RevisionDojo✅ Quick Answer: No—Scoring a 2 in a Higher Level (HL) Subject Can Disqualify You from Earning the Full IB Diploma
The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) has strict conditions for awarding the IB Diploma, and a 2 in an HL subject usually results in disqualification—unless specific criteria are still met in rare cases.
📘 IB Diploma Award Requirements (As of 2024)
To receive the full IB Diploma, students must meet the following key criteria:
🧾 Core Requirements
- Submit a passing Extended Essay (EE)
- Complete Theory of Knowledge (TOK) with at least a D grade
- Fulfill CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) expectations
📊 Point Total
- Score at least 24 total points across all 6 subjects
⚠️ Subject-Specific Minimums
- No "N" (no grade awarded) in any subject
- At least a 3 in all HL subjects
- No more than one score of 2 at SL
- No more than three scores of 3 or below in total
So yes—scoring a 2 in an HL subject means you fail the diploma, even if your total points are 24 or higher.
💡 What Happens If You Score a 2 in HL?
❌ You Will Not Earn the IB Diploma If:
- You score a 2 in any HL subject, even with 24+ total points
- You fail to meet core requirements (EE, TOK, CAS)
✅ You May Still Earn:
- IB Certificates for the individual subjects you passed
- The option to resit the HL exam in the next session (May or November)
🧠 What to Do If You’re at Risk of Scoring a 2
- Talk to your IB coordinator and subject teacher immediately
- Use targeted revision tools like RevisionDojo to improve your HL understanding
- Consider resitting the HL exam if you’ve already received your results
🚀 Avoid Low HL Scores with Help from RevisionDojo
Struggling in an HL subject? RevisionDojo can help you raise your score with:
- ✅ Subject-specific HL exam walkthroughs
- ✅ Internal Assessment guides
- ✅ Extended Essay and TOK templates
- ✅ Retake planning and grade improvement strategies
👉 Visit RevisionDojo and take control of your HL scores before it’s too late.
❓ FAQs: IB HL Scoring and Diploma Eligibility
Can I retake an HL exam after scoring a 2?
Yes—you can retake HL exams in the next exam session (November or May) to improve your score and qualify for the diploma.
Can I get a 2 in SL and still pass?
Only one SL subject can receive a 2—and only if your total points and other subject scores meet the diploma rules.
Can a high EE or TOK score save me from a 2 in HL?
No—regardless of core points, a 2 in any HL subject disqualifies you from the diploma.
📘 Final Verdict
No, you cannot receive the IB Diploma with a 2 in an HL subject. The IB places a strong emphasis on HL performance to ensure students demonstrate sufficient academic depth. However, with the right support and a retake, you can recover and still meet your goals.
