IB Grading Scale 1 To 7 Conversion Guide: 2026 Guide, Examples and FAQs
Updated 26 June 2026
Quick answer: IB Diploma Programme subjects are graded from 1 to 7, with 7 as the highest subject grade. A full IB Diploma score is calculated from six subject grades, giving up to 42 subject points, plus up to 3 core points from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. The maximum score is 45. The IB's published diploma criteria use 24 points as the main minimum threshold, but students must also satisfy additional conditions and complete CAS.
Conversions to GPA, UCAS tariff, ATAR, Abitur or other national systems are not one universal formula. Use the official university or admissions-body rule when applying.
Quick IB Score and GPA Checker
Enter six IB subject grades and your TOK/EE core points. This gives a fast total score and an approximate unweighted GPA using a common conversion guide. It is not an official university conversion.
Contents
What Is the IB Grading Scale?
The IB grading scale is a subject-grade system used in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Each subject is awarded a final grade from 1 to 7. The grade is based on subject assessment criteria, internal assessment, external exams, moderation and final grade boundaries for that subject and session.
The scale is not a simple fixed percentage table. A 7 in one subject and session may require a different raw mark from a 7 in another subject or session because grade boundaries are set after assessment and standard-setting work.
Best practical reading: use 7 as excellent performance, 6 as very strong, 5 as strong, 4 as generally satisfactory, and 1-3 as progressively weaker performance. For official decisions, use the subject-specific IB criteria and the university's published requirement.
IB Diploma Score Formula
A full IB Diploma score combines six subject grades with the core points awarded for Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.
| Score component | How it is counted | Maximum points |
|---|---|---|
| Six IB subjects | Each subject receives a grade from 1 to 7 | 42 |
| Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay | Combined core matrix awards 0 to 3 additional points | 3 |
| Creativity, Activity, Service | CAS must be completed but does not add score points | 0 |
| Total possible score | 42 subject points + 3 core points | 45 |
IB Diploma Passing Rule
The main minimum threshold for the IB Diploma is 24 points, but this is not the only requirement. The IB also applies conditions around subject grades, HL/SL totals, academic misconduct, CAS completion, and TOK/EE performance. Treat 24 points as a starting threshold, not an automatic guarantee.
Important: For official pass/fail status, always check the IB's current diploma passing criteria and your coordinator's guidance. University admission requirements can be much higher than the minimum diploma threshold.
IB Grade Conversion Chart: 1 To 7
This chart gives a student-friendly interpretation of the 1-7 scale. It is useful for planning, but it should not replace official subject grade descriptors or university-specific conversion rules.
| IB grade | Common meaning | Student-friendly interpretation | Typical planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Excellent | Highest level of subject performance with strong command of knowledge, skills and application. | Often expected for the most selective subject requirements. |
| 6 | Very good | Strong performance with clear understanding and consistent application. | Common target for competitive university courses. |
| 5 | Good | Solid achievement with generally secure understanding. | Often acceptable for many programmes, depending on subject and university. |
| 4 | Satisfactory | Basic to satisfactory achievement against subject standards. | May satisfy some minimum requirements but can be weak for selective courses. |
| 3 | Limited | Some achievement, but important gaps remain. | Usually a concern for diploma conditions and university entry. |
| 2 | Weak | Low achievement with major gaps. | Can create diploma-award risk under IB conditions. |
| 1 | Very weak | Very limited achievement against assessment objectives. | Serious diploma-award risk. |
IB Grade Boundaries Explained
IB grade boundaries are the minimum marks needed for each final grade in a specific subject, level and exam session. They are not fixed before students sit exams. Boundaries can change because exams, student performance and assessment evidence vary by session.
How to read a grade boundary
If a subject's final grade boundary for a 7 starts at 78 marks, a total mark at or above that threshold would map to grade 7 for that session. Another subject or later session may use a different threshold. This is why students should not rely on one old percentage target.
