For students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (IBDP), knowing when exams take place is essential for effective planning and preparation. IB exams are typically held during the May session, with a secondary session in November for select students or resits.
Each subject has a specific schedule and duration, and understanding the exact dates helps students allocate sufficient study time, manage their workload, and reduce stress during the exam period.
At Ignite Training Institute in Dubai, UAE, students receive expert guidance to navigate the IB curriculum with confidence. With experienced IB tutors specializing in IBDP and MYP subjects, Ignite provides tailored coaching, exam strategies, and structured study plans to help students prepare effectively for their exams.
When Are The IB Exams Held Each Year?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) exams are a crucial part of the IB Diploma Programme (DP), and knowing their schedule is essential for effective preparation. IB exams are held twice a year, in May and November, depending on the school’s schedule and regional requirements.
1. May Session
The May session is the main exam period and is the most common for students worldwide. Exams typically begin in the first two weeks of May and can run for about two to three weeks, depending on the number of subjects a student is taking. This session is primarily for students in the Northern Hemisphere, including most IB schools in Europe, Asia, and North America.
2. November Session
The November session is smaller and usually caters to students in the Southern Hemisphere or schools following a different academic calendar. These exams generally take place in the first two weeks of November. While fewer students sit for the November session, the structure and rigor of the exams remain the same as in May.
Related: How To Study For IB Exams? 10 Preparation Tips That Works
When Are The IB Exams In 2025? A Complete Timetable For November Session
The IB October 2025 examination session will begin on Friday, 24 October 2025, and continue until Friday, 14 November 2025. Below is the detailed timetable for key subjects:
Friday, 24 October 2025
Morning Session
- No Exams
Afternoon Session
- School-based syllabus SL Paper 1
Week 1
Monday, 27 October 2025
Morning Session
- School-based syllabus SL Paper 2
Afternoon Session
- Language A Literature HL Paper 1 (2h 15m)
- Language A Literature SL Paper 1 (1h 15m)
- Language A Language & Literature HL Paper 1 (2h 15m)
- Language A Language & Literature SL Paper 1 (1h 15m) (Except English & Spanish)
Tuesday, 28 October 2025
Morning Session
- Language A Literature HL/SL Paper 2 (1h 45m)
- Language A Language & Literature HL/SL Paper 2 (1h 45m) (Except English & Spanish)
Afternoon Session
- Biology HL Paper 1 (2h)
- Biology SL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Morning Session
- Biology HL Paper 2 (2h 30m)
- Biology SL Paper 2 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session
- Business Management HL/SL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Business Management HL Paper 3 (1h 15m)
Thursday, 30 October 2025
Morning Session
- Business Management HL Paper 2 (1h 45m)
- Business Management SL Paper 2 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session
- Spanish A Literature HL Paper 1 (2h 15m)
- Spanish A Literature SL Paper 1 (1h 15m)
- Spanish A Language & Literature HL Paper 1 (2h 15m)
- Spanish A Language & Literature SL Paper 1 (1h 15m)
- Spanish B HL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Spanish B HL Paper 2 Reading Comprehension (1h)
- Spanish B SL Paper 1 (1h 15m)
- Spanish B SL Paper 2 Reading Comprehension (1h)
- Spanish ab initio SL Paper 1 (1h)
- Spanish ab initio SL Paper 2 Reading Comprehension (1h)
Friday, 31 October 2025
Morning Session
- Spanish A Literature HL/SL Paper 2 (1h 45m)
- Spanish A Language & Literature HL/SL Paper 2 (1h 45m)
- Spanish B HL Paper 2 Listening (1h)
- Spanish B SL Paper 2 Listening (45m)
- Spanish ab initio SL Paper 2 Listening (45m)
Afternoon Session
- Chemistry HL Paper 1 (2h)
- Chemistry SL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Design Technology HL Paper 1 (1h)
- Design Technology SL Paper 1 (45m)
- Design Technology HL/SL Paper 2 (1h 30m)
Week 2
Monday, 3 November 2025
Morning Session:
- Chemistry HL Paper 2 (2h 30m)
- Chemistry SL Paper 2 (1h 30m)
- Design Technology HL Paper 3 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session:
- History HL/SL Paper 1 (1h)
- History HL/SL Paper 2 (1h 30m)
Tuesday, 4 November 2025
Morning Session:
- History HL Paper 3 (2h 30m)
Afternoon Session:
