Calculator · KMK formula

Convert IB points to a German Abitur grade

Germany's Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK) converts your IB total into a German grade with N = 1 + 3 × (42 − P) / 18. TOK and EE bonus points count, 42 to 45 points give 1.0 and 24 points give 4.0. The result is cut after the first decimal, never rounded: 38 points is 1.6, not 1.7.

Your IB total

Including TOK and EE bonus points, 24 to 45

German Abitur grade

1.6

from 38 IB points

Add your subjects to check recognition in Germany.

IB Diploma

38 of 45 points

Switzerland

Add subjects to check

Austria (University of Vienna)

Add subjects to check

Your target

1 more point to go

Target 39, you have 38.

IB points to German grade: the full table

Every total from 24 to 45 with the grade the German state sets on your university entrance qualification. The values match the Bavarian state school office's official table.

IB points	German grade
42 to 45	1.0
41	1.1
40	1.3
39	1.5
38	1.6
37	1.8
36	2.0
35	2.1
34	2.3
33	2.5

IB points	German grade
32	2.6
31	2.8
30	3.0
29	3.1
28	3.3
27	3.5
26	3.6
25	3.8
24	4.0

How the KMK calculates it

The formula treats 42 points as the best grade (1.0) and 24 points as the minimum (4.0). In between, every point is worth one sixth of a grade step. P is your total including the up to three bonus points from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. Some sites say the bonus points are taken out; the KMK agreement says the opposite.

Worked example, 37 points: 1 + 3 × 5 / 18 = 1.833…, so 1.8. 38 points gives 1.666…, so 1.6. A calculator that rounds shows 1.7, which is wrong: the KMK states the grade is not rounded.

Single subject grades are not converted. The grade belongs to the whole diploma; there is no per-subject conversion.

The result is the average grade (Durchschnittsnote) of your university entrance qualification. You do not receive an Abitur: your IB Diploma is recognised for university entry, with this grade.

When is the IB recognised in Germany?

The grade only helps if your diploma meets the conditions of the KMK agreement. Since the 2025 exams the version of 15 June 2023 applies:

Two languages at level A or B, one of them a Language A or a Language B at HL. Ab initio, Latin and Classical Greek only count as the sixth subject.
One science: Biology, Chemistry or Physics. ESS, SEHS, Computer science and Design technology do not count here.
Mathematics: Analysis and approaches or Applications and interpretation. Both courses count the same; the level is what matters.
One social science: History, Geography, Economics, Psychology, Philosophy, Social anthropology, Business management or Global politics.
Among the three HL subjects, a language, maths or a science (until the 2024 exams it had to be maths or a science).
At least a 4 in each of the six subjects. One single 3 can be offset by a 5 in another subject at the same or a higher level, with at least 24 points.
All subjects taken for the full two years, without switching between HL and SL, after at least twelve years of school.
German nationals at a school abroad that did not teach German must also prove sufficient German; each state sets the details.

Maths at SL: what stays open in Germany

Maths at HL gives you general university access. Maths at SL (AA or AI) only gives subject-restricted access: maths, science and technology degrees stay closed, for example computer science, engineering, industrial engineering, architecture or geography. The exception is a school listed in Annex 1 or 2 of the KMK agreement.

Still open, according to the Hessen guide: medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, psychology, law, economics, social sciences, humanities, arts and sport.

Where to apply for recognition

The grade and the recognition are set by the certificate recognition office (Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle) of the state you apply in, often within its ministry of education.
Bavaria: for restricted programmes and the 15 July deadline, send your documents to the recognition office by the end of April of your exam year, while the exams are still running. Order your IB Official Transcript to IB code 001613.
uni-assist: your result must be released electronically through IBIS. The school's results summary or a screenshot of the IB candidate page alone is not enough; the IB must release your results to uni-assist. uni-assist advises applying eight weeks before the deadline.
If you do not meet the conditions, the route is an assessment exam at a Studienkolleg or one successful year of university study.

Austria and Switzerland

Austria: the IB Diploma counts as a foreign school-leaving certificate. There is no equivalence check and no grade conversion. The University of Vienna asks for at least 24 points, maths, a foreign language and three HL subjects. An IB Certificate is not enough.

Switzerland: the cantonal universities need 32 of 42 points without bonus points and six subjects from fixed categories; ETH Zurich needs 38 of 42. All the rules: IB requirements at Swiss universities.

Questions about the conversion

How do I convert IB points to a German grade?

With the KMK formula N = 1 + 3 × (42 − P) / 18, where P is your IB total including bonus points. The result is cut after the first decimal. 42 to 45 points give 1.0.

What German grade is 38 IB points?

1.6. The formula gives 1.666…, and the KMK cuts after the first decimal instead of rounding.

Do TOK and EE bonus points count?

Yes. P is the total on your diploma, including up to three bonus points from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.

Is the German grade rounded?

No. The KMK states that the grade is not rounded: further decimals are dropped. So 35 points is 2.1 and 41 points is 1.1.

Is the IB diploma recognized in Germany?

Yes, as a general university entrance qualification, if it meets the KMK conditions: two languages, a science, maths, a social science, an HL rule and at least a 4 in every subject. With maths at SL the access is restricted to non-STEM degrees unless your school is on the KMK list.

Is maths SL enough for a STEM degree in Germany?

Usually not. Maths SL (AA or AI) gives subject-restricted access without maths, science and technology degrees, unless your school is in Annex 1 or 2 of the KMK agreement. Medicine, pharmacy, psychology, law and economics stay open.

Does the conversion apply in Austria and Switzerland?

No. Austria does not convert the IB into a grade, and Switzerland uses its own minimums without bonus points: 32 of 42 at the cantonal universities and 38 at ETH Zurich.

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Sources

Last checked 4 November 2026.