IB Grades Explained for Students

If you're an IB Diploma student, understanding how your grades are determined is essential to navigating your studies. This article will break down the IB grading system, explain what each grade means, show you how your final grades are calculated, and give you tips on interpreting your results. Plus, we’ll show you how to improve your grades with some helpful resources!

How Does The IB Grading System Work?

In the IB Diploma Programme, your grades are awarded on a scale of 1 to 7. The higher the number, the better the grade. But what does each number actually mean? Let’s break it down:

What Does Each Grade Mean?

These grades reflect your performance in your IB subjects. The aim is to show how well you meet the international standards set for the Diploma Programme.

What is a Pass in IB?

To pass the IB Diploma, you need to earn at least 24 points out of the 45 possible points across your six subjects. That means you have to be strong across most of your subjects and also do well on your Extended Essay (EE) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK). Achieving a passing score is important for earning your IB Diploma, but there are other factors that will affect your overall result, like meeting the core requirements.

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 is one of the core components of the IB Diploma and is designed to encourage independent research and critical thinking.

The Extended Essay and TOK are graded on a scale from A to E. The grades are as follows:

While the Extended Essay is not assigned a numerical score like your subjects, it still plays a crucial role in determining whether you can receive the IB Diploma. The grade for your Extended Essay contributes to the combined total of points from TOK and the EE. This combined score can add up to 3 additional points to your total, which is added to the maximum score of 42 from your six subjects.

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 Presentation – An individual or group presentation that explores a knowledge question from real-life situations.

How Do EE and TOK Affect Your Final Grade?

The maximum score you can achieve in the IB Diploma is 45 points: 42 points come from the six subjects (graded from 1 to 7), and up to 3 additional points are awarded for the combined performance in the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.

A common pathway to achieving the IB Diploma is for students to earn good grades in their subjects (typically 5s and 6s), while performing well in both the EE and TOK to add to their final score.

The grade you achieve in TOK is combined with your grade for the Extended Essay. However, if you receive an E grade in either the TOK essay or the TOK presentation, you will fail to qualify for the IB Diploma, even if your subject scores are high.

The EE and TOK scoring matrix

The contribution to the Overall Diploma Score

• 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.

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

• If either the Extended Essay or TOK is 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.

How are IB Grades Calculated?

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.

Each subject has a specific weightage, which means some assessments might count more than others. Your final grade in each subject will depend on how well you did in these areas. In order to get the Diploma, you need a minimum of a 2 in every subject, even if you get 24 points from the other subjects. 

There are also a few other rules to getting the Diploma:

• You have no more than two grade 2s awarded (SL or HL).

• You have no more than three grade 3s or below awarded (SL or HL).

• You have at least 12 points on HL subjects.

• You have at least 9 points on SL subjects. 

How are IB Grade Boundaries Decided?

Grade boundaries are not fixed. They are set based on the overall performance of students during each exam session. The idea is to make sure grades are awarded fairly, even if exams are slightly harder or easier than usual. These boundaries are carefully decided, ensuring that the grading system is as fair as possible, regardless of where you take your exams or when.

How to Interpret Your IB Results

Once you get your IB results, 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 appeals. 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 will 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.

Improve Your Grades with Save My Exams

Want to boost your grades? One great way to improve is by using Save My Exams (SME). SME provides resources like practice papers, revision notes, and exam tips, all tailored to the IB curriculum. These resources can help you focus your studying and make sure you're prepared for your exams.

Explore Our IB Revision Resources

Want to get even more out of your revision? Check out our comprehensive IB Revision Resources to help you get ready for your exams and improve your grades.

References

Understanding DP assessment

Assessments Principles & Practices

DP Passing Criteria