Are you sitting your International Baccalaureate (IB) exams in May 2027? The IB has issued the final May 2027 examination schedule for the Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP). Knowing exactly when each paper falls is the first step in planning your revision. This guide covers the full timetable, the length of every paper, local start times, what's new in 2027, and tips from our tutors.
Key Takeaways
- The May 2027 IB exams run from Friday 23 April to Tuesday 18 May 2027. That's one day earlier than the end date the IB first announced (19 May).
- The main written exams start on Monday 26 April, and the session lasts just under four weeks.
- Maths: Analysis and Approaches and Applications and Interpretation HL paper 3 are the last exams, on the afternoon of 18 May.
- Students on the new Psychology, Computer Science and Design Technology courses sit new exam papers for the first time.
- Start times depend on your school's exam zone. Most schools start between 8:30 am and 10:00 am (morning) and 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm (afternoon) local time.
IB Exam Schedule May 2027
The schedule below is taken from the IB's May 2027 examination schedule (final version), which applies to all exam zones (A, B and C). The IB has sent it to schools, but at the time of writing it isn't yet listed on the IB's public exam schedule page. Paper lengths are shown in brackets. Where Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) papers have different lengths, both are listed.
For Language A, Language B and ab initio exams, English, French and Spanish are scheduled separately from all other languages. Check the right row for your language.
| Date | Morning session | Afternoon session |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, 23 Apr | No exams | School-based syllabus SL paper 1 Language & culture SL paper 1 (1h 30m) |
| Week 1 | ||
| Mon, 26 Apr | School-based syllabus SL paper 2 Language & culture SL paper 2 (1h 30m) | Language A Literature paper 1 (HL 2h 15m, SL 1h 15m) Language A Language & Literature paper 1 (HL 2h 15m, SL 1h 15m) Except English, French and Spanish |
| Tue, 27 Apr | Language A Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m) Language A Language & Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m) Except English, French and Spanish | Business Management HL/SL paper 1 (1h 30m) Business Management HL paper 3 (1h 15m) |
| Wed, 28 Apr | Business Management paper 2 (HL 1h 45m, SL 1h 30m) | Physics paper 1, parts 1a and 1b (HL 2h, SL 1h 30m) Sports, Exercise and Health Science paper 1, parts 1a and 1b (HL 1h 45m, SL 1h 30m) |
| Thu, 29 Apr | Physics paper 2 (HL 2h 30m, SL 1h 30m) Sports, Exercise and Health Science paper 2 (HL 2h 30m, SL 1h 30m) | Psychology HL/SL paper 1 (1h 30m) Psychology HL/SL paper 2 (1h 30m) |
| Fri, 30 Apr | Psychology HL paper 3 (1h 45m) | Computer Science paper 1 (HL 2h, SL 1h 15m) Environmental Systems and Societies paper 1 (HL 2h, SL 1h) |
| Week 2 | ||
| Mon, 3 May | Computer Science paper 2 (HL 2h, SL 1h 15m) Environmental Systems and Societies paper 2 (HL 2h 30m, SL 2h) | History HL/SL paper 1 (1h) History HL/SL paper 2 (1h 30m) |
| Tue, 4 May | History HL paper 3 (2h 30m) | Language B paper 1 (HL 1h 30m, SL 1h 15m) and paper 2 reading (1h) Language ab initio SL paper 1 (1h) and paper 2 reading (1h) Except English, French and Spanish Latin paper 1 (HL 2h, SL 1h 30m) |
| Wed, 5 May | Language B paper 2 listening (HL 1h, SL 45m) Language ab initio SL paper 2 listening (45m) Except English, French and Spanish Latin HL/SL paper 2 (1h 30m) | Chemistry paper 1, parts 1a and 1b (HL 2h, SL 1h 30m) Design Technology paper 1 (HL 1h 30m, SL 1h) |
| Thu, 6 May | Chemistry paper 2 (HL 2h 30m, SL 1h 30m) Design Technology paper 2 (HL 2h 30m, SL 1h 30m) | English A Literature paper 1 (HL 2h 15m, SL 1h 15m) English A Language & Literature paper 1 (HL 2h 15m, SL 1h 15m) English ab initio SL paper 1 (1h) and paper 2 reading (1h) |
