What Is a Good IB Score? [Student Guide]

What Is Considered a Good IB Score for University Admissions?

United States

• Top-tier schools (Harvard, Yale): 40–45
• Competitive schools (NYU, UC Berkeley): 35–40
• Mid-tier and state schools: 30–34

United Kingdom

• Oxford, Cambridge: 38–42 with high HL scores
• Russell Group universities: 34–38
• Foundation or backup courses: 28–33

Canada, Europe, Australia

• Toronto, McGill, UBC: 33–38
• Dutch, German, and Scandinavian schools: 30–36
• Australian universities: 30–34 for most degrees

Factors That Define a “Good” IB Score

• Your university goals: A “good” score is one that meets your dream school’s criteria.
• Your course competitiveness: Medicine and Engineering need higher scores than Humanities.
• Your HL subject results: Many schools focus on Higher Level (HL) subject performance.

How IB Scores Compare to Other Academic Systems

• IB vs GPA
  • A 40+ in IB is often seen as a 4.0+ GPA equivalent in US admissions.
• IB vs A-Levels
  • IB is broader; A-Levels go deeper. Both are respected by top schools.
• IB vs AP
  • IB is holistic and includes core components (EE, TOK, CAS); AP is more exam-based and flexible.

FAQs – Good IB Scores Demystified

Is 36 a good IB score?

Yes. It’s well above average and suitable for many competitive universities.

Is 24 enough for college?

Yes, for non-selective or regional universities. Most competitive schools want more.

What IB score do I need for medicine?

Typically 38–42, including HL Biology and Chemistry scores of 6 or 7.

Do HL grades matter more?

Yes. Universities often specify HL score requirements in offers.

Is the IB worth it for average students?

Absolutely. The skills you gain—critical thinking, research, organization—are valuable for life.

How can I improve my IB score?

• Focus on internal assessments
• Practice with past exam papers
• Use platforms like RevisionDojo for structured prep

Get the Score You Need with RevisionDojo

At RevisionDojo, we help students raise their IB scores with:

• Detailed revision schedules tailored to your subjects
• Expert guides for EE, TOK, and IA success
• Weekly feedback from top-scoring IB graduates
• Admissions advice tied to your IB performance

Crush your IB targets today at RevisionDojo — smart strategies for every IB student.

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