How to Check Your IB Score Online

While results day is exciting, navigating the official online portal requires careful prior preparation. This article provides a step-by-step guide for accessing your results on the official candidate website, detailing exactly what information you need and offering solutions for common errors.

Key Takeaways

• IB scores are released in July (May session) and December (November session) at staggered times; check with your IB Coordinator.

• Accessing scores requires your unique IB Personal Code and IB PIN; obtain and check these details before results day.

• The only official site is candidates.ibo.org (opens in a new tab): follow the login steps precisely to avoid common errors or being locked out.

• Your score report displays subject grades (1-7), the TOK/EE bonus points (up to 3), and your final Diploma status.

• Universities usually receive your official transcript directly from the IB; check with your IB Coordinator to ensure they have submitted the relevant requests on your behalf.

When Are IB Scores Released?

International Baccalaureate scores are released twice a year, tied to the two global exam sessions:

• May session: Results are released on the candidate website (opens in a new tab) from 12.00 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on 6th July.

• November session: Results are issued to schools on 16th December from 21.00 GMT. Thereafter, the results are released to students at staggered time intervals based on their time zone. If you are unsure of the time that your results will be released, you should contact your IB Coordinator. 

• Your IB Coordinator and teachers are highly likely to check your results before your portal access opens. Some schools share results directly; others rely entirely on the online portal. Either way, the official online release date listed above is when you can view your scores.

What You Need to Access Your IB Results

It is essential you have the following information well in advance of the day of the results (and that you check it works):

• Your IB Personal Code: This is a unique, six-character code assigned to you by the IB. It identifies you in the candidate system. Your school will provide your IB Personal Code.

• Your IB PIN: This is your password. Without it, you cannot log into the candidate portal. Schools distribute these with your personal code. Your IB Coordinator is the only person who can retrieve or reset your IB PIN.

If you don’t have (or have lost) your IB Personal Code and/or IB PIN, speak to your IB Coordinator immediately (ideally before you go on study leave). Finally, the candidate website (opens in a new tab) gets heavy traffic on release days. A reliable Internet connection reduces the chance of login errors or timeout messages.

Step-by-Step: How to Check Your IB Scores

When results day arrives, follow this exact process:

• Go to https://candidates.ibo.org (opens in a new tab): This is the only official results portal. (Bookmark this URL well in advance of results day.)

• Select “Login”: You’ll be directed to the secure candidate login page.

• Enter your Personal Code: Type it exactly as given - pay attention to capital letters and characters that could be mistaken (e.g. O vs 0).

• Enter your PIN: This is case-sensitive and must match exactly.

• Click “Submit”: The system may take a few seconds to verify due to high traffic.

• Navigate to “Results”: Once inside, you’ll see a clear results tab listing your subject grades and diploma information.

• Download and/or print your score report: You should save a digital copy of your results.

Common Login Errors and How to Handle Them:

• “Invalid PIN or personal code”: Re-check for typos, especially swapped characters.

• “Candidate not found”: Confirm that you’re using the correct exam session details and that your school has registered your session properly.

• Portal won't load: Heavy traffic is normal on release day. Refresh after waiting a few minutes.

• Locked out after multiple attempts: Contact your IB Coordinator; the system may have temporarily blocked you.

• Never guess (or try to remember) your details repeatedly: Make sure you know your login details in advance. If something seems wrong, stop and ask your IB Coordinator. Getting blocked will cause you more work down the line.

What If You Can’t Log In?

If you can’t access your results, don’t panic. For every issue you could encounter, there is a clear course of action:

• You forgot your PIN: You cannot reset this yourself - your IB Coordinator must request a new PIN through the IB’s secure system. Email or speak to them as soon as possible. Please bear in mind that they are likely to be inundated with emails and other pressing matters on results day - you will need to be patient.

• You lost your Personal Code: Again, only your Coordinator can retrieve this. Follow the same procedure for obtaining your PIN.

• It’s still not working: If you have checked (and double checked) your Personal Code and PIN are correct, ask your IB Coordinator to confirm that your exam registration is correct, your codes match your session, and no administrative holds are blocking access.

• Pop-ups and browser: If the candidate website is glitchy (or down), try using a different web browser. Also, unblock pop-ups.

Understanding Your IB Results

On results day, once you’ve managed to login, you’ll see a full breakdown of your performance. Your score report will show:

• Subject Grades (1–7): 7 = Excellent; 6 = Very good; 5 = Good; 4 = Satisfactory; 3 and below = Limited to Very Limited achievement.

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Extended Essay (EE) Results: The C/C combination refers to the individual letter grades received for the two required components of the IB Diploma Core (TOK and EE). These two grades are combined using a matrix (see below) to determine the number of bonus points (maximum of 3) a student earns toward their total Diploma score.

• Total Diploma Score: Your total score is out of a maximum of 45. Of these, 42 points are your six subjects (plus 3 bonus points from TOK and EE).

• Diploma Award Status: You’ll see whether your diploma is: Awarded, Not awarded or Pending. The latter is uncommon and usually due to an administrative error.

How Universities Receive Your IB Results

Many students assume they have to manually send their results to universities. Often, this isn’t the case. Here is what you need to know:

• The IB provides an official transcript of grades (opens in a new tab): This is an official copy of your results. Transcripts can be sent directly to an institute of higher education, such as a university. These documents are not sent to students or other organisations.

• How to request a transcript: You should contact your IB Coordinator to submit a request to the IB on your behalf. You can select up to six Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) worldwide. An admissions center (e.g. UCAS) counts as one request.

• When results are released: If your chosen institution opted to receive IB transcripts via a secure IB website, they will receive yours as soon as results are released.

After the release of results:

• IB graduates can request for their transcripts to be sent to institutions directly by placing a request through rrs.ibo.org (opens in a new tab). A fee will be charged for each request that is submitted. This process could take up to 14 days (especially during busy periods). If your university hasn't received your scores after a reasonable time, contact admissions with proof of your request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my IB scores before my school does?

No. Schools receive results first. Student portal access opens about a day later. Your IB Coordinator may choose to share them early, but the official portal won't unlock until the published date/time.

What time are IB scores released?

There is no single universal time. Results appear on a rolling release based on time zones. Most students find scores available by late morning local time.

Can I check my scores without my Personal Code?

No. The Personal Code is mandatory. Only your school can provide or reset it. The IB cannot verify your identity directly or give out login information.

Final Thoughts

Checking your IB scores online is straightforward when you’re prepared. Keep your Personal Code and PIN somewhere safe, test your portal access link ahead of time, and rely on your IB Coordinator if anything is untoward. In some respects, results day very much mirrors the IB Diploma experience: If you’re organised, it’s likely to go to plan. Keep it simple: Log in, view your scores and save the report.

References

• International Baccalaureate - Diploma Programme (DP) passing criteria: (opens in a new tab)https://www.ibo.org/about-the-ib/what-it-means-to-be-an-ib-student/recognizing-student-achievement/about-assessment/dp-passing-criteria/ (opens in a new tab)

• International Baccalaureate - Requesting transcripts and certificates: (opens in a new tab)https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/assessment-and-exams/requesting-transcripts/ (opens in a new tab)

• International Baccalaureate - When are results available on the candidate website: (opens in a new tab)https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/assessment-and-exams/getting-results/assessment-faq/ (opens in a new tab)