IB subject statistics
IB Arabic B grade distribution and average grade, May 2026
By Michael Thompson - Head of Teaching Excellence; 15 years as an IB Coordinator
Short answer: In May 2026, IB Arabic B students averaged 5.6 at HL (1,285 students) and 5.5 at SL (1,342). 12.8% of HL and 12.3% of SL students scored a 7, and the most common grade at both levels was 6.
This page summarises IB Arabic B results for the May 2026 session, using the IB's official statistical bulletin. The May 2026 figures come from the provisional bulletin, and a final version follows later in the year, so small adjustments are possible.
In May 2026, 1,285 candidates sat Arabic B at Higher Level (HL) and 1,342 at Standard Level (SL). Below we explain what the mean grade and the grade distribution say about how the subject is scored, how the two levels differ, and what changed since May 2025.
Key figures
| Level | Students | Mean grade | Share of 7s | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HL | 1,285 | 5.6 | 12.8% | no change |
| SL | 1,342 | 5.5 | 12.3% | +0.1 |
Grade distribution, May 2026
| Grade | Higher Level | Standard Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| 2 | 0.6% | 1.5% |
| 3 | 1.7% | 3.3% |
| 4 | 11.8% | 9.4% |
| 5 | 26.6% | 30.9% |
| 6 | 46.4% | 42.1% |
| 7 | 12.8% | 12.3% |
Aiming for a 6 or 7 in Arabic B?Get matched with a tutor
What the mean grade tells you
The mean grade was 5.6 at HL and 5.5 at SL. Both sit well above the middle of the 1-7 scale, so Arabic B candidates typically finish with a 5 or a 6. The mean is only a summary, though. It does not show how many candidates land at the top or the bottom, which is why the distribution matters.
How the grades are distributed
All shares here are percentages of all candidates, and a small remainder received no grade. At HL, the grade split was 0% at grade 1, 0.6% at grade 2, 1.7% at grade 3, 11.8% at grade 4, 26.6% at grade 5, 46.4% at grade 6 and 12.8% at grade 7. At SL it was 0.1% at grade 1, 1.5% at grade 2, 3.3% at grade 3, 9.4% at grade 4, 30.9% at grade 5, 42.1% at grade 6 and 12.3% at grade 7. Grade 6 is the single most common outcome at both levels, and grades 6 and 7 together cover more than half of the candidates at each level. Low grades are rare: grades 1 to 3 are all in the low single digits.
HL compared with SL
The two levels look similar. The share earning a 7 was 12.8% at HL and 12.3% at SL. HL has a larger share at grade 6 (46.4% against 42.1%), while SL has a larger share at grade 5 (30.9% against 26.6%). SL also has somewhat larger shares at grades 2 and 3 (1.5% and 3.3%, against 0.6% and 1.7% at HL), whereas HL has a larger share at grade 4 (11.8% against 9.4%). These are comparisons of shares, not head counts. Why they differ is not something the bulletin tells us. Possible factors include differences in who chooses HL, such as candidates with more prior exposure to Arabic, but this is only a possibility.
Change since May 2025
At HL the mean grade was 5.6 in May 2025 and 5.6 in May 2026, so it was unchanged. At SL it rose slightly, from 5.4 in May 2025 to 5.5 in May 2026. A shift of this size is small, and the mean alone cannot show whether it reflects a different cohort, different papers or something else. We would treat both levels as stable year on year.
What this means for choosing and preparing
The results suggest that Arabic B is a subject where good outcomes are common, but they do not mean it is easy. Many candidates may come to it with a strong starting point in the language, which could help explain the high means, though the bulletin does not show this. If you are weighing HL against SL, think about your own current level and how much time you can give the language, rather than relying on a gap of 0.1 in the mean. For preparation, the grade 6 and 7 shares show that a high result is realistic, and the push from a 5 to a 6 is where many candidates sit. Regular practice across all assessed skills is the sensible aim.
Key takeaways
- May 2026 mean grade: 5.6 at HL (1,285 candidates) and 5.5 at SL (1,342 candidates).
- Grade 6 is the most common outcome at both levels: 46.4% at HL and 42.1% at SL.
- The share earning a 7 is close across levels: 12.8% at HL and 12.3% at SL.
- Compared with May 2025, HL stayed at 5.6 and SL moved from 5.4 to 5.5.
- The May 2026 figures are provisional; the IB will publish a final version later in the year.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Arabic B HL harder than SL based on these results?
- The results do not show that. The mean grades are close (5.6 at HL, 5.5 at SL) and the share of 7s is similar (12.8% and 12.3%). The two groups of candidates may differ, so the figures say little about difficulty.
- How did Arabic B change compared with May 2025?
- The HL mean grade was 5.6 in both May 2025 and May 2026. The SL mean grade moved from 5.4 in May 2025 to 5.5 in May 2026, a small rise.
- Are the May 2026 figures final?
- No. They come from the IB's provisional bulletin for May 2026. A final version follows later in the year, so some figures may be adjusted slightly.
Other subjects
More IB statistics
- IB results May 2026: points, pass rate and score distribution
- What is a good IB score? Percentiles from May 2026
- How hard is a 7 in the IB? Share of 7s by subject, May 2026
- How rare are 40+ IB points? May 2026 share and trend
- IB diploma pass rate explained: May 2026 results and trends
- How IB grade boundaries work: who sets them and why they move
- Average IB score over time: May and November sessions
- IB results May 2025: average score, pass rate and statistics