How IB diploma scoring works: the 45-point system explained
How is the IB diploma scored? The 45-point system, the 24-point pass mark, TOK and Extended Essay bonus points, failing conditions and what different totals mean for university.
The IB diploma is scored out of 45 points, but the number hides real complexity: the total combines six subject grades with up to three bonus points, and passing depends on avoiding a set of failing conditions. This guide explains exactly how the score is built, what the 24-point pass mark means and how universities read different totals. For the wider picture start with what is the IB.
Building the score: 42 + 3
Each of the six subjects is graded on a 1-7 scale, where 7 is the top grade. Six subjects therefore give a base of 42 points. The TOK essay/exhibition and the Extended Essay are graded A-E and combined in a matrix that awards 0-3 bonus points. Base plus bonus gives a maximum of 45.
The 24-point pass mark and failing conditions
A diploma requires at least 24 points — but crossing 24 is not enough on its own. A candidate must also avoid every failing condition:
- CAS requirements not completed
- A grade of E in TOK or the Extended Essay
- A grade 1 in any subject
- Grade 2 in three or more subjects
- Grade 3 or below in four or more subjects
- Fewer than 12 points across HL subjects
- Fewer than 9 points across SL subjects
How grade boundaries work
The 1-7 grade for each subject is set by grade boundaries that combine marks from all exam papers and the Internal Assessment. Boundaries are re-set each session through a process called grade awarding, so the mark needed for a 7 shifts slightly year to year depending on paper difficulty. This is why raw marks matter less than performing consistently against the mark scheme.
What different totals mean for university
- 24-29: a valid diploma; opens many universities worldwide.
- 30-34: around the global average; competitive for a broad range of good universities.
- 35-39: strong; meets typical offers from selective UK, EU and North American universities.
- 40-45: exceptional; in range for the most selective programmes (Oxbridge, Imperial, LSE and equivalents).
For country-by-country thresholds see our guide on universities that accept the IB.
Where points are most often won and lost
- The TOK/EE bonus: strong students who target an A/B combination gain up to 3 points — often the difference between 37 and 40.
- The Internal Assessment: worth ~20-30% of each subject and known in advance through the rubric; a rubric-driven IA reliably adds marks.
- The 6-to-7 jump: closing the top band in one or two subjects usually comes from mark-scheme fluency, where targeted IB tutoring has the highest return.