Assessment Components
Most IB subjects combine internal assessment and external assessment. The exact weighting depends on the subject and syllabus.
| Assessment type | Typical role | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Internal assessment | Marked by teachers and moderated through the IB process. | Investigations, oral work, projects, lab reports, explorations. |
| External assessment | Marked externally by IB examiners. | Written papers, essays, data-response questions, problem solving. |
IB Conversion Guide: GPA, UCAS and ATAR
Conversions are useful for planning, but they are not universal. Universities, scholarship bodies and national admissions centres may use their own method. Use the tables below as a quick guide, then verify the official rule for your destination country or university.
IB To GPA Conversion
The following GPA table is a common planning approximation for a 4.0 scale. US schools may recalculate GPA differently, may weight HL courses differently, or may ignore unofficial conversions and review your IB transcript directly.
| IB subject grade | Approximate unweighted GPA | Approximate letter grade | Use with caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 4.0 | A / A+ | Highest subject band |
| 6 | 3.7 | A- | Very strong |
| 5 | 3.0 | B | Good |
| 4 | 2.3 | C+ | Satisfactory |
| 3 | 1.7 | C- | Weak for many applications |
| 2 | 1.0 | D | High risk |
| 1 | 0.0 | F | High risk |
For an instant calculation, use the IB to GPA Calculator or the IB Final Grade Calculator.
IB To UCAS Tariff Points
UCAS tariff points distinguish between Higher Level and Standard Level subjects. Many UK universities publish IB Diploma offers directly, such as "38 points with 6,6,6 at HL", rather than relying only on tariff points.
| IB grade | Common A-level shorthand | UCAS tariff note |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | A* shorthand | Check whether the subject is HL or SL in the UCAS calculator. |
| 6 | A shorthand | HL and SL do not carry the same tariff value. |
| 5 | B shorthand | Use the official tariff calculator for final application checks. |
| 4 | C shorthand | May not satisfy selective course requirements. |
For UK applications, also check the UCAS Points Converter.
IB To ATAR Conversion
Australian admissions centres convert IB scores to ATAR-equivalent ranks using official conversion tables for the relevant admissions year. The values below are planning examples, not a substitute for the current table used by the state admissions centre or university.
| IB Diploma score | Approximate ATAR planning band | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | 99.95 | Maximum IB score; highest ATAR band in common conversion tables. |
| 40-44 | High 90s | Highly competitive range for selective courses. |
| 35-39 | Low-to-mid 90s planning range | Competitive for many strong programmes. |
| 30-34 | Approx. 80s to low 90s planning range | Often useful for broad course planning. |
| 24-29 | Approx. mid 60s to 70s planning range | Can meet some entry pathways but may not be competitive. |
For quick estimates, use the IB to ATAR Calculator or ATAR to IB Score Calculator.
Worked IB Score Examples
Example 1: Total IB score
Subject grades: 6, 6, 5, 7, 5, 6
Core points: 2
Total IB score = 35 + 2 = 37 out of 45
Result: 37 is a strong total score, but subject-specific requirements still matter. A course requiring Mathematics HL 6 will not be satisfied by a lower maths subject grade even if the total score is strong.
Example 2: Approximate unweighted GPA
Using the same subject grades, convert each grade using the planning table: 7 = 4.0, 6 = 3.7, 5 = 3.0.
Result: approximate GPA is 3.52. This is only a planning estimate because universities may recalculate GPAs differently.
Example 3: Checking diploma risk
A student has 25 total points but has a grade 1 in one subject and has not completed CAS. Even though the total is above 24, the diploma may still not be awarded because the IB applies additional conditions beyond the headline point total.
Common IB Conversion Mistakes
Mistake 1: Treating conversions as official everywhere. GPA, ATAR, UCAS and Abitur conversions depend on the institution or national admissions body.
Mistake 2: Looking only at total points. Universities often require specific HL subject grades. A high total score cannot always compensate for a missing prerequisite.
Mistake 3: Assuming grade boundaries are fixed percentages. IB boundaries vary by subject, level and session.
Mistake 4: Ignoring TOK, EE and CAS. TOK and the Extended Essay can add up to 3 points, while CAS completion is required for the diploma even though it does not add points.
Official IB and Admissions Sources
Use official sources for final decisions. This guide is designed for quick understanding and planning. For results, diploma-award status, admissions and conversion decisions, verify against the relevant official source.
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