Your IB Diploma points are calculated by adding the final grades from six subjects, worth up to 42 points, to the combined points from Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE), worth up to 3 points. The maximum possible result is therefore 45 points.
However, earning the diploma involves more than reaching a numerical total. Students must also complete Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) and meet minimum performance conditions across their Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) subjects.
The IB Diploma 45-point scale
Every Diploma Programme student completes six academic subjects. Each subject receives a final grade from 1 to 7, where 7 is the highest grade.
| Diploma component | Maximum contribution |
|---|---|
| Six subjects, each graded 1-7 | 42 points |
| Combined TOK and EE result | 3 points |
| CAS | 0 points, but completion is required |
| Maximum IB Diploma score | 45 points |
The calculation is:
Six subject grades + TOK and EE core points = final IB Diploma score out of 45
For example, grades of 6, 6, 5, 5, 5 and 4 produce a subject total of 31 points. If the student's TOK and EE grades produce 2 core points, the final result is 33 points out of 45.
How subject grades contribute to IB Diploma points
Assessment marks are not added directly to the 45-point total. Examinations, internal assessments and other required components are first combined using the weightings for that subject. The resulting weighted mark is converted into a final grade from 1 to 7.
Grade boundaries are the cut-off marks used for this conversion. They vary by subject, level and examination session, so 70% does not necessarily produce the same grade in every course. RevisionDojo's guide to how IB grade boundaries work explains this process in detail.
There are therefore two stages:
- Component marks are combined and converted into a subject grade from 1 to 7.
- The six subject grades are added to the 0-3 core points.
A grade 7 is an achievement level, not another way of writing 70%. Likewise, a grade 4 does not necessarily mean the student earned 40%.
Do HL subjects count for more than SL subjects?
No. An HL grade of 6 and an SL grade of 6 both contribute 6 points. The IB assessment overview confirms that both levels use the same 1-7 scale.
HL courses have greater scope and normally involve more recommended teaching time, but their grades are not multiplied. HL performance still matters because students must meet a separate HL points threshold to receive the diploma.
How TOK and Extended Essay points work
TOK and the EE are each graded from A to E. Their grades are combined using the official core points matrix, producing 0, 1, 2 or 3 points.
| Extended Essay grade / TOK grade | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Failing condition |
| B | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Failing condition |
| C | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Failing condition |
| D | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Failing condition |
| E | Failing condition | Failing condition | Failing condition | Failing condition | Failing condition |
For example, TOK B with EE C produces 2 core points, while TOK B with EE D produces 1 point. TOK C with EE D produces no core points. An E in either component is a failing condition.
TOK and the EE are not worth three points each. They contribute a maximum of three points together, as RevisionDojo's TOK and EE points guide explains.
Why CAS matters without adding points
CAS is not numerically graded and adds no points to the total. Nevertheless, completing its requirements is mandatory. A student can have more than 24 points but still not receive the diploma if CAS is incomplete.
This is the key distinction between calculating a points total and qualifying for the diploma.
Is 24 points an automatic pass?
No. Under the current IB Diploma passing criteria, a student needs at least 24 total points and must satisfy the other award conditions.
For the usual combination of three HL and three SL subjects, the principal conditions include:
- CAS must be completed.
- A grade must be awarded for every subject, TOK and the EE.
- The total must be at least 24 points.
- No subject may receive a grade 1.
- Grade 2 may not be awarded three or more times.
- Grade 3 or below may not be awarded four or more times.
- HL subjects must contribute at least 12 points.
- SL subjects must contribute at least 9 points.
- Neither TOK nor the EE may receive an E.
For four-HL students, the three highest HL grades count toward the 12-point requirement. A student registered for only two SL subjects must earn at least 5 points across them. Unusual subject combinations should be confirmed with the school's DP coordinator.
Complete calculation example
Consider these results:
| Component | Result | Points contributed |
|---|---|---|
| English A HL | 6 | 6 |
| History HL | 5 | 5 |
| Biology HL | 4 | 4 |
| Mathematics SL | 6 | 6 |
| Language B SL | 5 | 5 |
| Visual Arts SL | 5 | 5 |
| TOK and Extended Essay | B and B | 2 |
| CAS | Completed | 0 |
The subjects contribute 31 points, while TOK B and EE B add 2 points, producing 33 points. The HL subjects contribute 15 points and the SL subjects contribute 16. Provided all other conditions are satisfied, the diploma is awarded.
Common calculation mistakes
Students often confuse percentages with diploma points. Raw and weighted marks determine each 1-7 subject grade, but only those final grades enter the diploma total.
Another mistake is assuming every score of 24 earns the diploma. A grade 1, an E in TOK or the EE, incomplete CAS, or failure to meet the HL and SL thresholds can prevent the award.
Predicted grades are also not final results. They are estimates that can change because of examinations, externally assessed work, moderation and final boundaries. The IB Grade Calculator can estimate outcomes, but it cannot provide an official result.
Using the points system for revision
Estimate all six subject grades and the likely TOK and EE combination. Then identify subjects near the next grade boundary, since moving one subject from a 5 to a 6 raises the diploma total by one full point.
Use the IB grade boundaries database to interpret practice marks and the RevisionDojo Questionbank to target weak topics. Later, complete full predicted papers to test timing and whole-paper performance.
Conclusion
IB Diploma points come from six subject grades worth up to 42 points, plus 0-3 combined points from TOK and the EE. CAS adds no numerical points, but it must be completed, and reaching 24 does not override the remaining diploma conditions.
Students should track both their projected total and the separate HL, SL and core requirements. RevisionDojo's Grade Calculator and grade-boundary resources can support planning, while the Questionbank and Predicted Papers provide focused practice.
Sources and referenced URLs
- IB Diploma Programme assessment overview
- Official IB Diploma passing criteria and core points matrix
- RevisionDojo guide to IB grade boundaries
- RevisionDojo guide to TOK and EE core points
- RevisionDojo IB Grade Calculator
- RevisionDojo IB grade boundaries database
- RevisionDojo Questionbank
- RevisionDojo predicted papers