Introduction
For IB Geography SL students in May 2025, knowing the grade boundaries is essential to setting goals and tracking progress. Grade boundaries tell you how many marks are needed for each grade (1–7) across different components of the exam.
This article provides the full IB Geography SL grade boundaries (Timezone 0) for Internal Assessment, Paper 1, Paper 2, and the final overall score.
Geography SL Internal Assessment Grade Boundaries – 2025 TZ0
- Grade 7: 21–25
- Grade 6: 18–20
- Grade 5: 14–17
- Grade 4: 11–13
- Grade 3: 6–10
- Grade 2: 3–5
- Grade 1: 0–2
👉 The IA is worth 25 marks. To achieve a 7, students need at least 21 marks.
Geography SL Paper One Grade Boundaries – 2025 TZ0
- Grade 7: 31–40
- Grade 6: 27–30
- Grade 5: 23–26
- Grade 4: 19–22
- Grade 3: 15–18
- Grade 2: 8–14
- Grade 1: 0–7
👉 Paper 1 (structured questions on the core syllabus) is out of 40 marks. A Grade 7 requires 31 or higher.
Geography SL Paper Two Grade Boundaries – 2025 TZ0
- Grade 7: 38–50
- Grade 6: 32–37
- Grade 5: 25–31
- Grade 4: 19–24
- Grade 3: 14–18
- Grade 2: 7–13
- Grade 1: 0–6
👉 Paper 2 (optional themes) is marked out of 50. A Grade 7 requires 38 marks.
Final Geography SL Grade Boundaries – 2025 TZ0
Out of a total of 100 marks, the overall thresholds are:
- Grade 7: 77–100
- Grade 6: 66–76
- Grade 5: 52–65
- Grade 4: 41–51
- Grade 3: 29–40
- Grade 2: 14–28
- Grade 1: 0–13
👉 To achieve a 7 overall, you’ll need at least 77 marks out of 100.
Tips for Scoring High in Geography SL
- Focus on case studies – Detailed, specific examples can push essays into the top markband.
- Practice resource analysis – Paper 1 frequently uses maps, graphs, and images; clear interpretation is key.
- Learn command terms – Know the difference between “describe,” “explain,” and “evaluate” to avoid losing marks.
- Balance revision – Since the IA and both exam papers carry weight, consistent performance matters more than relying on one strong component.
Conclusion
The IB Geography SL grade boundaries for 2025 (TZ0) reveal that a Grade 7 requires at least 77/100 overall. With careful preparation—particularly mastering case studies and exam techniques—students can maximize their chances of success.
For students taking Geography HL, you can check out our detailed HL grade boundaries breakdown to compare thresholds across levels.