- Language B HL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Language B HL Paper 2 Reading Comprehension (1h 15m)
- Language B SL Paper 1 (1h)
- Language B SL Paper 2 Reading Comprehension (1h)
- Language ab initio SL Paper 1 (1h)
- Language ab initio SL Paper 2 Reading Comprehension (1h) (Except English & Spanish)
- Latin HL Paper 1 (2h)
- Latin SL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
Wednesday, 5 November 2025
Morning Session:
- Language B HL Paper 2 Listening Comprehension (1h)
- Language B SL Paper 2 Listening Comprehension (45m)
- Language ab initio SL Paper 2 Listening Comprehension (45m) (Except English & Spanish)
- Latin HL/SL Paper 2 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session:
- Physics HL Paper 1 (2h)
- Physics SL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Sports, Exercise & Health Science HL Paper 1 (1h)
- Sports, Exercise & Health Science HL Paper 3 (1h 15m)
- Sports, Exercise & Health Science SL Paper 1 (45m)
- Sports, Exercise & Health Science SL Paper 3 (1h)
Thursday, 6 November 2025
Morning Session:
- Physics HL Paper 2 (2h 30m)
- Physics SL Paper 2 (1h 30m)
- Sports, Exercise & Health Science HL Paper 2 (2h 15m)
- Sports, Exercise & Health Science SL Paper 2 (1h 15m)
Afternoon Session:
- English A Literature HL Paper 1 (2h 15m)
- English A Literature SL Paper 1 (1h 15m)
- English A Language & Literature HL Paper 1 (2h 15m)
- English A Language & Literature SL Paper 1 (1h 15m)
- English B HL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
- English B HL Paper 2 Reading Comprehension (1h)
- English B SL Paper 1 (1h 15m)
- English B SL Paper 2 Reading Comprehension (1h)
- English ab initio SL Paper 1 (1h)
- English ab initio SL Paper 2 Reading Comprehension (1h)
Friday, 7 November 2025
Morning Session:
- English A Literature HL/SL Paper 2 (1h 45m)
- English A Language & Literature HL/SL Paper 2 (1h 45m)
- English B HL Paper 2 Listening Comprehension (1h)
- English B SL Paper 2 Listening Comprehension (45m)
- English ab initio SL Paper 2 Listening Comprehension (45m)
Afternoon Session:
- Economics HL/SL Paper 2 (1h 45m)
- Literature & Performance SL Paper 1 (1h 45m)
Week 3
Monday, 10 November 2025
Morning Session:
- Economics HL Paper 1 (1h 15m)
- Economics HL Paper 3 (1h 45m)
- Economics SL Paper 1 (1h 15m)
Afternoon Session:
- Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches HL Paper 1 (2h)
- Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches SL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation HL Paper 1 (2h)
- Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation SL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
Tuesday, 11 November 2025
Morning Session:
- Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches HL Paper 2 (2h)
- Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches SL Paper 2 (1h 30m)
- Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation HL Paper 2 (2h)
- Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation SL Paper 2 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session:
- Digital Society HL Paper 1 (2h 15m)
- Digital Society SL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Geography HL Paper 1 (2h 15m)
- Geography SL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Global Politics HL/SL Paper 1 (1h 15m)
- Social & Cultural Anthropology HL Paper 1 (2h)
- Social & Cultural Anthropology SL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Morning Session:
- Digital Society HL/SL Paper 2 (1h 15m)
- Digital Society HL Paper 3 (1h 15m)
- Geography HL/SL Paper 2 (1h 15m)
- Geography HL Paper 3 (1h)
- Global Politics HL Paper 2 (2h 45m)
- Global Politics SL Paper 2 (1h 45m)
- Social & Cultural Anthropology HL Paper 2 (2h 30m)
- Social & Cultural Anthropology SL Paper 2 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session:
- Computer Science HL Paper 1 (2h 10m)
- Computer Science SL Paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Environmental Systems & Societies SL Paper 1 (1h)
Thursday, 13 November 2025
Morning Session:
- Computer Science HL Paper 2 (1h 20m)
- Computer Science HL Paper 3 (1h)
- Computer Science SL Paper 2 (1h)
Afternoon Session:
- Philosophy HL Paper 1 (2h 30m)
- Philosophy SL Paper 1 (1h 45m)
- Psychology HL/SL Paper 1 (2h)
Friday, 14 November 12025
Morning Session:
- Philosophy HL/SL Paper 2 (1h)
- Philosophy HL Paper 3 (1h 15m)
- Psychology HL Paper 2 (2h)
- Psychology HL Paper 3 (1h)
- Psychology SL Paper 2 (1h)
Afternoon Session:
- Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches HL Paper 3 (1h 15m)
- Mathematics: Applications & Interpretation HL Paper 3 (1h 15m)
