IB Grade Calculator: the Mark You Need for a 7 in Every Subject

Subject and level

What do I need

IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL: the mark you need, paper by paper

Session

Grade

In May 2025 TZ3 a 7 overall started at 76 out of 100 scaled marks. On each component:

Component	Out of	Minimum for a 7	As %
Internal assessment (exploration)	20	17	85%
Paper 1	110	70	64%
Paper 2	110	85	77%
Paper 3	55	48	87%

Component grades come straight from the IB document for that session. The overall grade is on a 100-mark scale built from the components with the weightings in the subject guide, so it is not computed here: a strong component carries a weaker one, and the table shows how much room each one leaves.

Full history for this subject: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL grade boundaries.

How to use it on a mock

Mark the mock with the official markscheme, enter the raw mark of each paper, and read the grade on each component against the boundaries of the session the paper came from. The component that sits closest to the threshold below is where the next marks are cheapest.

Then look at the overall threshold for the grade you want. The scaled total out of 100 is built from the components with the weightings in the subject guide; a strong paper carries a weaker one, and the gap between a 6 and a 7 is usually one long question answered properly.

Sources

Every number comes from the grade boundaries document the IB issues to Diploma Programme coordinators after each session. The full dataset, every subject from May 2017 to the latest session, is on the grade boundaries overview, as CSV and JSON.

Independent work, not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate. Corrections: pietro@pietromeloni.com.

Frequently asked questions

How is the overall IB grade worked out from the papers?

Each component is marked out of its own total, then scaled with the weighting in the subject guide (for example 30% for one paper, 20% for the internal assessment) into a total out of 100. The overall boundaries are set on that 100-mark scale. The weightings are not in the boundaries document, so this tool shows the component grades and the overall threshold, not a computed final grade.

Can I get a 7 overall with a 6 on one paper?

Yes, and it happens often. The grade is decided on the scaled total, not on the lowest component. A strong internal assessment or a strong paper carries a weaker one, and the component table shows how far above the threshold each one is.

Which session should I use for a mock?

The session the paper came from. Boundaries follow the paper: a hard paper gets lower thresholds. Marking a May 2023 paper against May 2025 boundaries gives a wrong grade in both directions.

Where do these numbers come from?

From the grade boundaries document the IB issues to Diploma Programme coordinators after each session, from May 2017 to November 2025. Every subject page lists every session on record and links the full dataset as CSV and JSON.

What do I need for a 7? The mark on each paper, for every IB subject