| Fri, 7 May | English A Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m) English A Language & Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m) English B paper 2 listening (HL 1h, SL 45m) English ab initio SL paper 2 listening (45m) Literature & Performance SL paper 1 (1h 45m) | Geography paper 1 (HL 2h 15m, SL 1h 30m) Philosophy paper 1 (HL 2h 30m, SL 1h 45m) Social & Cultural Anthropology paper 1 (HL 2h, SL 1h 30m) |
| Week 3 | ||
| Mon, 10 May | Geography HL/SL paper 2 (1h 15m) and HL paper 3 (1h) Philosophy HL/SL paper 2 (1h) and HL paper 3 (1h 15m) Social & Cultural Anthropology paper 2 (HL 2h 30m, SL 1h 30m) | Biology paper 1, parts 1a and 1b (HL 2h, SL 1h 30m) |
| Tue, 11 May | Biology paper 2 (HL 2h 30m, SL 1h 30m) | Economics HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m) World Religions SL paper 1 (1h 15m) |
| Wed, 12 May | Economics HL/SL paper 1 (1h 15m) Economics HL paper 3 (1h 45m) World Religions SL paper 2 (1h 30m) | Classical Greek paper 1 (HL 2h, SL 1h 30m) Spanish A Literature paper 1 (HL 2h 15m, SL 1h 15m) Spanish A Language & Literature paper 1 (HL 2h 15m, SL 1h 15m) Spanish ab initio SL paper 1 (1h) and paper 2 reading (1h) |
| Thu, 13 May | Classical Greek HL/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 paper 2 listening (HL 1h, SL 45m) Spanish ab initio SL paper 2 listening (45m) | Maths: Analysis and Approaches paper 1 (HL 2h, SL 1h 30m) Maths: Applications and Interpretation paper 1 (HL 2h, SL 1h 30m) |
| Fri, 14 May | Maths: Analysis and Approaches paper 2 (HL 2h, SL 1h 30m) Maths: Applications and Interpretation paper 2 (HL 2h, SL 1h 30m) | Digital Society paper 1 (HL 2h 15m, SL 1h 30m) |
| Week 4 | ||
| Mon, 17 May | Digital Society HL/SL paper 2 (1h 15m) and HL paper 3 (1h 15m) Global Politics HL paper 3 (1h 30m) | French A Literature paper 1 (HL 2h 15m, SL 1h 15m) French A Language & Literature paper 1 (HL 2h 15m, SL 1h 15m) French ab initio SL paper 1 (1h) and paper 2 reading (1h) |
| Tue, 18 May | French A Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m) French A Language & Literature HL/SL paper 2 (1h 45m) French B paper 2 listening (HL 1h, SL 45m) French ab initio SL paper 2 listening (45m) | Maths: Analysis and Approaches HL paper 3 (1h 15m) Maths: Applications and Interpretation HL paper 3 (1h 15m) |
Source: IB Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme May 2027 examination schedule, final version. An exam cannot be rescheduled without approval from the IB, so always confirm your personal timetable with your school's IB coordinator.
There are no written exams for Visual Arts, Music, Theatre, Film or Dance. These subjects, along with Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE), are assessed through coursework that your school submits before the exams. If you're writing your TOK essay this year, see our guide to the May 2027 TOK essay titles.
Local Start Times for Your Exam Zone
Every IB school is given an exam zone (A, B or C). Your zone stays the same from one exam session to the next. Start times depend on your zone and your local time difference from UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). The IB says these times are local and do not need to be adjusted for daylight saving.
| Exam zone | Time difference from UTC | Morning start | Afternoon start |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | +3 to +7 | 9:00 am | 1:00 pm |
| A | +8 | 9:30 am | 1:30 pm |
| A | +9 to +12 | 10:00 am | 2:00 pm |
| B | 0 and +1 | 9:00 am | 1:00 pm |
| B | +2 | 9:30 am | 1:30 pm |
| B | +3 | 10:00 am | 2:00 pm |
| C | −3 | 10:00 am | 2:00 pm |
| C | −4 | 9:30 am | 1:30 pm |
| C | −5 to −10 | 8:30 am | 12:30 pm |
For example, a Zone A school in Singapore or Hong Kong (UTC +8) starts morning exams at 9:30 am. A Zone C school in Lima (UTC −5) starts at 8:30 am, and one in Buenos Aires (UTC −3) starts at 10:00 am. If your country changes its clocks for daylight saving, your IB coordinator will confirm which start time applies to your school.
