It is very important that IB students understand IB grade boundaries. Most IB students aim to score highly in the May 2025 session. Their expectations can be more practically achieved with a clear understanding of grade boundaries.
In this article, you’ll find a complete guide to IB grade boundaries for the IB Diploma Programme. You’ll learn how IB grade boundaries are set and how you should plan your academic strategies according to your subjects.
What are IB Grade Boundaries for May 25?
If you want to score a particular grade in a subject or TOK (Theory of Knowledge) and EE (Extended Essay), you need to cross the grade boundaries. Here’s an example to make this clearer from IB Mathematics AA (SL).
If the grade boundary for a 7 is 75% and you score above this boundary, you’ll earn a 7. Every subject and core component, like TOK and EE, has its grade boundary. IBO releases these boundaries officially after every exam. They depend on factors such as exam difficulty, subject, and session. IB examiners are trained assessment experts, and they set these boundaries.
Why IB Grade Boundaries For May 25 Are Important for Students?
It’s very important to understand IB grade boundaries because they offer key benefits for students:
- You can set realistic targets once you understand the grade boundaries.
- If you have a good understanding of grade boundaries in a particular subject, you can manage your study time more effectively.
- You can plan your strategy for the exam.
- You can also estimate your grades using grade boundaries.
- You can analyze historical data from previous years’ grade boundaries published by the IB. If you are a student of May 2025, review the grades from May 2023 to May 2024.
How Are IB Grade Boundaries For May 25 Determined?
IB exam experts are experienced professionals, and they use multiple methods to set grade boundaries:
- They analyze student performance and consistency throughout the year.
- Examiners also compare past exam papers with the current ones before deciding on grade boundaries.
- Weights of internal and external assessments are calculated separately.
- The aim is to ensure integrity. If the exam papers are more difficult than usual, they lower the boundaries to show the difficulty level.
What Is The Influence of Grade Boundaries On Final Grades?
Final exams are external assessments with a weightage of 70–80% of the total score. Internal Assessments (IAs) are marked by subject teachers but moderated by IB examiners. Language orals and science practicals also contribute to final grades.
Example – IB Biology HL:
- Paper 1: 20%
- Paper 2: 36%
- Paper 3: 24%
- Internal Assessment: 20%
Students must maintain consistency to achieve high final scores.
Estimated Grade Boundaries for May 2025 (Based on Past Data)
While final grade boundaries are released after the exams, students can estimate them using previous years’ trends.
IB Mathematics AA SL (out of 100):
- Grade 7: 75–100
- Grade 6: 64–74
- Grade 5: 53–63
- Grade 4: 43–52
IB English A Language & Literature HL (out of 100):
- Grade 7: 85–100
- Grade 6: 75–84
- Grade 5: 65–74
- Grade 4: 55–64
Biology HL (out of 100):
- Grade 7: 78–100
- Grade 6: 67–77
- Grade 5: 56–66
- Grade 4: 45–55
TOK and Extended Essay Grade Boundaries
TOK and EE are important components of the IB Diploma Programme. They are assessed on an A–E scale and contribute up to 3 core points to the final score.
| Expected IB Grade Boundaries For May 25 | TOK out of 30 | Expected IB Grade Boundaries For May 25 | EE (out of 34) |
| A: 22–30 | A: 27–34 |
| B: 16–21 | B: 21–26 |
| C: 10–15 | C: 14–20 |
| D: 4–9 | D: 7–13 |
| E: 0–3 | E: 0–6 |
IB History HL (out of 100):
- Grade 7: 81–100
- Grade 6: 70–80
- Grade 5: 60–69
(All these grade ranges are estimations and may vary slightly in the final release.)
How to Use Grade Boundaries Strategically
- Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. For example, if you scored 18/24 on your English IA, aim to match or improve that performance in your other assessments.
- Aim higher than the estimated boundary. If a 7 requires 75%, set your goal at 78–80% to ensure a safety margin.
- Focus more on assessments with higher weightage (e.g., Paper 2 in Science).
- Monitor your progress and regularly estimate your expected score.
- Take feedback from teachers and IB tutors—they can identify weak areas.
- Analyze previous performances to identify where more effort is needed.
- Don’t ignore TOK and EE—they can add valuable points.
- Combine hard work with a smart strategy to focus on important parts of the syllabus.
- Avoid last-minute preparation. Use the last few days for focused revision, not new learning.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t underestimate your Internal Assessments—they impact your final score.
- Grade boundaries are estimations; actual values may vary. Always aim higher.
- Don’t focus only on HL subjects. SL subjects contribute to the final grade, too.
Conclusion
Grade boundaries are strategic tools that can transform your IB journey. Estimating them allows you to plan smarter, practice better, and set achievable goals. Combine consistent effort with smart academic planning to score your best in May 2025.
