⚠️ What Counts as “Failing” an IB Science Paper?
In the IB, grades range from 1 to 7, with 4 considered a pass. Scoring a 3 or below in any subject is generally regarded as failing.
However, failing one paper (e.g. Paper 2 in Biology HL) doesn’t automatically mean you fail the subject—your overall subject grade, which includes internal assessment and all papers, determines the outcome.
👉 Learn more: What Happens If You Fail an IB HL Subject?
Can You Still Earn the IB Diploma With One Failed Science Paper? 🤔
Yes—if your overall points still meet the IB Diploma requirements. You need:
- A minimum of 24 total points
- At least 12 points across your three HL subjects
- No more than one grade‑2 and no grade‑1 overall
- No E in TOK or EE, and CAS must be complete
Failing a paper and ending with a 3 in one HL science subject can still allow you to pass the diploma—provided everything else aligns.
👉 See detailed diploma criteria: IB Diploma Passing Criteria
How Does One Science Paper Fail Affect University Offers?
1. Conditional Offers May Be in Jeopardy
Many universities base admission offers on specific HL subject grades. A low science grade could affect your eligibility for competitive programs like medicine or engineering.
2. Options After Going Below Requirements
If you don’t meet IB conditions, you may be able to:
- Enter through UCAS Clearing (UK)
- Delay enrollment and retake your exams to meet conditions
- Receive course certificates even without the full diploma
👉 Read through: How Are University Offers Affected by Failing the IB Diploma?
Retake or Remark: How to Recover From One Failed Paper 📝
Option 1: Enquiry Upon Results (Remark)
If you suspect a marking error, you can request a review via your IB coordinator. Note: the grade could stay the same or drop.
👉 Details: IB Assessment FAQ on Remarks and Retakes
Option 2: Exam Retake
You only need to retake the specific exam paper where you failed—so long as it improves your overall score. IB allows retakes in May or November of following sessions.
👉 Explained here: IB Exam Retakes Guide
You can retake exams at your current school or at another licensed IB World School if available.
🎯 Real-World Scenarios
- Scenario A (Still Passes Diploma):
HL Grades: 5, 4, 3 in Science; SL Grades: 5, 4, 3 → Total = 24 or more, core passed → Diploma awarded. - Scenario B (Fails Diploma):
HL Grades: 6, 3, 2 in Science → more than one 2, HL total below requirement → No diploma.
Community experience supports this understanding:
“Failing any 1 exam WILL NOT fail that course.” (revisiondojo.com)
Your Options and Next Steps
- Double-check if you can remark the paper
- Retake only that exam to boost your overall score
- Keep CAS, TOK, and EE requirements on track to avoid automatic fail conditions
- Communicate with universities early if you risk missing conditional offer thresholds
The good news? IB has removed limits on the number of retake attempts per subject. You can retake exams as many times as needed to meet diploma criteria. (revisiondojo.com)
How RevisionDojo Supports Your Recovery Journey
RevisionDojo offers:
- 🎯 Targeted practice and exam templates for all HL science subjects
- 📈 Personalized retake strategy tools
- 🗂️ Guides covering diploma maintenance and university transition support
👉 Discover tools: RevisionDojo HL Retake Prep Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do I automatically fail the subject if I get a 3 in one science paper?
A: No—your overall subject grade matters more, so a 3 may still pass if internal assessment and other papers are strong.
Q2: What’s the threshold for failing an HL subject?
A: A 2 in any HL subject is disqualifying for the full diploma. Up to one 2 across HL and SL is allowed. (International Baccalaureate®, revisiondojo.com)
Q3: Are there limits to retaking exams?
A: No—students can retake subjects in multiple future sessions. (International Baccalaureate®)
Q4: Should I retake an entire subject or just one paper?
A: Only the failed paper is usually required—saving time and focus.
Q5: Will a remark help if I underperformed?
A: It might. If grading errors occurred, a remark can raise or lower the grade—it depends.
Q6: Can I still go to university without the full diploma?
A: Yes—many institutions accept course certificates, foundation routes, or post-results applications.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Failing one IB science paper doesn’t automatically ruin your diploma—what matters most is your overall subject score, diploma criteria, and recovery strategy. With clear understanding and action—such as retaking or remarking—you still have every chance to succeed.
📚 Want help planning a retake or maximizing your recovery strategy? Explore RevisionDojo: use exam drills, retake-focused resources, and expert guidance to bounce back stronger. Join thousands of students who turned setbacks into success.
👉 Visit RevisionDojo to Recover and Excel
