IB Grading Scale 1-7: Complete Conversion Guide with Examples
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme uses a unique 1-7 grading scale that evaluates student performance across six subject groups, providing universities worldwide with a standardized measure of academic achievement. Understanding how this grading system works is essential for IB students, parents, and educators to accurately interpret results, convert scores to other systems like GPA or ATAR, and meet university admission requirements.
Table of Contents
What is the IB Grading Scale?
The IB grading scale is a numerical assessment system ranging from 1 to 7, where 7 represents the highest level of achievement and 1 indicates minimal understanding. Unlike traditional letter-grade systems (A, B, C, D, F), the IB uses this standardized numerical scale across all subjects to provide consistent, criterion-referenced evaluation of student performance worldwide.
Key Point: Each IB subject is graded independently on the 1-7 scale, and students take six subjects in total. The maximum subject score is 42 points (6 subjects × 7 points), plus up to 3 additional points from Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Extended Essay (EE), bringing the maximum IB Diploma score to 45 points.
The IB grading system is criterion-referenced, meaning students are assessed against established standards rather than compared to peers. This approach ensures fairness and consistency across different examination sessions and countries, making IB qualifications recognized by over 5,000 universities globally.
Components of the IB Diploma Score
The total IB Diploma score comprises several components that work together to provide a comprehensive evaluation:
Total IB Score Formula:
\[ \text{Total Score} = \sum_{i=1}^{6} \text{Subject Grade}_i + \text{TOK/EE Bonus Points} \]
Maximum: \(6 \times 7 + 3 = 45\) points
- Six Subject Grades: Three Higher Level (HL) and three Standard Level (SL) subjects, each graded 1-7
- TOK and Extended Essay: Combined contribution of up to 3 bonus points based on performance matrix
- CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service): Pass/fail requirement with no point contribution
- Minimum Passing Score: 24 points out of 45 to receive the IB Diploma
Understanding Each Grade Level
Each grade on the IB scale represents specific performance characteristics based on official IB grade descriptors. These descriptors outline what students must demonstrate in terms of knowledge, understanding, critical thinking, and application of skills.
| IB Grade | Classification | Performance Description | % of Students (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Excellent | Outstanding performance with exceptional understanding, comprehensive knowledge, insightful analysis, and ability to apply concepts to novel situations with originality | ~8-10% |
| 6 | Very Good | Very strong performance with thorough knowledge, competent analytical abilities, and consistent understanding across assessments | ~18-20% |
| 5 | Good | Solid knowledge and understanding of key concepts with proficiency in applying skills, though minor gaps may exist | ~30-32% |
| 4 | Satisfactory | Acceptable level of understanding and knowledge with ability to grasp most concepts, representing the minimum university acceptance level | ~22-25% |
| 3 | Mediocre | Limited knowledge or understanding with struggles in certain aspects requiring improvement | ~12-15% |
| 2 | Poor | Weak understanding with significant gaps in knowledge and difficulty applying concepts | ~5-7% |
| 1 | Very Poor | Very limited understanding with minimal achievement of basic course requirements | ~2-3% |
University Perspective: Most competitive universities require individual subject grades of 5-7, with many top institutions expecting scores of 6 or 7 in subjects relevant to the intended major. A grade of 4 is generally the minimum acceptable level for university credit or admission consideration.
How IB Grading Works
IB grading combines multiple assessment components to produce final subject grades. Understanding this process helps students and educators interpret results accurately and identify areas for improvement.
Assessment Components
Each IB subject grade results from two main assessment types with specific weightings:
| Assessment Type | Weight | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Assessment (IA) | 20-30% | Evaluated by teachers and externally moderated by IB | Laboratory reports, oral presentations, mathematical investigations, historical research |
| External Assessment | 70-80% | End-of-course examinations marked by trained IB examiners | Written papers, multiple-choice questions, essays, problem sets |
Grade Determination Process
The conversion from raw marks to final IB grades follows a systematic process:
- Raw Score Collection: All assessment components (IA and external exams) are marked and raw scores recorded
- Component Weighting: Raw scores are converted to weighted percentages based on each component's importance
- Total Score Calculation: Weighted scores are summed to produce a total mark out of 100
- Grade Boundary Application: The total mark is compared against grade boundaries to assign final 1-7 grade
Subject Grade Calculation:
\[ \text{Total Score} = (\text{IA Score} \times \text{IA Weight}) + (\text{External Score} \times \text{External Weight}) \]
Grade Boundaries Explained
Grade boundaries are the minimum total scores required to achieve each grade (1-7) and are set after each examination session through a rigorous process. Unlike fixed percentage systems, IB grade boundaries vary between sessions to account for differences in exam difficulty and maintain consistent standards.
