Understanding IB Grade Boundaries
IB grade boundaries define the minimum exam scores required to earn each grade from 1 to 7 in different subjects. These boundaries are determined after exams are marked, accounting for factors like exam difficulty, overall cohort performance, and subject-specific requirements. (revisiondojo.com)
Why Grade Boundaries Aren’t Fixed
- Exam Difficulty: Tougher exams lead to lower grade boundaries.
- Global Performance Trends: If students perform exceptionally well or poorly across a session, boundaries are adjusted.
- Subject Variation: Essay-based subjects often require higher raw scores for the same grade compared to calculation-based subjects. (revisiondojo.com)
Grade boundaries ensure fairness and consistency, not predictability.
Typical Percentages Needed for a 7
Based on recent trends, here are approximate percentage ranges for a top grade:
- Physics HL: ~68–72%
- Math AA SL: ~75–80%
- Chemistry SL: ~70–75%
- English A Literature HL: ~82–85%
- Biology HL: ~76–79% (revisiondojo.com)
What this shows: 80% isn’t always a guarantee of a 7, especially in essay or arts-based subjects.
How Your Grade Gets Calculated
Each subject combines Internal Assessment (IA) and External Exams based on prescribed weightings (often 20% IA + 80% exams). The weighted total is matched to boundaries to determine a final grade (1–7). (revisiondojo.com)
Core points (EE + TOK) then add up to 3 bonus points toward your diploma; six subject grades contribute up to 42 points. (revisiondojo.com)
How to Use Grade Boundary Insights Strategically
- Set realistic thresholds: Review past boundaries for your subject to estimate the % needed to target a 6 or 7.
- Balance IA vs Exam weightings: Practice both internal tasks and exam questions according to their percentage contribution.
- Master criteria beyond correctness: In humanities, quality of analysis and structure matter more than raw percent.
- Track boundary trends: See if thresholds are rising or falling over successive years to fine-tune your prep. (revisiondojo.com)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is an IB grade boundary?
The minimum percentage or raw score needed to earn each grade (1–7) in a subject. These are set after marking. [revisiondojo.com]
Q2. Why do boundaries change year to year?
They reflect exam difficulty, cohort performance, and any syllabus changes.
Q3. Does every subject use the same boundary?
No—sciences, math, languages, and essays all have different thresholds based on difficulty and grading patterns.
Q4. Is 80% always enough for a 7?
Not necessarily—it can be sufficient in sciences but may only yield a 6 in subjects like Physics HL or English HL. (revisiondojo.com)
Q5. How does the IB combine IA and exams into a grade?
Using the prescribed subject-specific weighting, then mapping the total to the grade boundaries. (revisiondojo.com)
Q6. Does your IB score (out of 45) use these boundaries too?
Yes—final subject grades (1–7) plus up to 3 bonus points from TOK/EE combine to a 45‑point diploma total. (revisiondojo.com)
📣 Call to Action
Want help translating your raw paper scores into target IB grades? Use RevisionDojo’s IB grade boundary resources:
- Past boundary analyses by subject
- Grade estimation tools (IA + exam weighting)
- Subject-specific boundary trend breakdowns
