Introduction
If you are taking IB English B SL in May or November 2025, knowing the official grade boundaries is essential. Grade boundaries tell you how many marks you need to score in each assessment component to achieve Grades 1–7.
This guide provides the English B SL (Standard Level) grade boundaries for Timezone 0 (TZ0). You’ll find breakdowns for Internal Assessment (oral), Paper 1, Paper 2 Listening, Paper 2 Reading, and the final overall thresholds.
English B SL Internal Assessment (Oral) Grade Boundaries – 2025 TZ0
- Grade 7: 27–30
- Grade 6: 22–26
- Grade 5: 16–21
- Grade 4: 11–15
- Grade 3: 6–10
- Grade 2: 3–5
- Grade 1: 0–2
👉 The oral assessment is worth 30 marks. Achieving at least 22 marks secures a Grade 6, while 27 or higher guarantees the top grade (7).
English B SL Paper One Grade Boundaries – 2025 TZ0
- Grade 7: 25–30
- Grade 6: 22–24
- Grade 5: 18–21
- Grade 4: 15–17
- Grade 3: 12–14
- Grade 2: 6–11
- Grade 1: 0–5
👉 Paper One tests written communication and is also out of 30 marks. To secure a 7, students need at least 25 marks.
English B SL Paper Two Listening Grade Boundaries – 2025 TZ0
- Grade 7: 24–25
- Grade 6: 19–23
- Grade 5: 15–18
- Grade 4: 10–14
- Grade 3: 6–9
- Grade 2: 3–5
- Grade 1: 0–2
👉 The listening paper (out of 25) is often one of the more challenging components. Scoring 19+ puts you in the Grade 6 band.
English B SL Paper Two Reading Grade Boundaries – 2025 TZ0
- Grade 7: 37–40
- Grade 6: 33–36
- Grade 5: 29–32
- Grade 4: 25–28
- Grade 3: 17–24
- Grade 2: 9–16
- Grade 1: 0–8
👉 Reading comprehension is out of 40 marks. To achieve a 7, students must score 37 or higher.
Final English B SL Grade Boundaries – 2025 TZ0
The overall grade boundaries (out of 100 total marks) are:
- Grade 7: 88–100
- Grade 6: 74–87
- Grade 5: 59–73
- Grade 4: 45–58
- Grade 3: 29–44
- Grade 2: 14–28
- Grade 1: 0–13
👉 To pass with confidence, aim for at least 45 marks overall. To secure a Grade 7, students need 88 or more marks out of 100.
Tips for Scoring High in English B SL
- Balance your effort – Paper 1 and the Oral carry heavy weight, so strong preparation in writing and speaking pays off.
- Practice listening and reading daily – Exposure to authentic materials (podcasts, articles, news) helps improve comprehension.
- Understand the markschemes – IB examiners reward clarity, structure, and accuracy. Reviewing past papers is key.
- Manage time effectively – In Paper 1, allocate planning, writing, and proofreading time carefully.
Conclusion
The IB English B SL grade boundaries for 2025 (TZ0) show that students need strong, consistent performance across oral, written, listening, and reading components to achieve the top grades. With 88 marks securing a Grade 7, preparation should focus on maximizing marks across all components rather than relying on just one.
If you’re also looking for the English B HL grade boundaries or comparisons across Timezone 1 and 2, check out our other guides.