Related: IB Diploma GPA Calculator: Easily Estimate Your IB GPA Online
When Are The IB Exams In 2025? A Complete Timetable For May Session
The IB May 2025 exam session will take place from the 25th of April to the 21st of May. The exact examination timetable is as follows:
Friday 25 April
Morning Session
- No exams
- Afternoon session
- School-based syllabus paper 1
- Language & culture SL paper 1 (1h 30m)
Week 1
Monday 28 April
Morning Session
- School-based syllabus SL paper 2
- Language & culture SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session
- Language A Literature HL paper 1 (2h 15m)
- Language A Literature SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- Language A Language & Literature HL paper 1 (2h 15m)
- Language A Language & Literature SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- *Except: English, French, Spanish
Tuesday 29 April
Morning Session
- Language A Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m)
- Language A Language & Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m)
- *Except: English, French, Spanish
Afternoon Session
- Physics HL paper 1 1a and 1b (2h)
- Physics SL paper 1 1a and 1b (1h 30m)
- Sports, exercise & health science HL paper 1 (1h)
- Sports, exercise & health science HL paper 3 (1h 15m)
- Sports, exercise & health science SL paper 1 (45m)
- Sports, exercise & health science SL paper 3 (1h)
Wednesday 30 April
Morning Session
- Physics HL paper 2 (2h 30m)
- Physics SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
- Sports, exercise & health science HL paper 2 (2h 15m)
- Sports, exercise & health science SL paper 2 (1h 15m)
Afternoon Session
- Business management HL/SL paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Business management HL paper 3 (1h 15m)
Thursday 1 May
Morning Session
- No exams
Afternoon session
- No exams
Friday 2 May
Morning Session
- Business management HL paper 2 (1h 45m)
- Business management SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session
- Computer science HL paper 1 (2h 10m)
- Computer science SL paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Environmental systems & societies SL paper 1 (1h)
Week 2
Monday 5 May
Morning Session
- Computer science HL paper 2 (1h 20m)
- Computer science HL paper 3 (1h)
- Computer science SL paper 2 (1h)
- Environmental systems & societies SL paper 2 (2h)
Afternoon Session
- History HL/SL paper 1 (1h)
- History HL/SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
Tuesday 6 May
Morning Session
- History HL paper 3 (2h 30m)
Afternoon Session
- Language B HL paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Language B HL paper 2 – Reading comprehension (1h)
- Language B SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- Language B SL paper 2 – Reading comprehension (1h)
- Language ab initio SL paper 1 (1h)
- Language ab initio SL paper 2 – Reading comprehension (1h)
- *Except: English, French, Spanish
- Latin HL paper 1 (2h)
- Latin SL paper 1 (1h 30m)
Wednesday 7 May
Morning Session
- Language B HL paper 2 – Listening comprehension (1h)
- Language B SL paper 2 – Listening comprehension (45m)
- Language ab initio SL paper 2 – Listening comprehension (45m)
- *Except: English, French, Spanish
- Latin HL paper 2 (1h 30m)
- Latin SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session
- Psychology HL paper 1 (2h)
- Psychology SL paper 1 (2h)
Thursday 8 May
Morning Session
- Psychology HL paper 2 (2h)
- Psychology HL paper 3 (1h)
- Psychology SL paper 2 (1h)
Afternoon Session
- English A Literature HL paper 1 (2h 15m)
- English A Literature SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- English A Language & Literature HL paper 1 (2h 15m)
- English A Language & Literature SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- English B HL paper 1 (1h 30m)
- English B HL paper 2 – Reading comprehension (1h)
- English B SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- English B SL paper 2 – Reading comprehension (1h)
- English ab initio SL paper 1 (1h)
- English ab initio SL paper 2 – Reading comprehension (1h)
Friday 9 May
Morning Session
- English A Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m)
- English A Language & Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m)
- English B HL paper 2 – Listening comprehension (1h)
- English B SL paper 2 – Listening comprehension (45m)
- English ab initio SL paper 2 – Listening comprehension (45m)
- Literature & performance SL paper 1 (1h 45m)
Afternoon Session
- Geography HL paper 1 (2h 15m)
- Geography SL paper 1 1h 30m)
- Philosophy HL paper 1 (2h 30m)
- Philosophy SL paper 1 (1h 45m)
