If you're an IB student preparing for university applications, you’ve likely been told: “Predicted grades are everything.” But how much do predicted grades actually matter?
The truth? Predicted grades do matter a lot—especially for early decisions and conditional offers—but they’re not the only thing universities consider. In this guide, we’ll break down how important predicted grades are, when they matter most, and what you can do if yours aren’t as high as you hoped.
What Are Predicted Grades?
Predicted grades are the teacher-assessed estimates of what score you’re likely to achieve in each of your six IB subjects. These predictions are submitted to universities before your final exams and are used for:
- University admissions decisions
- Scholarship applications
- Internal IB documentation
When Do Predicted Grades Matter the Most?
1. For Conditional Offers (UK, Canada, Australia)
- Universities like Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, or Toronto use predicted grades to offer conditional places.
- If you fall below the entry threshold, your application might be rejected automatically.
2. For Early Decisions (US and Europe)
- In the US, while GPA and essays are key, some universities ask for predicted IB grades as additional evidence.
- In parts of Europe, predictions help gauge if you’ll meet admission benchmarks.
3. For Scholarships or Honors Programs
- Some merit-based programs require or specific HL scores.