How Grade Boundaries Are Set
- Statistical Analysis: Examination of global student performance data and score distributions
- Exam Difficulty Assessment: Senior examiners review papers to evaluate complexity compared to previous sessions
- Grade Descriptor Matching: Sample student work is evaluated against published grade descriptors
- Historical Comparison: Current performance compared to previous years to ensure consistency
- Expert Judgment: Experienced chief examiners make final boundary decisions
Example: Grade Boundary Variation
For IB Mathematics AA HL in May 2024:
- Grade 7 boundary: 79/100 (79%)
- Grade 6 boundary: 67/100 (67%)
- Grade 5 boundary: 55/100 (55%)
- Grade 4 boundary: 42/100 (42%)
In November 2024, if the exam was more challenging, boundaries might be:
- Grade 7 boundary: 75/100 (75%)
- Grade 6 boundary: 63/100 (63%)
- Grade 5 boundary: 51/100 (51%)
- Grade 4 boundary: 39/100 (39%)
Important: Grade boundaries are NOT published before exams and vary by subject, level (HL/SL), and session. Students should focus on mastering content rather than targeting specific percentage scores.
Conversion to Other Systems
Converting IB grades to other educational systems is crucial for university applications, especially in countries using different grading schemes. While no universal conversion exists, established frameworks provide reliable approximations.
IB to GPA Conversion
The most widely used conversion method translates IB grades to the 4.0 GPA scale:
| IB Grade | Unweighted GPA (4.0 Scale) | Weighted GPA (5.0 Scale) | Letter Grade Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 4.0 | 5.0 (for HL courses) | A+ |
| 6 | 3.7 | 4.7 | A |
| 5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | B |
| 4 | 2.3 | 3.3 | C+ |
| 3 | 1.7 | 2.7 | C- |
| 2 | 1.0 | 2.0 | D |
| 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | F |
GPA Calculation Formula:
\[ \text{Unweighted GPA} = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^{6} \text{GPA Equivalent}_i}{6} \]
\[ \text{Weighted GPA} = \frac{\sum_{i=1}^{3} \text{HL GPA}_i + \sum_{j=1}^{3} \text{SL GPA}_j}{6} \]
IB to A-Level Conversion (UK)
For UK universities, the UCAS tariff system provides official IB to A-Level equivalencies:
| IB Grade | A-Level Equivalent | UCAS Points (HL) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | A* | 56 |
| 6 | A | 48 |
| 5 | B | 32 |
| 4 | C | 24 |
UCAS Benchmark: An IB Diploma score of 39 points or higher is equivalent to three A-Levels at grades A*AA, which meets entry requirements for top UK universities including Oxford and Cambridge.
IB to ATAR Conversion (Australia)
Australian universities use approximate conversions from IB total scores to ATAR percentiles:
| IB Total Score | Approximate ATAR | University Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | 99.95 | Top 0.05% |
| 42-44 | 99.00-99.90 | Top 1% |
| 38-41 | 96.00-98.95 | Elite universities |
| 34-37 | 90.00-95.95 | Competitive programs |
| 30-33 | 80.00-89.95 | Standard admission |
| 24-29 | 65.00-79.95 | General admission |
Practical Calculation Examples
Understanding how IB scores translate into university requirements requires working through realistic examples. These scenarios demonstrate common situations students encounter when applying to universities.
