IB May 2026 Exam Dates, Study Calendar, and Preparation Guide

The IB organizes its exam schedule into morning and afternoon sessions. Start times depend on your school's assigned exam zone (A, B, or C). Confirm your exact local times with your IB Coordinator.

For Singapore students, morning exam sessions begin at 8:00 AM SGT (UTC+8). Plan your revision schedule around Singapore public holidays in April and May, including Vesak Day in May and the possible timing of Hari Raya Haji.

Source: Official IB Examination Schedule – May 2026 (PDF), International Baccalaureate Organization.

IB Results Day for May 2026: July 6, 2026.

This calendar covers 12 weeks from the start of March through the final exam on May 20. The exam window opens in Week 8.

It is designed for students balancing multiple IB subjects. Adjust the weekly focus based on your personal exam dates and weaker areas.

Language B exams test productive and receptive skills across five prescribed themes: identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organization, and sharing the planet.

Paper 1 (Writing)

Paper 1 requires you to produce a written text in response to a prompt. You choose from three tasks, each linked to a different text type (blog post, speech, article, letter, report, and others).

Strong answers demonstrate a clear sense of audience, purpose, and register.

Preparation tip: Practice writing at least one text type per week under timed conditions. Use the IB text type conventions checklist to self-assess before submitting to a tutor. For more detail on writing technique, see our guide to scoring a 7 in IB French B.

Paper 2 (Reading and Listening Comprehension)

Paper 2 is split into two parts. The reading comprehension section presents authentic texts with questions that test understanding at multiple levels.

The listening comprehension section uses audio recordings of conversations, interviews, or presentations.

Preparation tip: Build daily listening habits with authentic media. For French B, use France Inter podcasts, TV5Monde clips, and RFI Journal en français facile. For English B, use BBC Learning English, TED Talks, and NPR podcasts. Timed practice with past papers is essential for both reading and listening.

Our French tutoring is led by an IB-appointed examiner and curriculum developer with 20 years of international teaching experience across France, Singapore, and Canada.

What you get:

• One-on-one sessions tailored to SL or HL requirements
• Targeted Paper 1 writing workshops covering all text types
• Paper 2 reading and listening drills using authentic French-language materials
• Thematic vocabulary building across all five IB prescribed themes
• Individual Oral (IO) preparation with feedback on structure, register, and cultural references
• Practice with past papers and detailed mark scheme analysis

Your French B exams are on May 19–20. Start preparation now to give yourself the strongest foundation heading into the exam.

Our English tutoring supports students at both SL and HL levels. Sessions are designed to strengthen writing precision, reading speed, and listening accuracy.

What you get:

• One-on-one sessions adapted to your current level and target grade
• Paper 1 writing practice across all text types with detailed feedback
• Paper 2 reading comprehension strategies for vocabulary inference and text analysis
• Listening comprehension training with graded audio materials
• Individual Oral (IO) coaching with structured practice sessions
• Exam technique workshops focused on timing and mark scheme alignment

Your English B exams are on May 7–8. Time is limited — secure your sessions early.

Ready to Prepare?

The IB May 2026 exam window is less than two months away. Students who start structured revision early consistently outperform those who leave preparation to the final weeks.