What's Different in 2027?
If you're comparing with older timetables, such as our November 2026 exam schedule guide, here's what stands out:
- New exams for three subjects. May 2027 is the first exam session for the new Psychology, Computer Science and Design Technology courses. Computer Science and Design Technology no longer have a paper 3. Psychology students sit papers 1 and 2 in the same afternoon, and HL students sit the new paper 3 the next morning.
- Visual Arts has a new course, but still no exam. The new Visual Arts course is also first assessed in 2027, through coursework only.
- The Extended Essay follows a new guide. The EE you submit for May 2027 is marked against the new criteria. Our Extended Essay guide explains the changes.
- French is scheduled on its own. As in May 2026, English, French and Spanish each have their own language exam days. French is in the final week, on 17 and 18 May.
- The session ends a day earlier than announced. The IB first said the 2027 exams would end on Wednesday 19 May. The final schedule ends on Tuesday 18 May.
Worth knowing: Week 1 is the busiest for many students. If you take Business Management HL, Physics HL and Psychology HL, you have six exam sessions in four days, from the afternoon of Tuesday 27 April to the morning of Friday 30 April. Week 3 is similar for anyone taking Biology, Economics and Maths: six sessions between Monday 10 May and Friday 14 May. If your subjects fall in these weeks, finish your full practice papers for them before the session begins.
Key Dates Around Your Exams
- Before the exams: Your Extended Essay, TOK essay and internal assessments (IAs) are submitted by your school before the exam session. The IB's examiner calendar shows marking of May coursework starting between mid-March and mid-April, so your school's internal deadlines will be earlier than that.
- 5 July 2027: The IB normally releases May results on 5 July, according to its examiner calendar. Your coordinator will confirm the exact time for your school.
- July to September: This is the window for re-marks, which the IB calls enquiries upon results.
- 2028 session: The IB says the May 2028 exams are planned to run from Tuesday 25 April to Friday 19 May 2028, subject to confirmation.
Not sure how your results work? Read our complete guide to understanding your IB results and our overview of how your IB score is calculated. If a grade is close to a boundary, see our guide on whether you should get your IB scores re-marked.
Study Tips for IB Students
We asked our IB tutors for their most effective exam preparation strategies. Here's what they said:
- Plan backwards from your exam dates: Put every paper on a calendar and give the most time to your earliest exams and your hardest subjects.
- Know your command terms: IB questions use specific instruction words like "explain", "evaluate" and "discuss". Our guide to IB command terms shows what examiners expect for each one.
- Practise under exam conditions: Sit past papers with the correct time limits, and check your answers against the markschemes.
- Prepare for back-to-back papers: Most subjects have paper 1 in the afternoon and paper 2 the next morning. Practise sitting two papers in a row so you're used to the pace.
- Use specimen papers for new courses: Past papers for the old Psychology, Computer Science and Design Technology courses don't match the new exams. Ask your teacher for the IB's specimen papers.
- Look after your wellbeing: Sleep, food, exercise and short breaks help you stay focused over four weeks of exams. Parents can find advice in our guide to supporting your child through IB exam stress.
💡 Want to build better study habits? Read about the five key habits of high-achieving IB students.
Preparing for Key IB Subjects
Mathematics
IB Maths has two courses: Analysis and Approaches (AA) and Applications and Interpretation (AI). Papers 1 and 2 are on 13 and 14 May, and HL paper 3 is the very last exam, on 18 May.
- Practise with past papers: Work through full papers and IB-style questions, focusing on the topics you find hardest.
- Know your calculator: Paper 2 allows a graphing calculator, so learn its functions well before the exam.
- Show all your working: You can earn method marks even if your final answer is wrong.
- Plan for HL paper 3: There are four days between paper 2 and paper 3. Use them for problem-solving practice.
