IB Grades Explained for Students: The Complete 1–7 Scale Guide

If you're an IB Diploma student, you might be wondering how the grading system works.

It looks simple - just a number from 1 to 7 - but the way those numbers are calculated, combined, and interpreted by universities can feel confusing. How does your total score add up? Does it matter if the grade is HL or SL? And what does a 5 actually tell a university about you?

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about IB grades, from how individual subject scores work to what your final diploma total means in the real world. Read on to find out more.

Key Takeaways

• IB grades run from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest) for each subject.

• The maximum IB Diploma score is 45 points - 42 from six subjects plus up to 3 bonus points from TOK and the Extended Essay.

• You need a minimum of 24 points to be awarded the IB Diploma.

What Is the IB Grading Scale?

IB grades use a 1 to 7 scale for every subject in the IB Diploma Programme.

Grade 7 is the highest, and Grade 1 is the lowest.

Each grade corresponds to a defined level of achievement. This means a 7 represents mastery of the subject.

Here is what each IB grade means:

How Is Your Total IB Score Calculated?

Your final IB Diploma score is made up of three parts.

1. Subject Grades (Maximum 42 Points)

You study six subjects in total - three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL).

Each subject is marked on the 1–7 scale. Six subjects scoring the maximum score gives you 42 points.  (opens in a new tab)

2. Core Component Bonus Points (Maximum 3 Points)

Your Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essay and Extended Essay (EE) are each graded A–E. The two grades are combined using an official matrix (opens in a new tab) to award between 0 and 3 additional diploma points. Here’s what the matrix looks like:

The contribution to the overall IB score looks like this:

• If you receive an A in both your Extended Essay and TOK, you can earn a maximum of 3 bonus points.

• If you get a B in either or both components, you earn 2 points.

• A grade of C in both your TOK and EE will give you 1 bonus point.

• If both the Extended Essay and TOK are graded D, you will not receive any bonus points.

• If you receive an E (Elementary) in either the Extended Essay or TOK, you fail to meet the requirements for the IB Diploma.

A strong performance in both TOK and EE can push your total from, say, 37 up to 40. A weak performance can cost you points too. Here’s what each grade represents:

The Extended Essay is an in-depth research project that allows you to explore a topic of interest in a subject of your choice. It’s one of the core components of the IB Diploma and is designed to encourage independent research and critical thinking.

TOK is another core component of the IB Diploma Programme, encouraging students to question how they know what they know. TOK involves reflecting on the nature of knowledge and how it applies in different areas of study. The assessment for TOK consists of two components:

• The TOK Essay – A formal written essay based on one of the prescribed titles given by the IB.

• The TOK Exhibition – A presentation that explores a knowledge question from real-life situations.

3. Your Total (Maximum 45 Points)

Add your six subject grades to your bonus points and you have your diploma total out of 45.

What Score Do I Need To Pass The IB?

You need a minimum of 24 points to be awarded the IB Diploma.  (opens in a new tab)

Your final grades in each subject are based on a mix of different assessments. These include:

• Coursework: Some subjects involve coursework, where you complete assignments throughout the year.

• Exams: Most subjects have a final exam that accounts for a large portion of your grade.

• Practical assessments: In subjects like Science, practical assessments might also be part of your grade.

There are additional requirements beyond just hitting 24. You must also:

• Score at least 12 points across your three HL subjects.

• Score at least 9 points across your three SL subjects.

• Achieve no more than three grade 3s or below at any level.

• Not score a grade 1 in any subject.

• Achieve at least a grade 2 in every subject, with no more than two grade 2s overall.

• Complete all CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirements.

• Meet the minimum requirements for TOK and Extended Essay (no grade E in either).

Failing to meet any of these conditions means you may not receive the diploma, even if your total points appear to be high enough.

Higher Level vs Standard Level: Does It Matter?

Both HL and SL subjects use the exact same 1–7 grading scale and the same grade descriptors.

