IB Diploma Retakes 2024: How Many Students Sit the Exams Again?
New figures from the May 2024 IB Statistical Bulletin show a sharp rise to 2,273 diploma retake candidates—nearly double the 2023 count. We unpack the trend and explain what drives students back for a second try.
How Many Students Retake the IB Diploma? (2020‑24)
If you’re googling “IB retake statistics 2024” or “how many students redo the IB?”, the International Baccalaureate’s Final Statistical Bulletin – May 2024 has the answer. Below are the headline numbers for DP diploma retake entries over the last five sessions.
| Year | DP Candidates | Retake Entries | Share of DP Cohort |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 108,423 | 1,655 | 1.5 % |
| 2021 | 107,774 | 1,298 | 1.2 % |
| 2022 | 107,804 | 1,055 | 1.0 % |
| 2023 | 110,661 | 1,102 | 1.0 % |
| 2024 | 121,945 | 2,273 | 1.9 % |
(Data extracted from the IB Diploma & Career‑related Programme Final Statistical Bulletin, May 2024.)
Key Take‑aways
1. Retakes Nearly Doubled in 2024
The number of diploma retake entries jumped to 2,273, up 106 % on 2023 and the highest in at least five years.
2. Retakes Remain a Tiny Slice of the Pie
Even with the 2024 surge, retake candidates form just under 2 % of all second‑year DP students.
3. Post‑Pandemic Catch‑up
Retake counts slid each year from 2020 to 2022 as generous grade boundaries and non‑exam assessments eased diploma completion. The 2024 rebound suggests many students whose learning was disrupted during the pandemic are now opting to re‑sit subjects to boost university prospects.
Why Do Students Retake the IB?
- University Entry Requirements
Missed a conditional offer by a point or two? A November or May retake can salvage that place. - Career‑Related Licences
Some professional degrees (medicine, engineering) have strict minimums—retakes offer a second chance. - Core Component Shortfalls
Failing TOK, EE or CAS can nullify an otherwise‑solid score; retaking the weakest subject restores the diploma. - Subject Inflation
With global grade distributions tightening post‑COVID, students aim to upgrade 5s to 6s (or 6s to 7s) for scholarship thresholds.
Will Retake Numbers Stay High?
- Curricular Reform (DP2025): The new syllabus cycles may briefly raise retakes as schools adjust to fresh assessment styles.
- Economic Pressures: Rising tuition costs heighten the incentive to maximise IB points for scholarships, nudging retake demand upward.
- Digital Exams: As more subjects shift to on‑screen testing, scheduling flexibility might encourage even more students to try again.
Quick Answers for Google
- “How many students retake the IB in 2024?” 2,273 diploma candidates—about 1.9 % of the cohort.
- “Has the IB retake rate increased?” Yes. After a three‑year decline, 2024 saw a doubling of retakes compared with 2023.
- “Is retaking the IB common?” No. Fewer than 1 in 50 students typically registers for a retake.
Source & Further Reading
For full tables on registrations, grade distributions and subject‑level statistics, download the PDF:
IB Diploma & Career‑related Programme Final Statistical Bulletin – May 2024.
All numbers in this article are drawn directly from the IB’s official May 2024 assessment report.
