IB Results: What To Do If You Don’t Get The Points
IB Results Day can be full of shock, surprises or disappointment and, whatever the results, all students deserve to be congratulated. You have not only made it through two very tough years of study but you have been forced to adapt your plans, switch to distance learning, and be flexible.
For many students, a university offer is conditional upon their IB results. But what happens if you don’t get the IB points required? Whatever the outcome on Results Day, there are always options – so don't panic. You can request a remark, apply to retake any subject, or find a UK university place through the Clearing system.
WhichSchoolAdvisor.com looks at what to do if you don’t get the points today that you needed for university.
Can I retake the IBDP?
The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) has said that, currently, the November 2020 exam session will proceed as scheduled.
Paula Wilcock, chief assessment officer for the IBO, told WhichSchoolAdvisor.com:
“Since taking the decision to cancel the May 2020 examination sessions, we have made sure that students, teachers and schools are aware that, if candidates wish to, they can retake a subject in any future examination session and at any IB World School offering the DP or CP.
“Restrictions will apply to this based on the regulations of the individual schools, as well as local government restrictions on movement and social distancing at the time of future examination sessions - IB students can discuss their options with their programme coordinator.”
Can I get my IBDP remarked?
If you are not offered the university place you want, you can consider getting your exams remarked. However, remember that your results can go down as well as up.
Wilcock explained:
“Schools can request re-marks of students’ work in the May 2020 session through the Enquiry Upon Results (EUR) services. There are some changes to the EUR services in this exceptional session due to the fact that marks have been calculated in the absence of examinations in some subjects, and these are being communicated to schools.
“Where coursework has been marked entirely by IB examiners this session, schools should request a “re-mark” (Category 1) rather than a “re-moderation” (category 3) EUR. This reflects the fact that the coursework has been marked rather than moderated. Schools should make use of the re-mark service if they believe there is an error in the marking of a student’s work.”
What happens if I my score is a near miss?
If you are a 'near miss' – a few points off the required score needed for your university place – then you will probably have to wait until A Level results day on August 13 to find out if the University will reject your offer. Yes, you will now face a tense wait until a final decision can be made but, if you need to go through Clearing, you have the extra time to plan ahead of A Level students.
How do I get a UK University place through Clearing?
If you do not get the grades you need for your original university course, and you still want to go to university in the UK, then you need to go through Clearing. UCAS Clearing is for anyone who didn't meet the conditions of their university offer, did better than they expected and wants to see if they can find a 'better' course, didn't receive any offers - or anyone that accepted no offers.
You can apply for a place through Cleaning until October 20, providing you are not already holding an offer from a university or college, and the course you're applying to still has space. If you decide that the firm offer choice is perhaps not the right one after all, you will need to ask the university to withdraw the offer in order to enable you to go through Clearing.
