Enter your three HL and three SL subject grades plus your TOK and Extended Essay grades to get your IB total out of 45 and check the official diploma conditions.
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| HL 6/5/5, SL 7/6/5, TOK A, EE A | 37 / 45 — HL 16, SL 18, core 3, conditions met |
| HL 5/5/4, SL 6/5/5, TOK B, EE A | 33 / 45 — HL 14, SL 16, core 3, conditions met |
| HL 4/4/3, SL 5/4/4, TOK B, EE C | 26 / 45 — HL 11, below the 12-point HL minimum |
| HL 7/6/5, SL 6/5/4, TOK C, EE E | 33 / 45 with 0 core — an E in the EE is a failing condition |
The six subject grades above give a total out of 42. The remaining three points come from the core: Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay are each graded A to E (not 1–7), and the two letters are combined through the official IB matrix. CAS adds no points — it is graded as complete or not complete by your school.
Find your TOK grade in the left column and your EE grade across the top. This is the matrix the IB itself publishes — it is not an approximation.
| TOK ↓ / EE → | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Failing condition |
| B | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Failing condition |
| C | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Failing condition |
| D | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Failing condition |
| E | Failing condition for the diploma in every combination | ||||
An E in either TOK or the Extended Essay is a failing condition for the whole diploma — not merely zero points. A candidate can total 38 and still not be awarded the diploma if one of the core components is graded E.
Clearing 24 points is necessary but nowhere near sufficient. The IB's published award conditions are all of the following:
| # | Condition |
|---|---|
| 1 | At least 24 points in total |
| 2 | A grade awarded in all six subjects, plus TOK and the EE |
| 3 | At least a grade 2 in every subject — a single grade 1 fails the diploma |
| 4 | No more than two grade 2s across SL and HL |
| 5 | No more than three grades of 3 or below across SL and HL |
| 6 | At least 12 points across the three HL subjects (with four HL, the three highest count) |
| 7 | At least 9 points across the three SL subjects (with only two SL, at least 5) |
| 8 | No grade E in TOK or the Extended Essay |
| 9 | CAS requirements completed |
Six subjects × 7 points = 42, plus up to 3 core points. SL and HL are worth the same per point — a 6 at Standard Level contributes exactly as much to the total as a 6 at Higher Level. The difference is that HL subjects carry more content and are usually required by universities for specific courses, which is why offers are often written as "HL Chemistry 6" rather than a total.
The global average diploma score sits around 30–31 points, with roughly 4–5% of candidates reaching 40 or more. Bear in mind that the conditions above mean a candidate with 28 points, no grade 1, healthy HL and SL subtotals and a completed CAS earns the diploma — while a candidate with 33 points and an E in the Extended Essay does not.
Add the six subject grades (each 1–7, giving a maximum of 42) and then add the core points from the TOK/Extended Essay matrix (0–3). The maximum is 45. Higher Level and Standard Level subjects contribute equally per point.
Not on its own. 24 points is only the first condition. You also need no grade 1, no more than two grade 2s, no more than three grades of 3 or below, at least 12 points across HL, at least 9 across SL, no E in TOK or the Extended Essay, and CAS completed. The calculator above checks every one of these.
It is a failing condition for the diploma in every combination, regardless of your subject points. The two core components are graded A–E, and an E in either one ends the diploma — you would receive course results instead.
No. CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) is not graded on any scale and contributes zero points — but its completion is a mandatory condition, so failing to complete it also prevents the diploma from being awarded.
The global average is around 30–31 points. Mid-30s and above is competitive at selective universities; 40+ is roughly the top 4–5% worldwide. Many university offers are written per subject (for example 'HL 6, SL 5') rather than as a total, so check the specific course requirements.
Only the three highest HL grades count toward the 12-point HL condition, and the fourth still contributes its points to your total of 42. Enter your three strongest HL grades in the HL fields above if you are checking the conditions.
Because the conditions are about distribution, not just the total. 24 points spread evenly across subjects with no grade 1 and a clean core satisfies every condition, while 28 points that include a grade 1, three grade 2s, or a low HL subtotal does not.