Unraveling IB Score Thresholds for 2025: Importance, Interpretation, and Application Strategies
The International Baccalaureate (IB) grade boundaries for the May 2025 session have yet to be officially released to the public. These boundaries define the minimum score required to achieve each grade (1-7) in a subject, whether it's Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL).
After the results day, schools receive the official grade boundaries from the IBO. However, these detailed boundaries are typically accessible only to IB coordinators and teachers, not for general public reference.
A search for authoritative and official lists of IB grade boundaries for May 2025 across subjects and levels yielded no results. While some mentions related to general IB grading scales or petitions related to grade boundaries, no formal breakdown per subject/level could be found.
If you are an IB student or educator seeking precise grade boundaries for May 2025, it is recommended to refer directly to your IB Coordinator or school’s IB office, as they receive official boundaries after exam marking. Alternatively, you can check the IB official website or the IB Programme's Online Curriculum Centre (OCC) once results are published, as official grading guidelines and boundaries are sometimes shared there for educators after exam sessions.
Understanding grade boundaries can support appeals or additional consideration if your results fall short of conditions. Remarking (Enquiry Upon Results) may be worth considering if you're close to a grade boundary, but be aware of the risks. Some schools share the IB grade boundaries with students; ask your IB coordinator for more information.
It is important to note that grade boundaries are unique for each subject and level, and they apply to overall subject totals, including exams, Internal Assessments (IAs), orals, Extended Essays (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).
Grade boundaries change each year to reflect how students worldwide performed on that session's papers. Each subject, level, and component has its own grade boundaries. Discuss with your coordinator before applying for a remark.
Grade boundaries ensure fairness by adjusting for the difficulty level of that year's papers. They do not change after results day, and they apply to each paper where applicable (for remarks or Enquiries Upon Results requests). TOK and EE have their own assessment grids, while CAS is pass/fail without grade boundaries.
IB grade boundaries are set after each exam session by IB examiners, based on performance across the world. If you score 85 or above, you will receive a Grade 7; if you score 75 to 84, you will receive a Grade 6; if you score 65 to 74, you will receive a Grade 5.
While unofficial copies of IB grade boundaries for the 2025 session may circulate online, it's best to use your school's confirmed data to ensure accuracy and fairness in your academic journey.
For IB students and educators interested in learning about the grade boundaries for the May 2025 session, it is advisable to consult with the IB Coordinator or school's IB office for authoritative information. Meanwhile, it may be advantageous for students to understand grade boundaries in education-and-self-development processes, as they can support appeals or additional consideration if results are unsatisfactory.
