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Free tool · IB Diploma

IB points calculator: your Diploma score out of 45

An IB Diploma score is out of 45: six subjects graded 1 to 7 give up to 42 points, and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE), each graded A to E, add up to 3 core points from a fixed matrix. A student needs at least 24 points, but points alone are not enough. The Diploma is not awarded with an E in TOK or the EE, a grade 1 in any subject, too many low grades, fewer than 12 points from Higher Level subjects or fewer than 9 from Standard Level, or incomplete CAS. Enter predicted or final grades to see the total and any failing condition.

Facts checked:

Six subjects

  1. Subject 1

  2. Subject 2

  3. Subject 3

  4. Subject 4

  5. Subject 5

  6. Subject 6

Core
Subject points
33
Core points
2
Total
35out of 45

No failing condition found from these grades. CAS must also be completed.

At a glance

Maximum
45 (42 from subjects + 3 core)
Minimum to pass
24 points, with no failing condition
Core points
0 to 3 from the TOK and EE matrix
HL and SL minimums
12 HL points and 9 SL points (3 HL, 3 SL)

The TOK and Extended Essay points matrix

Find the TOK grade in the first column and the EE grade along the top. The two grades are combined, not added.

TOK \ EEABCDE
A3322Fail
B3221Fail
C2210Fail
D2100Fail
EFailFailFailFailFail

An E in either component is a failing condition whatever the subject grades are.

How the calculator works, with an example

Add the six subject grades, then add the core points from the matrix. A student with HL grades of 6, 6 and 5, SL grades of 6, 5 and 5, a B in TOK and a B in the EE has 33 subject points and 2 core points: 35 in total. HL points are 17 and SL points 16, both above the minimums, so no failing condition applies.

The calculator then checks the conditions it can see from grades alone: under 24 points, an E in TOK or the EE, any grade 1, three or more grades of 2 or below, four or more grades of 3 or below, and the HL and SL minimums. Students taking four HL subjects have their three best HL grades counted towards the 12, and need 5 points from their two SL subjects.

What the calculator cannot check

  • CAS: the Diploma needs CAS completed, and it earns no points.
  • Academic misconduct findings, which can stop a Diploma being awarded.
  • Bilingual Diploma eligibility, and any university's own conditions, such as a 6 or 7 in a named HL subject.
  • Predicted grades are estimates. Final grades come from external exams and moderated internal assessment.

Using the result to plan lessons

Run the calculator twice: once with current predicted grades and once with the grades an offer asks for. The gap shows where the points have to come from. One point in a subject is often more reachable than people think, because an internal assessment carries 20% to 30% of most subjects and can be planned well before the exams. In one-to-one lessons a tutor works on the subject where a single grade boundary is closest, practises past papers under exam timing, and helps with the TOK essay or the EE structure within the IB's rules on authenticity, because two B grades in the core are worth two points.

Common questions

What is the minimum IB score to pass?

24 points, as long as no failing condition applies. A student with 30 points and an E in the Extended Essay does not receive the Diploma.

How many points do TOK and the EE give?

Up to 3, from the matrix: two A grades, or an A with a B, give 3. Two C grades give 1. A D with a C or D gives 0, and an E in either is a failing condition.

Do HL subjects count for more points?

No. HL and SL subjects are all graded 1 to 7. HL matters for the separate minimum of 12 HL points and for university offers that ask for specific HL grades.

Is the calculator official?

No. It applies the IB's published award rules as they are usually summarised. Your school's IB coordinator has the current general regulations and the final word on any edge case.

How do LiveTutor IB lessons work and what do they cost?

Lessons are one to one, online and 60 minutes with a tutor who teaches the IB course your child takes, at $15 a lesson. Plans run from 1 to 5 lessons a week, billed monthly, and the first lesson is a free trial.

Sources

Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.

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