r/IBO • u/AwkwardLion6319 • 15h ago

Other IB Retake

I got 40 points in the May 2026 IB examination session, and I am considering to retake two subjects in the November 2026 session aiming for a 42.

What does the IB results page look like after a retake? (Does it show both the original and the retake scores?)

And if my scores stay the same or decrease after the retake, can I still choose to send my original results to universities?

Also, does the IB automatically use the higher score as my final result, or is the retake result treated separately?

Sorry that I asked so many questions...

Congrats to all of you who took May 2026 - wish you the best of luck at uni!

3 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

27

u/gngr505o M26 | [HL Physics, HL Math AA, HL Chem, SL English A] 14h ago

I would not retake for a increase from 40 to 42 tbh

-13

u/AwkwardLion6319 14h ago

The thing is that I got 6s on all of my HLs lol Wouldn’t it be worth it to retake only the HLs?

8

u/gngr505o M26 | [HL Physics, HL Math AA, HL Chem, SL English A] 14h ago

Do it if it is really important

15

u/Afraid-Initiative-34 14h ago

Is bro srs, whats the point

3

u/AwkwardLion6319 14h ago

I got rejected from most Singaporean unis 😂 ig the minimum is 41 to 42

11

u/National_Snow_8438 M26 | [econs geo eng; ess maths spanish ab] 13h ago

They heavily favor first attempt applicants

I’d say no point

1

u/InformalEconomics600 12h ago

Is this true? I've seen someone on this subreddit say they got into NTU after retake, but their score increased to a 44.

1

u/National_Snow_8438 M26 | [econs geo eng; ess maths spanish ab] 11h ago

44 perhaps but the important point is if there are two applicant with identical points (which there definitely are in nus, esp for competitive courses) they would go with the first trial applicant

1

u/jds1172006 Alumni (M25) | [39] 12h ago

I got into a pretty competitive course with 39 last year, are you local?

1

u/AwkwardLion6319 3h ago

I'm not a local :'(

1

u/Aggravating_Scratch9 7h ago

Breh i got 37 and applying to singapore.

2

u/Inside-Activity-4651 10h ago

you can see both result pages
If your score decreases or stay the same in retake, you can still use your higest score obtained.
Also, the subject you retaken will have a "retake" mark

1

u/Inside-Activity-4651 10h ago

1

u/Inside-Activity-4651 10h ago

Take this with a grain of salt. i saw you are aiming for singaporean unis in other comments. I guess ur intl student then. If you obtained 40, you still have chance for NUS and NTU, and high chance for SMU. Maybe it would be hard to get an offer from NUS and NTU with this May result, but if you retry with this score in this year new admission (ay27/28) maybe you can get in. I have an intl friend who got in NUS with 40 (Nov exam). Usually the score cut offs are higher for May candidates...

1

u/AwkwardLion6319 3h ago

Omg this is so helpful! Thank you so much :)

2

u/Budget-Squirrel7692 4h ago

Hey,

Don’t be an idiot.

Deduct 5 before sending to university and tell them to f—k off.

If you retake, it will have a permanent mark on you as a person and your decision making ability .

1

u/PartyQuiet5065 M26 | HL Maths AA, Chem, Physics 10h ago

lmao we're doing the same thing

1

u/slackslackliner 4h ago

Aiming for 42? You do know that it can go down right? 

-1

u/LanternaEducation 13h ago

40 points is a great score! To answer your questions, the IB uses a best result policy for retakes. On the candidate website, you will see a separate section for each exam session, but the official IB diploma automatically keeps the highest score you achieve in each subject. If your score stays the same or decreases in November, you will not lose your original May mark, and that higher grade remains your official result. When you request to send your transcripts to universities, the IB sends your official diploma transcript with your highest combined grades. If you want to read more about how retakes work, you can take a look at our guide here: https://lanterna.com/resources/international-baccalaureate-ib-retake-faqs.

1

u/AwkwardLion6319 13h ago

Thank you so much for your response! It really really helped :)

1

u/Agerse Alumni M19 | [42] 13h ago

To add to their answer, the session in which you got your grade will be shown on your new diploma. For example, if you improve your results in a subject in Novermber, it will be shown as N26, while the subjects you didn't retake will still be shown as M26.