At a glance
- Exam session
- Late April to 18 May 2027
- Coursework deadlines
- Set by each school, mostly before March
- Ramadan 1448
- Expected about 8 Feb to 8 Mar 2027
- Results
- Early July 2027
- Diploma minimum
- 24 points plus core requirements
DP2 month by month (May 2027 candidates)
Coursework dates are set by your school, not the IB. Put your school's actual deadlines into this frame.
| Month | Main focus | Revision task |
|---|---|---|
| August to September 2026 | Finish EE draft; plan remaining IAs; shortlist universities | Close gaps from DP1 in the weakest subject |
| October 2026 | IA drafts; UK early applications (Oxford, Cambridge, most medicine) in mid-October | One topic test or past-paper section a week per subject |
| November to December 2026 | TOK essay drafting; final IAs; EE final submission and viva voce where scheduled | Start a topic-by-topic revision list for each subject |
| January 2027 | Mocks in many schools; January equal-consideration deadline for UCAS | Mark mocks carefully; list every lost-mark cause |
| February to early March 2027 | Last coursework and CAS completion; Ramadan | Shorter daily sessions; weak topics first |
| Mid-March to mid-April 2027 | No coursework left; spring break (UAE 5 to 12 April) | Full timed papers, alternating subjects |
| Late April to 18 May 2027 | Exam session | Light review of the next paper; sleep |
Check UCAS dates on ucas.com and US or Gulf university deadlines on each university's site. Exam dates by subject are on our May 2027 exam schedule page.
Why coursework comes first
Coursework counts for a large share of most IB grades: 20% in maths and the sciences, 20% to 30% in economics and business management depending on level, and 20% to 25% in history. The Extended Essay and TOK earn up to 3 core points together, and an E grade in either is a failing condition. Coursework that drags into March eats the time that should go on revision, and it is the most common reason DP2 students feel overwhelmed.
Make a single list of every piece of coursework with its school deadline, its draft deadline and its weight. Work backwards: each piece needs a draft about four weeks before the final deadline, so the teacher's feedback can be used. Most schools allow only one round of written feedback on a draft, so make that draft complete.
Using the mocks properly
Mocks matter twice: they shape predicted grades, which some universities see, and they are the best diagnosis of what to revise. After each mock, go through every lost mark and label the cause: content not known, method wrong, misread question, time, or careless slip. Content gaps go on the revision list. Misreads and slips need exam technique practice, not more notes.
A student with six subjects cannot revise everything equally. Rank topics by how often they appear and how weak you are in them, and put most hours into frequent topics where you are weak.
A weekly rhythm from March
- Two or three timed papers or paper sections a week, rotating subjects, marked with the official markscheme the same day.
- Short daily recall practice for content-heavy subjects: flashcards, blank-page summaries, definitions.
- One session a week on the weakest subject only.
- For maths, physics and chemistry: mixed questions rather than one topic at a time, because exams mix them.
- One full rest day a week. Sleep matters more than one extra evening of revision.
How one-to-one lessons fit into DP2
Most DP2 students do not need help in all six subjects. Tutoring works best aimed at one or two subjects where the gap between predicted and target grades is largest, or at a piece of coursework that has stalled. A tutor who teaches that course diagnoses the weak topics from the student's own mock papers, then works through them with past-paper questions on the shared whiteboard, and sets short timed practice between lessons.
From March, lessons usually become exam clinics: the student brings a timed paper, and the lesson is spent on the questions that lost marks. For coursework, the tutor helps with planning, skills and feedback on the student's thinking; the work itself must remain the student's own.
Plan around Ramadan early
With Ramadan expected from about 8 February to 8 March 2027, many families shift study to after iftar or the early morning. Agree the timetable in January, and try to have coursework finished before Ramadan starts.
Common questions
When are the IB May 2027 exams?
From late April to 18 May 2027. Your school's IB coordinator confirms each paper's date and local start time; our May 2027 exam schedule page lists the main subjects.
How many hours a day should a DP2 student revise?
There is no IB rule. During the coursework months most students cannot revise much beyond school work. From March, two to four focused hours on school days and more at weekends is a common pattern, adjusted for Ramadan and rest.
When do IB results come out?
Results for the May session are released in early July. Universities with conditional offers receive them through the IB's results service.
What happens if coursework is late?
Schools set internal deadlines so they can submit work to the IB on time. Missing the IB's final deadline can mean no grade in that subject, which is a failing condition, so treat school deadlines as fixed.
How much do LiveTutor lessons cost for IB students?
$15 a lesson, the same flat rate for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one and online, and the first lesson is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.