💡 Read our guides on how to score a 7 in Maths AA SL and how to score a 7 in Maths AI.
Sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Physics is early in week 1, Chemistry is mid-week 2 and Biology is at the start of week 3. Each has paper 1 in the afternoon and paper 2 the next morning.
- Make concise summary notes: Cover each topic with key concepts, equations and diagrams.
- Practise data analysis: Many marks come from reading graphs and interpreting experimental data.
- Use precise scientific language: Examiners reward accurate terminology in extended responses.
- Prepare for paper 1b: Paper 1 includes data-based questions in part 1b, so practise these alongside multiple-choice questions.
💡 Read our guides on how to score a 7 in IB Biology, IB Chemistry and IB Physics.
English A: Literature and Language & Literature
English A Literature and English A Language & Literature exams are on 6 and 7 May.
- Practise unseen analysis: Paper 1 asks you to analyse a text you haven't seen before. Practise regularly with different text types.
- Know your studied works well: For paper 2, prepare key quotations and themes for each work you might write about.
- Plan before you write: Spend 5 to 10 minutes planning so your essay has a clear argument and structure.
💡 See our list of 100+ literary devices every English student should know and our guide on how to score a 7 in English Language and Literature.
Psychology
May 2027 is the first exam for the new Psychology course. Papers 1 and 2 are both on the afternoon of 29 April, with HL paper 3 the next morning.
- Prepare for a long afternoon: Papers 1 and 2 are back to back, three hours in total. Practise sitting them together.
- Know your class practicals: Paper 2 asks questions about the research you carried out in class.
- Practise data questions (HL): Paper 3 is built around interpreting research data, so practise with unfamiliar studies.
💡 Our IB Psychology guide explains the new papers in detail.
History
History papers 1 and 2 are on 3 May, with HL paper 3 the next morning.
- Build timelines: Organise key events and periods in order so you can recall them quickly.
- Practise source analysis: For paper 1, consider each source's origin, purpose, value and limitations.
- Write clear arguments: For essays, state your thesis early and support it with specific evidence.
Business Management
Business Management is one of the first subjects on the timetable, on 27 and 28 April.
- Learn the business tools: Know how to apply tools like SWOT analysis, decision trees and force field analysis to a case.
- Practise with the case study: Paper 1 is based on a pre-released statement, so research the context and organisation well in advance.
- Use the right terms: Define key business terms clearly and apply them to the organisation in the question.
💡 Read our guide on how to score a 7 in IB Business Management.
Economics
Economics is in week 3, on 11 and 12 May.
- Master your diagrams: Practise drawing and labelling diagrams accurately and quickly.
- Use real-world examples: Strong answers apply theory to current, specific examples.
- Practise calculations: HL paper 3 includes quantitative questions, so practise these under timed conditions.
💡 Read our guide on how to score a 7 in IB Economics.
Geography
Geography paper 1 is on the afternoon of 7 May, with paper 2 and HL paper 3 on the morning of 10 May.
- Know your case studies: Learn specific facts, figures and places for each case study so your answers are detailed.
- Practise maps and graphs: Many questions ask you to describe or interpret maps, graphs and diagrams.
- Use geographical terminology: Accurate terms and concepts help you reach the higher mark bands.
💡 Read our guide on how to score a 7 in IB Geography.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do IB exams start in May 2027?
The May 2027 IB session starts on Friday 23 April 2027 with School-based syllabus and Language & culture SL paper 1. The main written exams begin on Monday 26 April 2027.
When do May 2027 IB exams end?
The final exams are on Tuesday 18 May 2027. French is in the morning, and Maths HL paper 3 (both AA and AI) is in the afternoon.
What time do IB exams start?
It depends on your school's exam zone and time difference from UTC. Morning exams start between 8:30 am and 10:00 am local time, and afternoon exams between 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. Your IB coordinator will confirm your exact start times.
When are the May 2027 IB results released?
The IB normally releases May results on 5 July. Your school will confirm the exact date and time for May 2027.
Can I reschedule an IB exam?
Only with approval from the IB. Your school's IB coordinator must apply on your behalf, following the IB's assessment procedures.
Need Help Preparing for Your IB Exams?
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