Overview
For the IB Diploma Programme, the International Baccalaureate grades each subject from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). The full Diploma is scored out of 45. After the May 2026 exams, official grade boundaries publish with results in early July — this guide explains how they work and where to find them.
Quick answer
Results day logistics: [IB results 2026 guide](/blog/ib-results-day-2026-what-to-expect). Waiting for results? [Post-exam prep checklist](/blog/ib-post-exam-results-prep-2026).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When are May 2026 boundaries published? | With results in early July 2026 — same release as your grades |
| Where to find them? | Your IB Coordinator + IBO boundary documents after release |
| Are boundaries fixed percentages? | No — set after marking to keep standards consistent year to year |
| What is a grade 7? | Highest subject grade — equivalent broadly to A* |
| Diploma pass mark? | 24 points minimum plus failing-condition rules |
May 2026 grade boundaries — where to find them
After the May 2026 session, the IBO publishes grade boundary reports per subject (HL and SL separately). Your school receives them when results release — typically early July 2026.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Log in at candidates.ibo.org on results day |
| 2 | Note your subject grades (1–7) on your statement |
| 3 | Ask your coordinator for the official boundary document if you need raw-mark detail |
| 4 | Compare component performance — decide if EUR is worth the fee |
We will link subject-specific boundary notes here as the May 2026 tables circulate. Until then, use November 2025 or May 2025 boundaries only as a rough bracket — not a prediction.
How are individual subjects graded? (1–7)
Each of your six [IB Diploma](/ib) subjects receives a final grade from 1 to 7. This is not a fixed classroom percentage. Senior examiners set grade boundaries after all marking for that session — a 7 means the same standard every year even if the paper difficulty shifts.
What are grade boundaries and how are they set?
For the IB Diploma Programme, grade boundaries are the minimum raw marks for each grade (1–7) across assessed components (exams, IA, etc.). Examiners review scripts at grade borders to set fair thresholds — the process is called awarding. That is why you cannot aim for a magic "85%" to guarantee a 7.
The full Diploma score out of 45
For the IB Diploma Programme, six subjects × 7 = 42 points maximum. TOK and EE grades (A–E) combine in a matrix for 0–3 bonus points. Your Diploma total = subject points + bonus.
What's the passing score for the IB Diploma?
For the IB Diploma Programme, minimum 24 points, plus:
- HL total at least 12; SL total at least 9
- No Grade 1 in any subject
- Grade D or better in TOK and EE (not E in both)
- CAS complete
See IB results day 2026 for failing conditions in full.
Why you can't rely on old percentages
A 75% raw score might be a 7 one year and a 6 the next. Boundaries move with paper difficulty. Better use of time: [IB past papers](/ib/past-papers), [topic practice](/ib/past-papers/biology-hl#ib-topic-practice), and [criterion marking](/mark) against real markbands.
Frequently asked questions
Broadly yes for university recognition — but IB uses markbands and level descriptors, not A-Level point codes.
Is a 7 the same as an A*?
Where can I find the official grade boundaries?
IBO publishes per-session documents after results. Your coordinator has them; they appear online in student communities shortly after release.
How do I know what a grade 6 answer looks like?
Study markbands in official mark schemes alongside past papers. Get your work marked for band-by-band feedback.
Do boundaries differ for digital vs paper exams?
The IB equates modes — boundaries apply to the session as a whole. See digital exams 2026 guide.