After pass rates, the next statistic IB students obsess over is the average IB score. Social media, school corridors, and group chats quickly fill with comparisons: Is the average high? Is it low? Am I above or below it?
The problem is that the average IB score is one of the most misunderstood IB statistics.
This article explains what the average IB score in 2025 actually was, what “average” really means in a global programme, and why comparing yourself to it is usually unhelpful — and sometimes misleading.
Quick Start Checklist
- What the IB average score measures
- What the 2025 average tells us
- Why “average” is a dangerous comparison
- How students misread this statistic
- What matters far more than the average
What Does the Average IB Score Actually Represent?
The average IB score is calculated by taking the total points earned by all diploma candidates and dividing it by the number of students.
It includes:
- Students from every region
- All subject combinations
- A wide range of school contexts
- Both strong and struggling candidates
This makes it a broad statistical snapshot, not a benchmark for individual success.
What Was the Average IB Score in 2025?
In the May 2025 session, the global average IB score sat at around 30 points, consistent with recent years.
This tells us:
- The IB has maintained stable standards
- The Diploma remains demanding
- Most students cluster in the mid-to-high 20s and low 30s
