IB Diploma SL

IB Diploma SL Maths Applications & Interpretation SL Grade Boundaries

grades 1–7. Reference patterns from recent May sessions. Years available: 2024, 2023, 2022.

How to use this tool

  1. Add up all your paper marks — your raw mark is the total across every paper in the subject (e.g. Paper 1 + Paper 2 + Paper 3)
  2. Select the year that matches your past paper
  3. Enter your total raw mark in the box below the boundaries table
  4. Your predicted grade is shown instantly

IB Maths Applications & Interpretation SL combines written papers (Paper 1, Paper 2 and — at HL — Paper 3) plus the Mathematical Exploration (20 marks). Your raw mark is the sum across all components. The IB does not publish a single public boundary PDF — figures here reflect typical patterns from recent May sessions.

GradeMin. mark (out of 180)%
7144 marks80%
6122 marks68%
597 marks54%
472 marks40%
350 marks28%
233 marks18%
116 marks9%

What grade is my mark?

Grade boundaries vary each year. Data sourced from published IB Diploma documents for reference only. Always verify at the official board website.

Track your progress over time

Use the Past Paper Score Tracker to log each past paper and see your score % trend — then compare it to these boundaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate my raw mark?

IB Maths Applications & Interpretation SL combines written papers (Paper 1, Paper 2 and — at HL — Paper 3) plus the Mathematical Exploration (20 marks). Your raw mark is the sum across all components. The IB does not publish a single public boundary PDF — figures here reflect typical patterns from recent May sessions.

Do I add up all my paper scores?

Yes — your raw mark is the sum of your marks from all papers in the subject. For example, if Maths Applications & Interpretation SL has two papers and you scored 65/100 on Paper 1 and 72/100 on Paper 2, your total raw mark is 137/200. Enter 137 in the tool to see your grade.

How does the Internal Assessment count toward my grade?

The Internal Assessment (or, for Economics, the IA portfolio of commentaries) typically contributes 20% of the final mark in IB Maths Applications & Interpretation SL (30% at SL Economics). Your raw mark on the tool should be the combined total across written papers and the IA. The IA is moderated, not externally examined — your teacher's mark may be adjusted up or down by IB moderators.

What years of IB Diploma SL Maths Applications & Interpretation SL grade boundaries are available?

This tool has grade boundary data for the following years: 2024, 2023, 2022. All data is from the May/June examination series, which is the main series for most students.

Why do grade boundaries change each year?

Grade boundaries are adjusted each year so that students who performed as well as an average student from a previous year receive the same grade, regardless of whether that year's paper was harder or easier. This process is called grade protection (Cambridge) or comparable outcomes (Ofqual). A harder paper will have lower boundaries; an easier paper will have higher ones.

My mark is close to a boundary — should I appeal?

If your mark is within 2–3 marks of the next grade boundary, it may be worth asking your school about an Enquiry About Results (EAR) or a clerical check. One mark can sometimes be the difference between grades. Note that mark reviews can result in grades going up, staying the same, or going down — discuss with your teacher before requesting one.

Are these grade boundaries official?

These boundaries reflect typical patterns from published IB Subject Reports across recent May sessions. The IB does not publish a single public boundary PDF — definitive thresholds are released to schools through the IB Coordinator portal after each session. Treat these figures as a reference band; your IB Coordinator has the official numbers.

What is the difference between a grade threshold and a grade boundary?

The terms are used interchangeably. A grade threshold (Cambridge terminology) or grade boundary (AQA/Edexcel terminology) is the minimum raw mark needed to achieve a particular grade in that examination series.

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