IB PYP Exam Dates 2026-2031 | Years K-5 Assessment Guide

Date / Period	Event
Sep 2026 - Jun 2027	Reception (Year K): Transition & Foundation
Sep 2027 - Jun 2028	Year 1: Deepening Inquiry & Portfolio
Sep 2028 - Jun 2029	Year 2: Strengthening Skills & Concepts
Sep 2029 - Jun 2030	Year 3: Expanding Perspectives & Independence
Sep 2030 - May 2031	Year 4/5: Consolidating & MYP Prep
May-June (Annually)	Portfolio Assessment & Review
Sep-May (Ongoing)	Units of Inquiry (UOI) Implementation
Monthly (Ongoing)	Continuous Formative Assessment
End of Each Year (Jun)	Summative Portfolio Assessment
March 2031 (Year 5)	Final Portfolio Compilation

All IB PYP Subjects: Continuous Assessment & Portfolio Documentation (May-June Annually)

Subject	Assessment Method (Portfolio Review: May–June, Annually)
English/Literacy	Observation, classwork, portfolio of writing/reading samples
Mathematics	Problem-solving activities, manipulatives, portfolio of math thinking
Science/Inquiry	Investigations, experiments, observation records
Social Studies/Humanities	Projects, map work, community exploration
Language B (Spanish)	Listening/speaking practice, oral observation
Visual Arts	Ongoing artwork, creative exploration
Music	Performance attempts, instrument exploration
Physical Development	Motor skill observation, movement activities
Personal & Social Development	Daily interaction observation, emotional growth tracking
Technology/Coding	Hands-on tech exploration, simple coding concepts
Environmental Awareness	Outdoor learning, nature observation, projects
Creativity & Design Thinking	Open-ended design challenges, creative problem-solving
Communication & Collaboration	Group work, circle discussions, peer interaction

When Should Tutoring Support Start?

📅 Tutoring Support Timeline: Sep 2026 → Jul 2031

Sep 2026 - Jun 2027

Foundation & Transition Support. Help transition from home/preschool to school. Introduce play-based learning, exploration. Build confidence across 13 subjects. Early tutoring Sep 2026 for literacy, numeracy foundations.

Sep 2027 - Jun 2028

Inquiry-Based Learning & Portfolio Development. Deepen inquiry skills. Support Units of Inquiry. Build portfolio documentation habits. Strong Year 1 = momentum for Years 2-5. Tutoring focuses on inquiry questions, concept exploration.

Sep 2028 - Jun 2029

Concept Development & Independence. Strengthen conceptual understanding across 13 subjects. Develop independence in inquiry. Deepen portfolio entries. Tutoring: concept connections, inquiry deepening.

Sep 2029 - Jun 2030

Expanding Perspectives & Critical Thinking. Broaden perspectives on global themes. Develop critical thinking through Units of Inquiry. Portfolio shows depth. Tutoring supports student-led inquiry, metacognitive awareness.

Sep 2030 - May 2031

Consolidation & MYP Transition Prep. Consolidate 5- year learning. Final portfolio compilation (March 2031). Prepare for MYP structure (September 2031). Tutoring concludes post-portfolio, bridges to MYP.

How to Support Your Child Through IB PYP 2026-2031: Complete 5-Year Roadmap

Step 1: Understand PYP Structure & Foundation Building Sep 2026 - Jun 2027, Reception/Year K)

Action: Understand PYP = continuous assessment (not exams), 13 subjects, play-based learning, inquiry-driven, portfolio documentation. Reception = transition from home. Focus: adjustment, exploration, confidence. Start tutoring Sep 2026 for literacy, numeracy, concept foundations.

Step 2: Support Inquiry-Based Learning & Portfolio Development (Sep 2027 - Jun 2028, Year 1)

Action: Year 1 = beginning of inquiry approach. Support Units of Inquiry (4-5 per year). Portfolio building begins. Learn assessment practices. Strong Year 1 = momentum for Years 2-5. Tutoring focuses on inquiry questions, concept development, portfolio quality.

Step 3: Develop Conceptual Understanding & Independence (Sep 2028 - Jun 2029, Year 2)

Action: Year 2 = deepening inquiry. Concepts (change, function, connection, etc.) increasingly central. Student independence grows. Portfolio shows deepening thinking. Tutoring: concept exploration, inquiry skills, self-reflection.

Step 4: Expand Global Perspectives & Critical Thinking (Sep 2029 - Jun 2030, Year 3)

Action: Year 3 = broadening perspectives. Units of Inquiry connect to global themes. Critical thinking through investigation. Portfolio documents learning journey. Tutoring: perspective-taking, inquiry processes, portfolio documentation.

Step 5: Consolidate Learning & Prepare for IB MYP Transition (Sep 2030 - Mar 2031, Year 4/5)

Action: Final PYP year(s). Consolidate 5-year learning. Portfolio compilation (March 2031). Prepare for MYP structure/rigor (September 2031). Tutoring: transition support, portfolio finalization, MYP preview.

