Barely 10% of IBDP students score above 40 points. The International Baccalaureate is infamous for its workload and difficulty and equally valued for its rigor and research-oriented skills that universities love. Furthermore, as the competitiveness of university applications increases, we must understand how to score “a good grade.”
Students feel tremendous stress regarding university applications, subject point requirements, and how our IB points will affect their future. In this article, we’ll explore what counts as a “good grade,” its relation to university rankings, and other aspects so you can feel more secure in your IB grades.
Determing a “good” grade
The passing score is 24 points out of 45. According to your goals, abilities, and university aspirations, any passing grade can be good. Below is a graph showing the distribution of IB points in recent years. The total mean points for N24 is 29 points, 5 points above the passing threshold.
Image from the IBO (2025). Most students score 20 to 30 points, with ±10% earning 40+ points. This demonstrates the rigor of the IBDP assessments. You can find overall scores, subject point distribution, and global statistical information of the previous years on the IBO’s website.
While passing is a significant achievement, universities are more likely to accept scores higher than 24. Depending on region, ranking, and competition, point requirements range from 24 to 44, so research your university, subject, and course requirements for a definite idea of what you should aim for.
A “good grade” is subjective according to the competitiveness of the subject, too. For example, 6 and 7 in Math HL are impressive, while most universities expect a 6 in Language A for competitive humanities programs. Also, along with focusing on your subject scores, the core components have the power to take you from a 37 to a 40, so make sure to do your best to earn those three bonus points in CAS, Extended Essay, and TOK. Below are the average scores per subject group, which can give you a good idea of how you place on the scale.
(IBO, 2025)
Regarding the total point accumulation, 30 can be considered the global average, 35 is solid, above 37 is a competitive grade, and 40 and above is excellent. For a local university with moderate competition, 30 points is sufficient, while competitive universities and programs, like Medicine and Engineering, prefer 40+ points.
- Above average (32+) can land you in many higher education institutes.
- 37+ is safe for T50 universities.
- 42+ would be above average for T10 and generally safe.
Having an IBDP diploma can be in your favour regarding acceptance into certain universities. According to Crimson Education, universities in the US have released statistics showing that IB graduates have higher acceptance rates than non-IB counterparts into T25 universities.
Universities assess IB scores in conjunction with references, essays, extracurriculars, passion projects, standardized test scores, etc. So, while your score is essential, it is not the only aspect affecting your placements.
Conclusion
Most importantly, while a high score can open opportunities for your future, it is imperative to prioritize your mental health. The IBDP is stressful and extensive, so try to balance studying and self-care to put your best foot forward. Setting realistic goals, improving on your weaknesses, and planning your university aspirations is a good starting place to obtain your best score. Wishing everyone the very best, and I hope that this article provides a bit of clarity on how you can navigate IB scores!
