The IB Diploma May 2026 exams run from Friday 24 April to Wednesday 20 May 2026. Results are released on 5-6 July 2026. The UAE is in IB Exam Zone A. Sciences now follow a new 2-paper structure (no more Paper 3). Below is the complete timetable with all subjects, the new exam format, and grading explained.
KEY DATES AT A GLANCE
- Exam period: 24 April – 20 May 2026 (no exams 1 May)
- UAE zone: Zone A
- Results to schools: Sunday 5 July 2026 (12:00 GMT)
- Results to candidates: Monday 6 July 2026 (12:00 GMT)
- Maximum score: 45 points (42 subjects + 3 bonus)
Key Dates & Deadlines
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Extended Essay submission | ~15 March 2026 |
| Exam period begins | Friday 24 April 2026 |
| No exams (public holiday) | Friday 1 May 2026 |
| Exam period ends | Wednesday 20 May 2026 |
| Results to schools | Sunday 5 July 2026 |
| Results to candidates | Monday 6 July 2026 |
Week-by-Week Exam Schedule
Week 1: 24 April – 30 April
| Date | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Fri 24 Apr | Session begins (minor subjects) |
| Mon 27 Apr | Arabic A Paper 1 |
| Tue 28 Apr | Arabic A Paper 2, Physics Paper 1 (1A+1B) |
| Wed 29 Apr | Physics Paper 2, Business Management P1 |
| Thu 30 Apr | Business Management P2, Computer Science P1 |
Week 2: 4 – 8 May
| Date | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Mon 4 May | History Paper 1, Computer Science P2 |
| Tue 5 May | History Paper 2, History Paper 3 (HL) |
| Wed 6 May | Psychology Paper 1 |
| Thu 7 May | English A Paper 1 (HL 2h15m / SL 1h15m), Psychology P2 |
| Fri 8 May | English A Paper 2 (1h45m), Geography P1 |
Week 3: 11 – 15 May (Busiest Week)
| Date | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Mon 11 May | Biology Paper 1 (1A+1B), Geography P2 |
| Tue 12 May | Biology Paper 2, Economics P1 |
| Wed 13 May | Economics P2, Economics P3 (HL) |
| Thu 14 May | Maths AA/AI Paper 1 (HL 2h / SL 1h30m) |
| Fri 15 May | Maths AA/AI Paper 2, Chemistry Paper 1 (1A+1B) |
Week 4: 18 – 20 May (Final Week)
| Date | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Mon 18 May | Chemistry Paper 2 |
| Tue 19 May | French B Papers |
| Wed 20 May | Maths AA/AI Paper 3 (HL only) — LAST EXAM |
Week 3 (May 11-15) is the most demanding week — Biology, Economics, Mathematics, and Chemistry all have papers. Students taking a standard combination of Sciences + Maths will have exams on 4-5 consecutive days. Plan revision to peak during this week.
New Science Exam Structure (from May 2025)
IB Sciences have a completely new exam structure. The old 3-paper format has been replaced:
| Component | HL Duration | SL Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1A (Multiple Choice) + Paper 1B (Data-Based) | 2h (combined) | 1h 30m (combined) |
| Paper 2 (Extended Response) | 2h 30m | 1h 30m |
Key change: Papers 1A and 1B are sat together in one session (you receive both question booklets). There is no separate Paper 3. This means each Science has only 2 exam sessions instead of 3 — fewer separate exam days but longer individual sessions.
For specialist preparation on the new Science format, GetYourTutors provides experienced Physics, Chemistry, and Biology tutors who are familiar with the updated IB curriculum and exam structure.
Mathematics Dates
Both Maths AA (Analysis & Approaches) and Maths AI (Applications & Interpretation) follow the same timetable:
| Paper | Date | HL Duration | SL Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (no calculator) | Thu 14 May | 2h | 1h 30m |
| Paper 2 (calculator) | Fri 15 May | 2h | 1h 30m |
| Paper 3 (HL only) | Wed 20 May | 1h | — |
Maths Paper 3 (HL only) is the very last exam of the May 2026 session. Our Mathematics tutors in Dubai specialise in both IB Maths AA and AI at HL and SL levels.
Humanities & Business Dates
| Subject | Papers | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | P1, P2, P3 (HL) | 12–13 May |
| Business Management | P1, P2 | 29–30 April |
| History | P1, P2, P3 (HL — 2h30m) | 4–5 May |
| Geography | P1, P2 | 8 + 11 May |
| Psychology | P1, P2, P3 (HL) | 6–7 May |
November 2026 Session
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Exam window | 23 October – 13 November 2026 |
| Results | ~January 2027 |
How IB Grading Works
Each IB Diploma subject is graded 1-7 (7 highest). With 6 subjects, the maximum from subjects is 42 points. An additional 3 bonus points can be earned from the TOK/EE matrix, giving a maximum of 45 points.
To be awarded the IB Diploma, you must:
- Score at least 24 points total
- Score at least 12 points from HL subjects
- Not score below 2 in any subject
- Complete CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirements
- Submit the Extended Essay and TOK essay/exhibition
What Should Students Do Now?
- Map your personal timetable. Identify which of your 6 subjects fall on which days. Week 3 (May 11-15) is likely your busiest — plan accordingly.
- Prioritise HL subjects. HL papers carry more weight and are longer. Allocate more revision time to your 3 HL subjects.
- Practise the new Science format. If you take Sciences, get familiar with the combined Paper 1A+1B format. Practise completing both within the time limit.
- Use past papers strategically. IB past papers from 2025 onwards use the new format. Pre-2025 papers are still useful for content but the question style has changed.
- Don't neglect TOK and EE. Up to 3 bonus points from the TOK/EE matrix can be the difference between 35 and 38 points — which affects university offers significantly.
GetYourTutors provides specialist IB tutors in Dubai covering all 6 subject groups, including DP-specific tutors who understand the new exam structures and internal assessment requirements.
SOURCES
- International Baccalaureate Organization — May 2026 Exam Schedule (PDF)
- IBO — Diploma Programme Assessment and Exams
Last verified: March 2026. UAE is in IB Exam Zone A. Dates may be subject to change — verify with your school or the IBO directly.