All You Need to Know about the IB Results Remark Procedure

What Is the IB Remark Procedure?

If you've received your IB Diploma Programme results and feel something might not reflect your actual performance, you have the right to request a formal review. The official IB term for this process is Enquiry Upon Results (EUR), commonly known as the IB remark procedure. This is a structured system that allows you to challenge your grade through your school's IB coordinator rather than directly with the IB.

The EUR process is available to all IB Diploma Programme candidates, whether you're dissatisfied with a single component mark or an entire subject grade. It's an important safety net—particularly during high-stakes situations like university applications or scholarship eligibility—but it's crucial to understand how it works before you request one.

One essential thing to remember: you cannot request a remark directly from the IB. Everything goes through your school's IB coordinator, who acts as your liaison with the examining body. Your coordinator will guide you through the process and submit the formal request on your behalf.

In 2026, as in previous years, the deadline for submitting an EUR request is typically 18 months after your results were released. For candidates receiving results in July, this gives you until January of the following year to make your decision. This might sound like plenty of time, but many students wait to see their university decisions first—so it's worth understanding your options early.

The Three Categories of EUR Services

The IB offers three distinct types of enquiry, each serving a different purpose and costing a different amount. Understanding the differences will help you decide which option makes sense for your situation.

Category 1: Re-check (Verification)

A Category 1 EUR is the most basic and least expensive option. When you request a Category 1 re-check, the IB performs an administrative verification of your marks. This means they confirm that:

• Your individual component marks were recorded correctly in the IB system
• All components were totalled correctly to create your subject total
• Your raw marks were accurately converted to the final grade

Importantly, Category 1 does not involve any re-marking or re-assessment of your work. An examiner won't look at your exam script or coursework again. It's purely a check that administrative processes were followed correctly. Many candidate errors (miscalculated totals, data entry mistakes) are caught at this stage.

If the verification reveals an error, your grade may be corrected upward. If no error is found, your grade remains unchanged.

Category 2: Re-mark (Full Re-assessment)

Category 2 is what most people mean when they talk about getting a paper "remarked." When you request a Category 2 EUR, a different examiner will fully re-assess your work from scratch. This applies either to a specific component (like your Paper 1 exam or your Internal Assessment) or to your entire subject.

This is the most commonly requested type of EUR because it offers the possibility of a significant improvement. However, it's also the riskiest: the new examiner may award you more marks, fewer marks, or the same mark as the original examiner. The new mark will always replace the original mark, regardless of the direction.

Many students feel anxious about this risk, but it's important to remember that IB examiners are trained to mark to the same standard. A significant difference is relatively rare unless the original marking truly was outside the acceptable range.

Category 3: Return of Assessment Materials

Category 3 allows you to receive photocopies of your actual exam scripts and marked Internal Assessments. This is invaluable for understanding exactly where marks were deducted and what the examiner's comments were on your work.

Many students request Category 3 not as a remark at all, but simply to see their scripts. You can use this information to decide whether a Category 2 re-mark is worth pursuing, or to understand what to improve for a retake or resit. Category 3 can be combined with Category 1 or 2.

How Much Does an IB Remark Cost?

The cost of an EUR depends on which category you request and your school's fee structure. In 2026, the typical costs from the IB are:

• Category 1 (Re-check): approximately €50–80 per subject
• Category 2 (Re-mark): approximately €100–120 per subject
• Category 3 (Return of Scripts): included or minimal cost

These are IB fees, but your school may add their own administrative charges on top. Ask your IB coordinator what the total cost will be.

Here's the important part: if your grade improves as a result of the remark, the IB refunds your fee. So if you pay €120 for a Category 2 re-mark and your grade goes from 5 to 6, you get your money back. This refund applies to both Category 1 and Category 2 requests.

If your grade remains the same or decreases, the fee is not refunded. This is why it's worth having an honest conversation with your teachers and coordinator before committing to the cost.

IB Remark Timeline: What to Expect

Timing is critical when requesting an EUR, especially if you're waiting to hear from universities or if the result affects a conditional offer.

After the IB releases results (usually mid-July), you typically have a window of several weeks to request an EUR through your coordinator. Your coordinator will have specific internal deadlines—some schools accept requests for only two weeks after results day—so don't delay if you think you want to pursue this option.

Once your coordinator submits the EUR request to the IB, processing times vary:

• Category 1 (Re-check): typically 2–3 weeks
• Category 2 (Re-mark): typically up to 18 days, though this can extend depending on the subject and examiner availability
• Category 3 (Scripts): typically 2–4 weeks

Results are communicated back to your school's IB coordinator, who will inform you of the outcome. In some cases, the IB may need additional time if there are complications, so build extra buffer time into your planning if you're facing urgent deadlines.

When Should You Request an IB Remark?

Deciding whether to request a remark is a strategic decision that depends on several factors. Let's look at when it makes sense and when it probably doesn't.

Good Reasons to Request a Remark

• You're just below a grade boundary: If you scored 1–2 marks below the boundary for the next grade, a remark is genuinely worth considering. Small marking discrepancies happen, and the fee is refunded if you improve.
• Your exam result doesn't match your coursework or predicted grade: If your Internal Assessment and predicted grades were strong but your exam mark was surprisingly low, it may be worth investigating.
• The result significantly impacts your future: A university offer is conditional on a specific grade, or you're on the borderline for scholarship eligibility. In high-stakes situations, the potential benefit may outweigh the cost and time investment.
• You suspect an administrative error: You know your component marks don't add up correctly, or you believe a specific paper was marked unusually harshly. A Category 1 re-check is your first step.