Example 1: Calculating Total IB Score
Student Profile:
- English A Language & Literature HL: 6
- Spanish B SL: 5
- History HL: 7
- Biology HL: 6
- Mathematics AA SL: 5
- Chemistry SL: 6
- TOK + EE Bonus: 2 points
Calculation:
\[ \text{Subject Total} = 6 + 5 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 6 = 35 \text{ points} \]
\[ \text{IB Total Score} = 35 + 2 = 37 \text{ points} \]
Result: 37/45 points - competitive for most universities, meets requirements for many top institutions
Example 2: Converting IB Scores to Unweighted GPA
Using the same student profile from Example 1:
GPA Conversions:
- Grade 7 = 4.0 GPA
- Grade 6 = 3.7 GPA (three subjects)
- Grade 5 = 3.0 GPA (two subjects)
Calculation:
\[ \text{GPA} = \frac{(4.0 \times 1) + (3.7 \times 3) + (3.0 \times 2)}{6} \]
\[ \text{GPA} = \frac{4.0 + 11.1 + 6.0}{6} = \frac{21.1}{6} = 3.52 \]
Result: 3.52 GPA (unweighted) - strong academic performance for US university applications
Example 3: Weighted GPA with HL Bonus
Same student, calculating weighted GPA with 0.5 point HL bonus:
HL Courses (with bonus):
- English HL (6): 3.7 + 0.5 = 4.2
- History HL (7): 4.0 + 0.5 = 4.5
- Biology HL (6): 3.7 + 0.5 = 4.2
SL Courses (standard):
- Spanish SL (5): 3.0
- Math SL (5): 3.0
- Chemistry SL (6): 3.7
Calculation:
\[ \text{Weighted GPA} = \frac{4.2 + 4.5 + 4.2 + 3.0 + 3.0 + 3.7}{6} = \frac{22.6}{6} = 3.77 \]
Result: 3.77 weighted GPA - demonstrates strong performance in challenging courses
Example 4: University Requirements Check
Scenario: Student wants to apply to University of Toronto Engineering
Requirements:
- Minimum IB total: 32 points
- Mathematics HL: Minimum grade 5
- Physics HL or SL: Minimum grade 5
- Chemistry recommended
Student Scores:
- IB Total: 37 points ✓ (exceeds 32)
- Mathematics AA HL: 6 ✓ (exceeds 5)
- Physics HL: 6 ✓ (exceeds 5)
- Chemistry SL: 5 ✓
Result: Meets all requirements with competitive scores for admission
When and Why to Use IB Grades
IB grades serve multiple purposes throughout a student's academic journey and university application process. Understanding when and how to use these grades effectively can maximize opportunities and avoid common pitfalls.
University Applications
- Direct Admission: Many universities accept IB Diploma scores as primary qualification for admission without requiring additional standardized tests
- Course Credit: Higher Level (HL) subjects with grades 5-7 often earn university course credits, allowing students to skip introductory courses
- Scholarship Eligibility: Total IB scores above 38-40 points frequently qualify students for merit-based scholarships and financial aid
- Program Placement: Subject-specific grades determine eligibility for competitive programs (e.g., Medicine requiring Biology HL 6-7)
Predicted Grades: During the application process (typically before final exams), teachers provide predicted IB grades based on student performance. Universities issue conditional offers based on these predictions, which students must meet in final exams to secure admission.
Academic Planning
- Subject Selection: Performance in pre-IB or MYP courses guides choice between HL and SL levels
- Study Strategies: Ongoing grades identify subjects needing additional focus or tutoring support
- Career Pathways: Subject grades indicate strengths and weaknesses relevant to future career choices
- Realistic Goal-Setting: Understanding grade requirements helps students set achievable targets for university applications
International Mobility
- Cross-Border Applications: Single set of grades accepted by universities in 100+ countries
- Transfer Students: Consistent standards make credit transfer between institutions more straightforward
- Global Benchmarking: Students can compare performance against international peers
- Multilingual Recognition: No need for grade translation or equivalency certificates in most cases
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Focusing Only on Total Score
While total IB score matters, universities also examine individual subject grades, especially those relevant to your intended major. A 36 total score with Mathematics HL grade 4 may not meet Engineering program requirements, even though 36 is competitive overall.
Mistake #2: Assuming Fixed Grade Boundaries
Grade boundaries vary between examination sessions. A raw score of 75% might yield grade 7 in one session but grade 6 in another depending on exam difficulty. Focus on understanding content rather than targeting specific percentages.
Mistake #3: Ignoring HL vs SL Distinctions
Universities often require specific subjects at Higher Level (HL) for certain programs. Standard Level (SL) grades in prerequisite subjects may not fulfill admission requirements, even with high scores.
Mistake #4: Overlooking TOK and EE Contribution
The combined TOK and Extended Essay can add up to 3 points to your total score. Poor performance in these components can drop your score from 40 to 37, significantly impacting competitiveness for top universities.
Mistake #5: Incorrect GPA Conversion
Using non-standard conversion scales can misrepresent your academic achievement. Always use official university-provided conversion tables or reputable sources when converting IB grades to GPA or other systems.
Tips for Success
- Start Strong: Maintain consistent effort throughout the two-year program as final grades combine all assessment components
- Understand Assessment Criteria: Review IB grade descriptors and assessment criteria for each subject to target specific skills
- Balance Subject Load: Choose HL subjects strategically based on strengths and university requirements rather than difficulty alone
- Monitor Progress: Use internal assessment grades and mock exam results to identify areas needing improvement
- Seek Clarification: Consult teachers and university admissions offices about specific grade requirements early in the process
Related Resources
Explore these helpful resources to support your IB journey:
IB Exam Preparation 2026 Study Plan IB Score Calculator IB to GPA Calculator IB to ATAR Calculator May 2026 IB Exam Schedule IB Mathematics AI Study Notes IB Mathematics AA Study Notes