ManageBac+ is committed to keeping the system up to date whenever curriculum changes occur. This includes regularly scheduled updates each year, such as revisions to IB Diploma Theory of Knowledge Prescribed Titles, as well as new subject guide changes released by the IB as needed.

This guide outlines both types of updates and explains how and when each is scheduled throughout the year.

Regularly Scheduled Updates

ManageBac+ provides the following regularly scheduled updates each year:

IB Assessment Procedures – September/October

IB Assessment Procedures are released in mid-September each year and contain all key IB deadlines and any new IB forms. All forms are reviewed for changes once released, and ManageBac+ is updated accordingly. This process usually takes between one and four weeks, with updates typically completed by late September to mid-October. The Assessment Procedures (formerly the Handbook of Procedures) can be found on the Programme Resources Centre (formerly the OCC).

TOK Prescribed Titles – March and October

These contain the paper topics used for the IB Diploma's Theory of Knowledge. They are released seven to eight months prior to the exam session. Updates are made in March for November session schools, and in October for May session schools.

You can learn more about TOK in our Configuring & Enabling Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Worksheets guide.

IB Diploma Exam Calendar – April and October

The exam calendar contains the exam dates, the duration of each exam, and whether they fall in the morning or afternoon. The IB does not set exact times, leaving this to the discretion of the school. This calendar is usually released seven to eight months prior to the exam session.

Once released, the information is updated in ManageBac+ and cross-checked by a second party to ensure accuracy before publication. Schools can then use it to create their exam calendars. To learn more, see Creating & Reviewing Exam Calendars.

The estimated time frame for this information to be published in ManageBac+ is within one to two weeks of release.

IBIS Subject Codes – April and December

IBIS subject codes are bulk updated for the next exam session (for example, May 2021) after the updated codes are received from the IBIS team.

IBIS Candidate Session Numbers – Bulk Updated February and September

For schools registering students for IB Diploma exams on ManageBac+, IBIS candidate session numbers are updated in February for May session schools, and in September for November session schools.

IBIS personal codes are added immediately upon registration if a student has never previously been registered on IBIS. If a student has already been registered, personal codes may be updated manually as needed. Please see our IBIS Exam Registration Quickstart Guide for details.

Middle Years: Coordinator's Handbook – September

The IB MYP Coordinator's Handbook is reviewed each September for changes, including grade boundary and assessment updates. These are updated in ManageBac+ as needed.

Changes Published in the IB Coordinators Notes – Upon Release

The IB releases Coordinators Notes bulletins regularly for each programme, with DP bulletins released three times a year, and MYP and PYP bulletins released twice annually. These are reviewed as they are released, and any immediate changes to existing subjects are updated as needed.

Subject Guide Changes – July/August

New subject guide changes for the IB DP and IB MYP are introduced to ManageBac+ over the Northern Hemisphere summer, typically in July and August.

While subject guides may be released earlier in the calendar year to help schools prepare for upcoming changes, ManageBac+ only publishes these changes once the subject guide takes effect, usually in August or September. This ensures that schools carrying out assessment and reporting between May and July still have access to the previous subject guides and assessment criteria.

Schools on a November exam session schedule will typically be able to complete their academic year before the changes are published.

A Look Behind the Scenes

For further insight into how curriculum updates are managed, visit our blog post Supporting the International Baccalaureate Continuum, featuring our Curriculum Director and members of our curriculum consultancy team.

Recently Scheduled Updates

IB Diploma

IB Middle Years Programme

IB Primary Years Programme

The IB has scheduled (subject to change) the publication of new subject guidance for the end of 2022. If this publication date remains accurate, ManageBac+ will update the system accordingly in July/August 2023.

Warnings & Important Notes

The information provided in this guide illustrates our regular development schedule and is subject to change if extenuating circumstances require an earlier or later release of information on ManageBac+. If any updates deviate from the schedule outlined above, schools will be notified.

We make every effort to ensure that forms and assessment criteria on ManageBac+ remain up to date and consistent with the IB curriculum. If you have any questions about our curriculum update schedule or process, please email support@managebac.com and our team will be in touch to help.

In Summary

• ManageBac+ follows a predictable annual schedule for updating IB forms, assessment criteria, and exam-related information.
• New subject guide changes are introduced each July/August, timed to protect schools mid-assessment cycle.
• Schedules may shift due to extenuating circumstances, but affected schools will always be notified in advance.

These processes help ensure that ManageBac+ stays accurately aligned with the IB curriculum throughout the year.