- Social & cultural anthropology HL paper 1 (2h)
- Social & cultural anthropology SL paper 1 (1h 30m)
Week 3
Monday 12 May
Morning Session
- Geography HL/SL paper 2 (1h 15m)
- Geography HL paper 3 (1h)
- Philosophy HL/SL paper 2 (1h)
- Philosophy HL paper 3 (1h 15m)
- Social & cultural anthropology HL paper 2 (2h 30m)
- Social & cultural anthropology SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session
- Biology HL paper 1 1a and 1b (2h)
- Biology SL paper 1 1a and 1b (1h 30m)
Tuesday 13 May
Morning Session
- Biology HL paper 2 (2h 30m)
- Biology SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session
- Economics HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m)
- World religions paper 1 (1h 15m)
Wednesday 14 May
Morning Session
- Economics HL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- Economics HL paper 3 (1h 45m)
- Economics SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- World religions SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session
- Classical Greek HL paper 1 (2h)
- Classical Greek SL paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Spanish A Literature HL paper 1 (2h 15m)
- Spanish A Literature SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- Spanish A Language & Literature HL paper 1 (2h 15m)
- Spanish A Language & Literature SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- Spanish B HL paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Spanish B HL paper 2 – Reading comprehension (1h)
- Spanish B SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- Spanish B SL paper 2 – Reading comprehension (1h)
- Spanish ab initio SL paper 1 (1h)
- Spanish ab initio SL paper 2 – Reading comprehension (1h)
Thursday 15 May
Morning Session
- Classical Greek HL paper 2 (1h 30m)
- Classical Greek SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
- Spanish A Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m)
- Spanish A Language & Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m)
- Spanish B HL paper 2 – Listening comprehension (1h)
- Spanish B SL paper 2 – Listening comprehension (45m)
- Spanish ab initio SL paper 2 – Listening comprehension (45m)
Afternoon Session
- Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL paper 1 (2h)
- Mathematics analysis and approaches SL paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL paper 1 (2h)
- Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL paper 1 (1h 30m)
Friday 16 May
Morning Session
- Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL paper 2 (2h)
- Mathematics: analysis and approaches SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
- Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL paper 2 (2h)
- Mathematics: applications and interpretation SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session
- Chemistry HL paper 1 1a and 1b (2h)
- Chemistry SL paper 1 1a and 1b (1h 30m)
- Design technology HL paper 1 (1h)
- Design technology SL paper 1 (45m)
- Design technology HL/SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
Week 4
Monday 19 May
Morning Session
- Chemistry HL paper 2 (2h 30m)
- Chemistry SL paper 2 (1h 30m)
- Design technology HL paper 3 (1h 30m)
Afternoon Session
- Digital society HL paper 1 (2h 15m)
- Digital society SL paper 1 (1h 30m)
- Global politics HL/SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
Tuesday 20 May
Morning Session
- Digital society HL/SL paper 2 (1h 15m)
- Digital society HL paper 3 (1h 15m)
- Global politics HL paper 2 (2h 45m)
- Global politics SL paper 2 (1h 45)
Afternoon Session
- French A Literature HL paper 1 (2h 15m)
- French A Literature SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- French A Language & Literature HL paper 1 (2h 15m)
- French A Language & Literature SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- French B HL paper 1 (1h 30m)
- French B HL paper 2 – Reading comprehension (1h)
- French B SL paper 1 (1h 15m)
- French B SL paper 2 – Reading comprehension (1h)
- French ab initio SL paper 1 (1h)
- French ab initio SL paper 2 – Reading comprehension (1h)
Wednesday 21 May
Morning Session
- French A Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m)
- French A Language & Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45)
- French B HL paper 2 – Listening comprehension (1h)
- French B SL paper 2 – Listening comprehension (45m)
- French ab initio SL paper 2 – Listening comprehension (45m)
Afternoon Session
- Mathematics: analysis and approaches HL paper 3 (1h 15m)
- Mathematics: applications and interpretation HL paper 3 (1h 15m)
Related: 10 IB Learner Profile Attributes Shaping Your Fututre
When Are The IB Exams In 2026?