When a Remark May Not Be Worth It

• Your score is well within the grade band: If you scored a 6 and the grade 7 boundary is 10 marks away, a remark is unlikely to help, and paying the fee when it won't be refunded is simply an expense.
• Your component is coursework that's already been moderated: Internal Assessments are sampled and moderated by the IB during the assessment process. If your IA was already moderated and your mark confirmed, a remark is unlikely to change it.
• You need the result urgently: If you have an imminent deadline (university enrollment, visa application, etc.) and can't afford to wait 2–3 weeks for a remark outcome, it might not be practical, even if it makes logical sense.

Step-by-Step: How to Request an IB Remark

The process is straightforward once you know the steps. Here's what you need to do.

Step 1: Review Your Mark Breakdown
Ask your IB coordinator for your detailed mark breakdown. This should show your marks for each component (Paper 1, Paper 2, Internal Assessment, etc.) and how they add up to your total. If you're taking HL and SL subjects with different weightings, confirm you understand the calculation.

Step 2: Check Against Grade Boundaries
The IB publishes grade boundaries for every subject and session. Find the boundaries for your subject and session, and identify how far you are from the next grade. If you're close, continue. If you're far from the boundary, a remark is unlikely to help.

Step 3: Discuss With Your Coordinator and Teachers
This conversation is essential. Your IB coordinator has experience with EUR outcomes and can give you honest feedback about your case. Your subject teacher can review your exam script expectations and tell you whether the mark seems reasonable. Don't keep this entirely private—their perspective matters.

Step 4: Submit Your EUR Request Through Your Coordinator
You cannot submit the request yourself. Your coordinator will complete the formal EUR form, specify which category (1, 2, or 3) you want, and submit it within the deadline. Make sure your coordinator knows exactly which subject and which components you want remarked.

Step 5: Wait for the Outcome
The IB will process your request according to the timeline above. Your coordinator will receive the results and inform you. During this time, it's hard not to worry, but remember: the examiner's task is to mark fairly, and if your original mark was correct, it should be confirmed.

Step 6: Decide Your Next Steps
Once you have your remark outcome, you can decide what happens next. If your grade improved, that's excellent—your fee is refunded, and your IB records are updated. If it didn't improve, you now have a choice: pursue a resit (if you're eligible), accept the grade, or use the feedback from Category 3 scripts to inform your next steps.

Can Your Grade Go Down After a Remark?

Yes, this is possible with Category 2 re-marks, and it's the question that keeps most students awake at night.

When an IB examiner remarks your work, they assess it independently. If the new examiner awards fewer marks than the original examiner, your mark and grade will decrease. The new mark replaces the original one completely—there is no "best of" scenario.

How often does this happen? It's relatively rare. IB examiners are trained to the same standard, and marking schemes are detailed and specific. A dramatic downgrade usually indicates that the original mark was genuinely outside the acceptable range. However, small decreases of 1–3 marks can occur.

This risk is why it's so important to discuss your remark request with your teacher and coordinator before you commit. If your teacher thinks your mark was fair or even generous, a remark might not be wise. If your teacher thinks the mark was too harsh, the risk is lower.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the IB Remark Procedure

How do I request an IB remark?

You cannot request a remark directly from the IB. You must speak with your school's IB coordinator, who will submit the formal EUR request on your behalf. Ask to discuss which category of remark (1, 2, or 3) makes sense for your situation. Your coordinator will handle all the paperwork and submission, and the IB will communicate the outcome back through them.

How much does an IB remark cost?

Category 1 (re-check) typically costs €50–80 per subject, and Category 2 (re-mark) typically costs €100–120 per subject. Your school may add administrative fees. If your grade improves as a result of the remark, the IB refunds the fee. Ask your coordinator for the exact total cost including any school fees.

Can my IB grade go down after a remark?

Yes, with Category 2 re-marks this is possible. The new examiner's mark replaces your original mark, whether it's higher or lower. This is why discussing the remark request with your teacher and coordinator beforehand is so important—they can help you assess the risk based on how they think your work was originally marked.

How long does an IB remark take?

Category 1 (re-check) typically takes 2–3 weeks. Category 2 (re-mark) typically takes up to 18 days, though this can vary. Once your coordinator receives the outcome from the IB, they will inform you. If you have urgent deadlines, mention this to your coordinator, though it won't speed up the formal process.

What is the difference between Category 1 and Category 2 EUR?

Category 1 is an administrative verification that your marks were recorded and calculated correctly—no re-marking occurs. Category 2 is a full re-assessment of your work by a different examiner, and the new mark replaces your original. Category 1 is cheaper and lower-risk; Category 2 has higher cost and higher potential benefit, but also carries the risk of a lower grade.

Is it worth requesting an IB remark?

It depends on your situation. A remark makes sense if you're close to a grade boundary, your result seems inconsistent with your coursework or predicted grade, or the outcome significantly impacts your future (university offer, scholarship). If you're well within a grade band or the fee won't be refunded if unsuccessful, it may not be worth the cost and emotional investment. Talk it through with your coordinator and teachers.

Can I remark my IB coursework or Internal Assessment?

Your Internal Assessment can be remarked through a Category 2 request, but outcomes are less likely to change. IAs are sampled and moderated by the IB during the assessment period, so if your IA was included in the moderation sample, the mark has already been verified. A remark on coursework is less likely to yield a different result than a remark on exam papers.