through 1-on-1 tutoring with certified IB examiners, seasonal group revision courses, and a complimentary 30-minute consultation to assess your current preparation and build a personalised plan for the May 2026 session.

→ Book your free 30-minute IB consultation to discuss your May 2026 exam strategy and build a personalised preparation plan with our certified examiners.

Frequently Asked Questions About May 2026 IB Exams