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

The IB organises its schedule into morning and afternoon sessions. Dates were identical worldwide; start times depended on each school's assigned exam zone (A, B or C).

Language B rows — English B and French B — are highlighted below.

This calendar is sized for the 12 weeks leading up to your final exam. Anchor Week 12 on the day your last paper sits, count backwards, and you have your start date. It works for any session.

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 IB-trained educator 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

Sitting French B in an upcoming session? Check your dates on the November 2026 schedule and start preparation early.

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

Securing sessions early is the difference between a 6 and a 7 — we book up months in advance.

Ready to Prepare?

The May 2026 session is behind us, but the method is not. Students who start structured revision early consistently outperform those who leave preparation to the final weeks — whichever session they sit.