A method and an apparatus for scheduling a system information block are disclosed, to increase a probability of obtaining a system information block by a terminal. A network device sends a master information block to the terminal, where the master information block includes DMTC period information; and the terminal receives the master information block, and detects a system information block, at a location of a subframe in a DMTC period. Alternatively, the master information block includes DMTC period information and DMTC time window information, and the terminal detects a system information block, at a location of a subframe in a DMTC period and in a DMTC window size. Alternatively, the master information block includes system information block period information or MF system information block content change indication information, and the terminal determines, based on the system information block period information, whether content of the detected system information block is changed.