Short answer. IB Diploma total = six subject grades (1 to 7 each, up to 42) plus up to 3 core points from TOK and the Extended Essay. The maximum is 45. You need at least 24 and must meet the other conditions.
How the IB Diploma score is built
You take six subjects. Each is graded from 1 to 7. That gives a maximum of 42. Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE) add up to 3 more points together. The top total is 45.
The TOK and Extended Essay matrix
TOK and the EE are graded A to E. The two grades give one core score from 0 to 3. The matrix is below. Read the row for your EE grade and the column for your TOK grade.
- EE A: 3 points with TOK A or B, 2 points with TOK C or D
- EE B: 3 points with TOK A, 2 with TOK B or C, 1 with TOK D
- EE C: 2 points with TOK A or B, 1 with TOK C, 0 with TOK D
- EE D: 2 points with TOK A, 1 with TOK B, 0 with TOK C or D
- An E in either part is a failing condition for the Diploma
Pass conditions
You need at least 24 points. You also need to meet the other rules. The calculator checks these: CAS is completed; no grade 1 in any subject; no more than two grade 2s; no more than three grades of 3 or lower; at least 12 points from your best three Higher Level subjects; at least 9 points from Standard Level subjects (5 if you take only two); and no E in TOK or the EE. A missing grade, shown as N, also stops the Diploma.
The IB sets the final rules each year. Your school will confirm your result.
UCAS tariff
For UK applications, the calculator also shows an approximate tariff from the subjects. It uses the published conversion of HL 7 to 56, HL 6 to 48, HL 5 to 32, HL 4 to 24, HL 3 to 12, and half of those values for Standard Level. This is a guide. Check the current UCAS tariff tables for the official numbers.
How to raise your total
Look at the small gains first. One extra point in a Higher Level subject adds one point to your total, the same as in a Standard Level subject. The core can add up to 3 points, so a better EE or TOK grade is worth real effort. Try the matrix in the tool. With EE at B and TOK at B you get 2 core points. Raise TOK from B to A and you get 3. Small grade steps in the core can matter as much as a grade step in one subject.
Worked example
Example. Three Higher Level subjects: 6, 5 and 6. Three Standard Level subjects: 5, 6 and 5. TOK is B. The EE is B. CAS is done.
Subject points: 6 + 5 + 6 + 5 + 6 + 5 = 33. The matrix for EE B and TOK B gives 2 core points. Total: 33 + 2 = 35 out of 45.
Checks: HL points are 17, above 12. SL points are 16, above 9. No grade is below 4. The student passes.
Approximate UCAS tariff: HL 48 + 32 + 48 = 128. SL 16 + 24 + 16 = 56. Total: 184 points.
Questions
What is the maximum IB score?
45. Six subjects give up to 42 and the core gives up to 3.
What is the lowest passing score?
24 points. You must also meet the other conditions, such as no grade 1 and CAS done.
How many core points can I get?
From 0 to 3. The number comes from the TOK and Extended Essay matrix.
What if I get an E in TOK or the EE?
That is a failing condition. You cannot be awarded the Diploma, whatever your other results.
Is the UCAS tariff exact here?
No. It is approximate. It is based on the published IB conversion and does not count the core. Universities mostly state their own IB offers, such as 36 points with 6 6 5 at Higher Level.
Which subjects count as Higher Level for the 12 point rule?
The best three Higher Level grades. If you take four HL subjects, only the best three count for this rule.
Last checked by the StudyCount team.