The key difference is in the depth and volume of content. HL courses require around 240 hours of teaching; SL courses require around 150 hours. This means HL grades typically carry more weight with universities.

Most competitive university programmes will specify which subjects they want at HL. A 6 at HL and a 6 at SL are technically the same grade, but they don’t necessarily mean the same thing to an admissions tutor.

How Do IB Grade Boundaries Work?

Grade boundaries are the minimum marks needed to achieve each grade in a given subject and session.

Crucially, they’re not fixed. A raw score of 75% might earn you a 7 in one session but only a 6 in another, depending on how difficult that exam was globally.

After each exam session, the IB runs a careful review process involving (opens in a new tab):

• Statistical analysis of global student performance

• Senior examiner review of exam difficulty

• Comparison with grade descriptors

• Reference to results from previous years

Don't chase percentages. Focus on understanding what the grade descriptors require for a 6 or 7 in your subject, and aim to meet that standard consistently.

How to Interpret Your IB Results

When you first see your scores on IB results day, there are a few things to consider. 

First, if you didn’t quite get the grades you were hoping for, there may be options like resits or remarks. For example, if you feel there was a mistake in your grading or if you didn’t do well in one exam, you might have a chance to retake it. 

It’s important to understand your results and know what to do next. You’ll need to consult your school’s IB Coordinator, who can guide you on the best course of action for trying to get your IB Diploma.

Common Misconceptions About IB Grades

"Grade boundaries are the same every year." They’re not. Boundaries shift every session based on exam difficulty and the overall distribution of student performance.

"HL and SL grades mean the same thing." The grade scale is the same, but universities treat them differently. HL grades carry significantly more weight.  (opens in a new tab)

"A score of 45 is normal for top students." Achieving the maximum of 45 points is exceptionally rare. The IBO stopped publishing the exact number of perfect scores from May 2023, partly to discourage unhelpful comparisons.  (opens in a new tab)

How to Improve Your IB Grades

Whether you are just starting your IB journey or sitting mocks soon, there are clear ways to push your grades up.

1. Know the grade descriptors. Every subject has published descriptors that explain exactly what grades 5, 6, or 7 look like. Read them carefully and use them to assess your own work.

2. Practise with past papers. Exam technique matters enormously in the IB. Working through past papers under timed conditions helps you understand how marks are awarded.

3. Strengthen your Internal Assessments (IAs). IAs often make up 20–30% of your final grade. Getting these right early removes a huge amount of pressure before exam season.

4. Don't neglect TOK and the Extended Essay. The 3 bonus points available from these core components could be the difference between a 37 and a 40.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum grade to pass the IB?

You need a minimum of 24 points overall to be awarded the IB Diploma, along with meeting a number of additional conditions, including a minimum score across HL and SL subjects and no grade of 1 in any subject.

What is a grade 7 equivalent to in A-Levels?

An IB grade 7 is broadly equivalent to an A* at A-Level, according to UCAS (opens in a new tab). Grade 6 equates to an A, grade 5 to a B, and grade 4 to a C.  (opens in a new tab)

What was the average IB score in 2025?

The global average IB Diploma score in the May 2025 session was 30.58 points out of 45 (opens in a new tab). UK students averaged 35 points.  (opens in a new tab)

Boost Your IB Grades with Save My Exams

Want to supercharge your grades? One great way to improve is by using Save My Exams. We provide resources like past papers, revision notes, and topic questions, all tailored to the IB curriculum. 

There’s no need to go wading through loads of irrelevant content. You revise only what you need to know to make sure you're prepared for your exams.

Check out our comprehensive IB revision resources and go smash your exams!

References

• IBO - DP passing criteria (opens in a new tab)

• IBO - Statistical grade boundary setting approaches (opens in a new tab)

• UCAS - Calculate your UCAS Tariff points (opens in a new tab)

• IBO - IB students worldwide receive their results (opens in a new tab)