IB predicted grades are set by your child’s school, usually in early DP2, based on evidence such as DP1 exams, tests and coursework progress; tutoring can help by improving that evidence before predictions are made, but the decision is always the school’s. Predicted grades matter because many universities make offers on them. This guide explains how predictions are usually set, when, and how to focus tutoring so it makes a real difference.

Written by Tutopiya, an online IB tutoring company. Every school sets predictions differently; ask your child’s IB coordinator.

Key takeaways

• Predictions are teacher judgements based on evidence, set by the school.
• Timing is often early DP2, before university deadlines.
• Tutoring helps by improving test results and coursework quality.
• Focus on subjects closest to the next grade up.

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How are IB predicted grades set?

Teachers predict the grade they expect a student to achieve in the final exams, using the evidence they have. Typical evidence includes:

Evidence	Why it matters
End-of-DP1 exams	Often the most important single result
Topic tests in DP1 and DP2	Shows consistency
Coursework progress	IA quality affects the final grade
Classwork and engagement	Shows trajectory
Mock exams (if timing allows)	Strong recent evidence

Universities use predicted grades in different ways. UK universities receive them through the UCAS application; other countries have their own systems. The IB’s own Diploma Programme pages explain how final grades are awarded.

When are predictions usually set?

Often in the first term of DP2, before early application deadlines. Some schools also give provisional predictions at the end of DP1.

Time	What happens
End of DP1	End-of-year exams; some schools give provisional predictions
Early DP2	Predictions finalised for applications
DP2 spring	Mock exams; final IA submissions
May (or November)	Final exams

Can tutoring change a predicted grade?

Tutoring can’t change a prediction directly, but it can change the evidence. If a student improves in tests and coursework before predictions are set, teachers have new evidence to consider. After predictions are submitted, focus shifts to meeting or beating them in the final exams.

Where should tutoring focus?

On the subjects closest to a higher grade and most important for the chosen course.

1. List each subject’s current working grade and the target.
2. Mark subjects within one grade of the target.
3. Prioritise those needed for the university course, such as Chemistry HL for medicine.
4. Identify the specific weak topics or papers from recent tests.
5. Book focused sessions before the next school assessment.

Our IB DP chemistry tutors and IB DP mathematics tutors often work with students aiming at competitive courses.

How should students talk to teachers about predictions?

Politely and with evidence. If a student believes a prediction doesn’t reflect recent improvement, they can ask the teacher what evidence was used and what would need to change. Schools differ in whether they revise predictions.

What about the IA and EE?

Coursework quality affects final grades and often teachers’ confidence in a prediction. A tutor can teach the skills behind strong coursework within IB rules. See our guides to IB internal assessment tutoring and extended essay tutoring.

A sample plan for the term before predictions

Weeks	Focus
1–2	Review end-of-DP1 results and choose priority subjects
3–6	Fix the topics that cost most marks
7–8	Timed practice for the next school assessment
9–10	Coursework skills and steady revision

This keeps the focus on genuine improvement in the evidence teachers will use.

What if the prediction is lower than hoped?

Choose universities with the prediction in mind, and keep working towards a higher final result. Final grades sometimes exceed predictions, and some offers are flexible. Use the prediction as information for planning, not as a ceiling.

Do all universities use IB predicted grades?

No. Use varies by country and university. UK universities typically make offers based on predicted grades through UCAS. Many universities in other countries look at predicted grades together with school transcripts, while some admit students on final results. Check the admission rules for each university your child is considering, and note the deadlines, because early deadlines bring the timing of predictions forward.

How Tutopiya tutoring works

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online IB tutoring by subject and level.

• A tutor matched to the subject and HL or SL.
• A free first trial lesson, with no card needed.
• From 4 hours a month per subject. Each tutor sets their own rate, which you see before booking.
• AI lesson analysis gives a summary, flashcards and quiz questions after each lesson.

See our IB tuition page.

Questions to ask the school

1. When are predicted grades set, and what evidence is used?
2. Are provisional predictions given at the end of DP1?
3. Can predictions be reviewed if results improve?

Common mistakes

• Starting after predictions are set → start in DP1.
• Spreading effort across all subjects → focus on those near the next grade.
• Neglecting coursework → it affects both predictions and final grades.
• Assuming tutoring automatically raises a prediction → it improves the evidence; the school decides.

Talk to us

If predictions are coming up, contact our team. For the first year of the Diploma, see our guide to DP1 tutoring.

Summary: IB predicted grades are the school’s judgement based on evidence; tutoring helps most when it improves test results and coursework in the subjects closest to the next grade, well before predictions are set.

Frequently asked questions

How are IB predicted grades decided? +

Schools set predicted grades using teachers' judgement of a student's likely final grade, usually based on DP1 tests, end-of-year exams, coursework progress and classwork. Each school has its own process.

Can tutoring raise IB predicted grades? +

Tutoring can improve the evidence teachers use, such as test results and coursework quality. Whether a prediction changes is the school's decision, so focus on genuine improvement before the school sets predictions.

When are IB predicted grades set? +

Usually in the first term of DP2, before early university deadlines, though timing varies by school and by country. Ask the school for its timeline.

What matters most for predicted grades? +

End-of-DP1 exams, DP2 test results, coursework progress and consistency. Improving in the subjects closest to a higher grade has the biggest effect.

Can Tutopiya help before predictions are set? +

Yes. Tutopiya IB tutors work on the topics and skills tested in school assessments. The first trial lesson is free with no card required.

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