Many families first see IB points on a report and read them as a percentage, or assume anything under 40 is a poor result. Neither is quite right. IB points are a total out of 45, and that total says more about the shape of a student's results than a single percentage would.
In short, 24 is the minimum total for an IB Diploma, but only if the other conditions are also met. 35 is a solid result, and 40 is a strong one that keeps most university doors open. Each total only makes sense next to the individual subject grades and the core behind it.
How the 45-point IB total is built
The total has two parts. Each of your child's six subjects is graded from 1 to 7, where 7 is the top grade, which gives a maximum of 42. The remaining 3 points come from the core: Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay, combined through the IB grade matrix and graded from A to E.
- Six subjects: each graded 1 to 7, up to 42 points
- Core (TOK and Extended Essay): up to 3 bonus points
- Total: out of 45, rounded in the way the IB publishes each year
Why 24 is a threshold, not a target
A total of 24 is the lowest score that can lead to a Diploma, and it is easy to read it as a finish line. The rules also look at individual grades, core performance and completion of the other requirements. A student with a 24 and a weak subject, or a poor core result, can still fall short. Treat 24 as the floor, and aim well above it.
What 35 and 40 tell you, and what they don't
A 35 is a respectable total that shows consistent work across subjects. A 40 signals strong performance across the board. Even so, a single total cannot tell admissions teams everything. Many courses ask for particular subject grades at higher levels, so a family should check the entry requirements of the specific universities and courses on their list.
Two students can both reach 40 in different ways. One may have three 6s and a 7, with a solid core. Another may have one 7 and several 5s. The first profile is usually the stronger base for demanding courses, because the grades are even and the core is secure. This is why we look at the pattern, not only the sum.
Turning a points target into a term-by-term plan
Working backwards from a target score is the most useful exercise a family can do. Start with the total the student is aiming for, then look at which subjects would need to move from a 5 to a 6, or a 6 to a 7. Those gaps usually sit in one or two subjects, and that is where the effort should go.
Our teachers align each session to the published assessment criteria for the subject, so that students practise the command terms and mark-scheme habits examiners reward. Batches stay small, at four to eight students, which means a teacher can spot a weak topic early. We begin with a short diagnostic and a per-subject plan, then use weekly worksheets, monthly mocks and regular parent updates to check progress against that plan. Students who are still building the habits behind this work can start with our IB MYP tuition programme, and those preparing for past papers can use RevisionPrep, our online IB question bank with 150,000+ IB-style questions and progress analytics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 24 points enough to get an IB Diploma?
24 is the minimum total, but a Diploma also depends on individual subject grades and core performance, and on completing the other requirements. A student can reach 24 and still miss out. At INACADEMICS, we track each subject and the core against the grade boundaries, so a student knows early whether the total is at risk and can adjust the plan.
Is a score out of 45 comparable to a percentage?
No. A total of 40 out of 45 is not the same as 40 percent. The points are a sum of subject grades and core points, so the same total can come from very different profiles. Reading the individual grades alongside the total gives a far clearer picture of where a student stands.
Should my child aim for 40 points?
That depends on the courses your child is considering. Some universities ask for specific subject grades rather than a fixed total, so the right target is the one set by the programmes on your shortlist. Aim for a total that matches those entry requirements, and make sure the subject grades behind it are secure.
When should we start planning for IB points?
Earlier is better, because grades in the Diploma years are built on habits formed in the years before. Students who learn to read command terms and apply assessment criteria from the MYP years usually find the Diploma less of a jump. Families who want to talk through timing can call or message us on WhatsApp.
IB points are easiest to plan for when you read them as a pattern rather than a single number. If you would like a free counselling conversation about your child's subjects and target total, call or WhatsApp us on +91 9014010410, or visit us at 117, 1st Floor, Raichandani Business Bay, above Karachi Bakery, Kokapet. You can also read more guides in our blog before you decide.