What Is a Good IB Score? Averages, Universities and Bonus Points
Global average sits around 30 points. 40+ is strong, 42+ is competitive at the most selective universities, 45 is the rare ceiling. Here is what each band unlocks.
Velocity Tuition Academy · IB Diploma · Score Targets
Updated May 2026·Written by Velocity Tuition Academy·Reviewed by IB Diploma teachers and university-admissions experienced consultants
"Is 36 a good IB score?" "Will my child get into Imperial with 38?" The honest answers depend on what comes next. The IB Diploma is scored out of 45 points, with the global average in recent published cohorts hovering around 30 points. A 36 is above-average and opens most universities; a 40 is genuinely strong; 42+ is competitive at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE and Ivy League US institutions; 45 is rare. This guide breaks down each band and what it actually unlocks.
Six subjects × 7 points each = 42 points from subject grades.
Up to 3 bonus points from the combination of Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE).
The TOK/EE bonus is awarded via a published matrix. The headline rules:
3 bonus points require both TOK and EE at A.
2 bonus points with combinations like A/B or B/A in TOK/EE.
1 bonus point for combinations like B/B or A/C.
0 bonus points for weak combinations.
Fail condition triggered by D or E in either TOK or EE.
CAS does not contribute points but must be completed satisfactorily for the Diploma to be awarded.
What Each Score Band Means
Reading the IB cohort published data and standard university equivalences:
24 points — minimum for Diploma award (with conditions met). Below 24 receives subject certificates only.
30 points — global average. Around the median IB candidate.
35 points — solid above-average. Opens most UK universities outside Russell Group; competitive at Group of Eight (Australia), accepted at most US universities.
38 points — strong. Competitive at Russell Group institutions including King's, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, Warwick. Strong at the Australian Group of Eight.
40 points — high. Competitive at the top of the Russell Group (LSE, UCL, Durham). Strong for Ivy League US applications.
42 points — very strong. Competitive at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial. Highly competitive for Ivy League US.
44-45 points — exceptional. Top end of the cohort each year. Particularly noted by US admissions; rare even at Oxbridge.
Subject-Specific Patterns
Universities care about specific subjects, not just the total. The patterns:
Medicine: typically 36-38 minimum with HL Chemistry and Biology at 6 or 7. Oxford and Cambridge typically expect 40-42 with 776 at HL.
Engineering: typically 36-38 minimum with HL Maths AA and Physics at 6 or 7. Imperial and Cambridge typically expect 38-42 with specific HL subjects. AA HL is the standard; AI is rarely accepted.
Economics: Maths AA HL at 6 or 7 is competitive entry. LSE Economics typically expects 38 with 7 in Maths HL.
Liberal arts (US): total score matters more than subject specifics, but HL subjects show depth. Ivy League admits typically score 38-44.
Humanities: total score plus an HL English Language and Literature grade. Most courses expect 36+ with HL English at 6 or 7.
TOK/EE Strategy
The 3 bonus points from TOK and EE are decisive when borderline. The strategic implications:
Treat the EE as a real research project. Plan in IB Year 1, not the final term. Pick a topic the student genuinely cares about. See our IB Extended Essay guide.
Don't underestimate TOK. Many students treat TOK as an afterthought. The TOK essay is worth 50% of the TOK grade; the exhibition is the other 50%.
Aim for A/B at minimum on both. This produces 2 bonus points and avoids the D/E fail condition.
If borderline at 24 points the bonus points are critical. A student at 22 from subjects with 3 bonus points hits 25 — Diploma awarded.
Realistic Targets By Profile
Solid student aiming at standard UK university: target 32-35.
Strong student aiming at Russell Group / Australian Group of Eight: target 36-39.
Top student aiming at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, Ivy League: target 40-44.
Exceptional student aiming at the most competitive courses (Cambridge Medicine, Imperial Engineering, Harvard, Stanford): target 42-45 with specific HL grades.
A score above target is good. A score at target is sufficient. A score below target needs to be discussed honestly with the school's IB coordinator — sometimes there is flexibility, sometimes there isn't.
Targeting a specific IB score?
Our 1-on-1 IB Diploma tutors specialise in the HL subjects most often missed for top scores — Maths AA HL, Sciences HL, Economics HL, plus TOK and EE supervision. Free diagnostic trial maps current band to target band.
The global average IB Diploma score in recent published cohorts has hovered around 30 points (out of 45). Roughly 80% of students complete the Diploma; about 30% score above 35 points.
Yes — 36 is above the global average (around 30) and a solid score. It opens most UK universities including Russell Group institutions outside the very top tier (LSE, Oxbridge, Imperial). It is competitive at the Australian Group of Eight and accepted at most US universities. For Medicine, Oxbridge or Imperial, higher scores (38+) are typically expected.
Yes — 40 is genuinely strong. It is competitive at the top of the Russell Group (LSE, UCL, Durham), strong for Ivy League US applications, and consistent with top-tier admission to most international universities. For the most selective courses (Cambridge Medicine, Imperial Engineering) 42+ is typically expected, but 40 is rarely a barrier on its own.
Yes, but it is rare. A small fraction of each global IB cohort scores the maximum 45 — typically a few hundred students worldwide each year out of around 170,000 candidates. 45 requires 7 in all six subjects (42 from subjects) plus 3 bonus points from A/A in TOK and EE.
Up to 3 bonus points are awarded from the combination of Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE), via an IB-published matrix. 3 bonus points requires both at A. 2 bonus points typical for combinations like A/B or B/A. 0 bonus points for weak combinations. A D or E in either TOK or the EE triggers a Diploma fail condition.
Oxford and Cambridge typically require 38-42 points with specific HL subject grades. The standard offer is 38-42 overall with 776 at HL (three 7s and a 6, or two 7s and two 6s) or 776 / 766 depending on the course. Specific HL subjects are required for STEM and Medicine. Always check the specific college and course requirements.
