IB November 2026 Exam Guide: Study Calendar, Language B Prep, and Intensives

The IB organizes its exam schedule into morning and afternoon sessions. Start times depend on your school's assigned exam zone (A, B, or C). Confirm your exact local times with your IB Coordinator.

Official November 2026 dates have not yet been published by the IB. When the schedule is released, this section will be updated with the full week-by-week breakdown showing Paper 1, Paper 2 reading, and Paper 2 listening dates for every Group 1–6 subject. In the meantime, the typical session shape is below.

This calendar is sized for the 12 weeks leading up to your final exam. Anchor Week 12 on the day your last paper sits, count backwards, and you have your start date.

It is designed for students balancing multiple IB subjects. Adjust the weekly focus based on your personal exam dates and weaker areas.

Language B exams test productive and receptive skills across five prescribed themes: identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organization, and sharing the planet.

Paper 1 (Writing)

Paper 1 requires you to produce a written text in response to a prompt. You choose from three tasks, each linked to a different text type (blog post, speech, article, letter, report, and others).

Strong answers demonstrate a clear sense of audience, purpose, and register.

Preparation tip: Practice writing at least one text type per week under timed conditions. Use the IB text type conventions checklist to self-assess before submitting to a tutor. For more detail on writing technique, see our guide to scoring a 7 in IB French B.

Paper 2 (Reading and Listening Comprehension)

Paper 2 is split into two parts. The reading comprehension section presents authentic texts with questions that test understanding at multiple levels.

The listening comprehension section uses audio recordings of conversations, interviews, or presentations.

Preparation tip: Build daily listening habits with authentic media. For French B, use France Inter podcasts, TV5Monde clips, and RFI Journal en français facile. For English B, use BBC Learning English, TED Talks, and NPR podcasts. Timed practice with past papers is essential for both reading and listening.

Our French tutoring is led by an IB-appointed examiner and curriculum developer with 20 years of international teaching experience across France, Singapore, and Canada.

What you get:

• One-on-one sessions tailored to SL or HL requirements
• Targeted Paper 1 writing workshops covering all text types
• Paper 2 reading and listening drills using authentic French-language materials
• Thematic vocabulary building across all five IB prescribed themes
• Individual Oral (IO) preparation with feedback on structure, register, and cultural references
• Practice with past papers and detailed mark scheme analysis

Your French B exams land in the November 2026 session. Start preparation early to give yourself the strongest foundation heading into the exam.

Our English tutoring supports students at both SL and HL levels. Sessions are designed to strengthen writing precision, reading speed, and listening accuracy.

What you get:

• One-on-one sessions adapted to your current level and target grade
• Paper 1 writing practice across all text types with detailed feedback
• Paper 2 reading comprehension strategies for vocabulary inference and text analysis
• Listening comprehension training with graded audio materials
• Individual Oral (IO) coaching with structured practice sessions
• Exam technique workshops focused on timing and mark scheme alignment

Your English B exams land in the November 2026 session. Securing sessions early is the difference between a 6 and a 7 — we book up months in advance.

Ready to Prepare?

The IB November 2026 exam window is approaching. Students who start structured revision early consistently outperform those who leave preparation to the final weeks.