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Just starting out your IB journey and heard the term 'predicted grades'? Unsure what they really are and how they differ from actual IB grades? Worry no more! In this post we'll explain these two types of grades IB students receive and explain the differences between them.
IB Predicted Grades vs Actual Grades
IB Predicted Grades
What are IB predicted grades?
IB predicted grades are the grades your teachers expect you to achieve in your final IB exams. They are based on your performance throughout the course.
Why are predicted grades important?
Predicted grades are crucial because they are a key part of your university applications and play a major role in determining whether you receive offers. All UK universities, along with many European universities, consider predicted scores when making their decisions.
Even if your chosen universities don’t factor them in, your predicted scores can still help you identify your strengths and highlight areas where you need to improve for your final exams.
When are predicted grades released?
Although there’s no official deadline for releasing predicted grades, most schools provide them around three months into DP2, as this aligns with the period when students begin submitting their university applications.
How are IB predicted grades determined?
IB predicted grades are determined based on the following:
- Internal Class Tests: Regular class tests help teachers assess your ongoing grasp of the material.
- Mock Exams: Mock exams are often given considerable weight, as they reflect the actual IB exam conditions.
- Internal Assessment (IA) Drafts: IAs contribute to your final grade and hence IA drafts are also often used by teachers to help them decide on your predicted grade. If you want to ensure you submit a very strong draft that will leave a strong impression on your teacher, make sure to submit it to Clastify's review service where you'll obtain actionable feedback from official IB Examiners.
- Class Participation and Engagement: Active participation in class can positively influence your predicted score.
While there is no strict formula for calculating predicted grades, many schools give extra weight to mock exams, as these more closely resemble the official IB exams. However, it’s also important to note that ultimately predicted grades are also a somewhat subjective decision of your teachers.
IB Actual Grades
What are IB actual grades?
IB actual grades are the final, official results you receive on your diploma – a true reflection of your performance. Unlike predicted grades, which are primarily used for university applications, actual grades represent your true academic performance and are what ultimately matter. Once the official grades are released, predicted grades no longer hold any significance whatsoever, apart from being used by the IB in the process of verifying the accurcay of the actual grades.
Why are actual grades important?
Actual grades are very important because they’re the official results that appear on your IB diploma. They show your real academic performance and can be needed when applying for jobs, internships, or further studies. Universities may use them to check if you’ve met the conditions of your offers, and employers might ask for them during background checks or to understand your academic abilities. Unlike predicted grades, which are only used during the application process and when verifying final grades, actual grades matter in the long run and stay relevant throughout your academic and professional life.
When are actual grades released?
IB actual grades are officially released each year on July 5th, but students gain access to them on the following day, July 6th, around 2 p.m. UK Time. When it comes to the November session, from 2024 and onwards, the results will be released on the 16th of December.
How are IB actual grades determined?
The following make up your actual IB grades:
- End-of-year exams: these usually account for around 70% – 80% of your final grade
- Coursework (Internal Assessments, the EE, TOK): IAs usually account for 20% – 30% of your final grade. The EE and TOK determine your IB Core Points. To maximise your final grade, it’s essential to submit a strong, high-scoring IA. You can have your IA reviewed by an official IB Examiner, who will assess it against the official IB criteria and provide you with personalised, targeted feedback.
We hope you found this post helpful! For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
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