Step 6: Celebrate Learning & Enter IB MYP Confidently (May 2031 onwards)

Action: Portfolio presentation/celebration (May 2031). Final portfolio review shows 5-year learning journey. Transition to IB MYP (September 2031). Use PYP portfolio as MYP starting point. Plan MYP tutoring based on PYP strengths/interests.

Key Takeaways

✓ PYP is 5 years of continuous, inquiry-based assessment (NOT exams) with portfolio documentation

Continuous formative throughout Years K-5. No summative eAssessment like MYP/DP. Portfolio = central assessment tool (May-June review annually). Play-based early, inquiry- focused later.

✓ Units of Inquiry (4-5 per year) drive interdisciplinary learning integrating all 13 subjects

Each UOI = 4-6 weeks around central idea/theme. Integrates subjects through inquiry. Students explore, question, investigate. Portfolio documents UOI learning. Inquiry approach builds critical thinking early.

✓ Portfolio assessment (May-June annually) shows continuous learning & growth across all 13 subjects

Portfolio = learning evidence collection. May-June review annually. Shows progress over 5 years. By Year 5 (May 2031), portfolio = 5-year learning documentation. Ready for MYP transition.

✓ 13 subjects integrate through transdisciplinary approach (NOT separate silos)

English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Language B, Arts, Music, PE, Personal/Social, Tech, Environment, Creativity, Communication. All connect through inquiry themes. Holistic approach builds connections early.

✓ Strong Years K-2 foundation predicts Year 3-5 success & confident MYP transition (Sep 2031)

Years K-2 = critical foundation for inquiry, concepts, independence. Gaps compound. Early tutoring (Sep 2026) prevents struggles. Investment now = MYP confidence (Sep 2031 Year 6 start).

📌 Important: : his page shows the IB PYP assessment schedule for 2026-2031 as a reference. Assessment dates, continuous assessment methods, portfolio deadlines, and Units of Inquiry timing vary by school. Individual IB schools manage continuous assessment internally; portfolio review dates (May-June annually) follow typical calendar but specific schedules vary. Units of Inquiry structure & timing set by schools within IB guidelines (typically 4-5 UOI per year, 4-6 weeks each). Portfolio assessment methods (descriptive, rubric-based, 1-4 scale) vary by school. Always confirm your child's exact assessment calendar, portfolio timeline, UOI schedule, and tutoring needs with their IB school. For authoritative PYP info, check ibo.org or contact your school.

Frequently asked questions

When do Year 7 exams happen?

Year 7 end-of-year exams are May 8-Jun 12, 2027. That's just 8 months away. All subjects are examined. Tutoring should start now (Sep-Oct 2026) to prevent foundation gaps.

When do students choose GCSE subjects?

GCSE subject choices happen in December 2028 (end of Year 8). This gives 2 months after Year 8 end-of-year exams (May-Jun 2028) to decide. Choices are final and lock in for GCSE years.

What happens during Year 8 (2027-2028)?

Year 8 has continuous assessment Oct 2027-May 2028. Mock exams in Jan 2028 show readiness level. End-of-year exams May 7-Jun 11, 2028. Results inform GCSE subject selection.

Do exam dates vary by subject?

Yes. Maths exams (May 20-24, 2027) happen later than English (May 8-10, 2027). Sciences finish by May 31. Check the subject-wise table above for exact dates. Plan revision per subject timing.

How does tutoring help prepare for KS3 exams?

Sep-Oct 2026: Identify weak areas, build confidence. Oct 2026-May 2027: Close foundation gaps, exam technique. Jan 2028 mocks: Use results to adjust Y8 strategy. Help guide GCSE choices by Dec 2028.

What is the importance of Y9 final exams (May-Jun 2029)?

Year 9 final exams (May 6-Jun 10, 2029) set the GCSE baseline. Strong results = higher GCSE starting targets. Gaps here compound over 2 GCSE years. These exams are critical.

IB PYP Assessment Schedule Years K-5 Foundation Guide

IB PYP Key Dates 2026-2031

All IB PYP Subjects: Continuous Assessment & Portfolio Documentation (May-June Annually)

When Should Tutoring Support Start?

How to Support Your Child Through IB PYP 2026-2031: Complete 5-Year Roadmap

Key Takeaways

Starting Early Is The Difference Between Prepared and Rushed

Book a Free Trial for your child!

Frequently asked questions

When do Year 7 exams happen?

When do students choose GCSE subjects?

What happens during Year 8 (2027-2028)?

Do exam dates vary by subject?

How does tutoring help prepare for KS3 exams?

What is the importance of Y9 final exams (May-Jun 2029)?

How often should my child attend tutoring sessions?

Is there a long-term commitment required for tutoring?

Do you offer online tutoring in addition to home tuition?

Can I get a private tutor at home?

How are tutors selected?

Can I choose my child’s tutor?

What is the duration of each tutoring session?

Can tutoring sessions be canceled or rescheduled?

What if my child doesn’t connect with the tutor?

How do I track my child’s progress?

Am I eligible for a full refund?