The global average for the May 2026 session was 30.88 points out of 45. Here is what each band from 24 to 45 means for university offers, and where the 3 bonus points come from.
Quick answer: A good IB score is one above the global average and in line with your target course. The IB reports a global average of 30.88 points out of 45 for the May 2026 session (30.58 in May 2025). Around 30 is a typical result, 34 to 36 is solid, 38+ is strong, and 40+ puts a student among the top performers each year. The most selective courses usually add specific Higher Level grades on top of the total.
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Yes. A 36 is about five points above the global average of 30.88 (May 2026), so it is a comfortably above-average result. It meets typical offers at a wide range of UK, Australian, Canadian and European universities. The most competitive courses, such as Medicine or the most selective Engineering and Economics programmes, usually ask for 38 or more with specific HL grades.
The IB Diploma is scored out of 45 points: six subjects graded 1 to 7, plus up to 3 core points. For the structure behind it, see what the IB Diploma is. For the bigger choice, see IB Diploma vs A-Levels and is the IB worth it.
The IB publishes the global average Diploma score after every session. These are the official figures for recent May sessions:
| Session | Global average Diploma score |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | 30.88 points |
| May 2025 | 30.58 points |
| May 2024 | 30.32 points |
| November 2025 | 29.3 points |
Source: IB results announcements and the IB Diploma statistical bulletins. November sessions are smaller and usually average slightly lower. For how the total is built, see how the IB is scored out of 45. If your child is in the Middle Years Programme, MYP uses a different 1 to 7 scale: see MYP grade boundaries.
| Score | What it means |
|---|---|
| 24 | The minimum total for the Diploma, provided no failing condition applies (see IB failing conditions). |
| 30 | Close to the global average. Meets typical offers at many universities worldwide. |
| 34 | Above average. A solid score for a broad range of degree courses. |
| 36 | Comfortably above average. Competitive for many popular courses. |
| 38 | Strong. The level many selective courses ask for, often with HL grades of 6 and 7. |
| 40+ | Very strong. Only a minority of candidates reach 40 or more each session. |
| 45 | The maximum: 7 in all six subjects plus 3 core points. Very rare. |
The IB total is made up of:
TOK and the EE are each graded A to E, and the IB converts the pair into points using its published matrix:
| EE grade | TOK A | TOK B | TOK C | TOK D | TOK E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Fail |
| B | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Fail |
| C | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Fail |
| D | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Fail |
| E | Fail | Fail | Fail | Fail | Fail |
An E in either TOK or the EE is a failing condition, so the Diploma is not awarded whatever the total. A D does not fail on its own, but it costs bonus points. CAS earns no points but must be completed for the Diploma to be awarded. More detail: TOK and CAS bonus points.
Offers are set course by course, so always check the exact total and HL grades each university lists for your child's course.
Universities look at specific HL subjects, not just the total:
For how HL and SL differ, see what HL and SL mean in IB.
The 3 core points are decisive when a student is borderline:
If a predicted score is below target, talk to the school's IB coordinator early: there is often time to move one or two HL grades. 1-on-1 IB Diploma tutoring online focused on the weakest HL subject is usually the fastest route.
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.
💬 Book a Free Trial on WhatsAppOfficial sources: IB Diploma assessment (official), IB Diploma passing criteria, IB statistical bulletins.
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