The first time you see a set of predicted grades, it can feel like someone printed your future on school letterhead. One number and suddenly every plan seems to tighten around it: universities, scholarships, even how confident you feel walking into your next IB class.
So do IB predicted grades matter for conditional offers? Yes. In many systems, they are the doorway. But they’re not the whole building.
What predicted grades are (and why universities ask for them)
Universities use predicted grades because most students apply before final IB results exist. Predicted grades act like a bridge between “what you’ve done so far” and “what you’re likely to do under final exam conditions.”
They’re usually built from mocks, in-class assessments, internal assessment (IA) progress, and teacher judgment. If you want the full behind-the-scenes breakdown, read How Do Schools Predict IB Scores? Inside the IB Predicted Grade Process.
Quick checklist: how to think about predicted grades and conditional offers
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Check the country system (UK-style conditional offers vs holistic review).
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Compare your predicted total and HL/subject requirements to the course entry criteria.