The May 2026 IB exam session is set to run from Friday, 24 April 2026, to Wednesday, 20 May 2026.
The November 2026 IB exam session is scheduled to begin around Friday, 26 October 2026 (or thereabouts, depending on region) and run into November.
Students will be assigned to one of several exam “zones” (based on time zones/regions) with morning and afternoon sessions differing slightly by region.
Related: IB Subject Choices: A 2025 Guide For Subject Combinations
How Students Can Effectively Manage Their IB Exam Schedule?
Managing your IB exam schedule effectively is crucial for maximizing performance and reducing stress. The IB Diploma Programme covers multiple subjects, often with exams spanning several weeks, making organization and planning essential. Here are strategies to help students handle their IB exam timetable efficiently:
1. Know Your Exam Dates Early
As soon as the official IB exam schedule is released by your school, mark all exam dates on a calendar. Highlight higher-weighted or more challenging subjects to allocate extra preparation time. Knowing your schedule in advance allows you to plan study blocks, revision sessions, and breaks strategically.
2. Create A Study Plan
Break down your preparation into daily and weekly study goals. Allocate more time to subjects that are difficult or have exams scheduled earlier in the session. Use techniques like active recall, spaced repetition, and timed practice tests to reinforce knowledge and improve retention.
3. Prioritize Rest & Self-Care
While studying is important, it’s equally crucial to maintain sleep, nutrition, and exercise routines. Cramming all night can lead to burnout and reduce performance. Short breaks during study sessions help improve focus and consolidate memory.
4. Simulate Exam Conditions
Practice past papers under timed conditions similar to the actual IB exams. This builds familiarity with the exam format and improves time management during real tests. For subjects with multiple papers, simulate the sequence of exams to get comfortable with transitioning between sections.
5. Use A Subject Rotation Strategy
Instead of studying one subject intensively for long periods, rotate between subjects in a single day. This keeps your mind fresh, reinforces learning across topics, and prevents fatigue. Pair harder subjects with easier ones to balance cognitive load.
6. Stay Organized During The Exam Session
Keep all exam materials, stationery, calculators, and identification ready in advance. Arrive at the exam center early to reduce anxiety and allow time to settle in. During the session, keep track of the time per section to ensure you can complete all questions.
Related: Top Colleges That Accept IB Diploma In The USA, UK, & UAE
Ignite Training Institute: Expert IB Tutors In Dubai For Exam Preparation
Ignite Training Institute in Dubai, UAE, offers expert tutoring for students pursuing the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), helping them excel in exams and achieve academic success.
With a team of highly qualified tutors specializing in IB subjects, Ignite provides personalized guidance tailored to each student’s strengths and learning style.
The structured IB programs combine concept mastery, targeted practice, and exam strategies, ensuring students build both confidence and competence for high-stakes IB assessments.
Beyond academic support, Ignite Training Institute focuses on time management, study planning, and exam readiness, equipping students with the skills to tackle complex IB challenges efficiently.
Whether it’s preparing for IBDP final exams or MYP assessments, Ignite’s proven methodology and supportive environment make it a trusted choice for students in Dubai aiming to maximize their IB scores and overall learning potential.
FAQs
1. How long do IB exams last?
The duration of IB exams depends on the subject and level. Most exams last 1.5 to 2.5 hours, with Higher Level (HL) exams typically longer than Standard Level (SL) exams. Certain subjects, like Language and Literature or sciences, may include multiple papers or components, extending the total exam time.
2. When do students receive their IB exam schedule?
Schools provide students with the official IB exam timetable several months before the session, usually by February for the May session and by September for the November session. This schedule includes dates, times, and exam room assignments for each subject.
3. Can IB exam dates vary by school or region?
While the IB sets the official exam session, exact exam times and schedules may vary slightly depending on the school or time zone. Students should always confirm with their school’s IB coordinator for the most accurate schedule.
4. How can students prepare for the IB exam schedule?
Students should plan their revision around the official exam dates, prioritize subjects with earlier exams, and practice timed past papers. Creating a study timetable that aligns with the IB schedule ensures effective preparation without last-minute stress.
Conclusion
Understanding when the IB exams take place is a key part of planning your academic success. With exams typically scheduled in May and November, early preparation and smart time management can make all the difference in achieving top scores. By keeping track of important dates, organizing the study schedule, and practicing consistently, students can approach their IB exams with confidence and clarity.
Related: IB Grades Explained For Top US & UK University Admissions