IB subject statistics
IB Chinese 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 Chinese B students averaged 6.0 at HL (1,002 students) and 5.7 at SL (3,214). 33.6% of HL and 34.0% of SL students scored a 7, and the most common grade was 6 at HL and 7 at SL.
This page summarises results for IB Chinese B in the May 2026 session. The data comes from the IB's official statistical bulletin for that session. The May 2026 figures are from the provisional bulletin, and a final version follows later in the year, so small revisions are possible.
In May 2026, 1,002 candidates sat Chinese B at HL and 3,214 at SL. The mean grade was 6 at HL and 5.7 at SL, and both are identical to May 2025.
Key figures
| Level | Students | Mean grade | Share of 7s | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HL | 1,002 | 6.0 | 33.6% | no change |
| SL | 3,214 | 5.7 | 34.0% | no change |
Grade distribution, May 2026
| Grade | Higher Level | Standard Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2 | 0.3% | 0.9% |
| 3 | 2.5% | 4.9% |
| 4 | 5.0% | 13.3% |
| 5 | 14.9% | 18.4% |
| 6 | 43.2% | 27.7% |
| 7 | 33.6% | 34.0% |
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How the subject is scored: a top-heavy distribution
Chinese B grades cluster at the upper end. At SL, 34% of candidates received a grade 7 and 27.7% a grade 6, so grades 6 and 7 together cover well over half of all candidates. At HL the pattern is stronger: 43.2% received a grade 6 and 33.6% a grade 7. Grades 1 and 2 are very rare at both levels. The shares are percentages of all candidates, and they add up to slightly less than the full total because a small remainder received no grade.
HL compared with SL
HL has the higher mean grade (6 against 5.7), and the distribution shows where the gap comes from. HL has fewer candidates in the lower middle: 5% received a grade 4 and 2.5% a grade 3, against 13.3% and 4.9% at SL. Grade 5 is also less common at HL (14.9%) than at SL (18.4%). At the very top the two levels are close, with 34% of SL candidates and 33.6% of HL candidates receiving a 7. The higher HL mean therefore comes mainly from the large share of 6s and the thin lower tail, not from more 7s. These are shares, not head counts, and SL has roughly three times as many candidates. Why HL looks stronger is not something the bulletin explains. One possibility is that candidates who choose HL already have strong exposure to the language.
Change since May 2025
The mean grade did not move at either level: HL stayed at 6 and SL at 5.7 compared with May 2025. The data gives no sign of a shift in how the subject was scored between the two May sessions. The grade shares moved only slightly as well: the share of 7s went from 35% to 33.6% at HL and from 34.7% to 34% at SL. The session-wide diploma mean of 30.9 points covers all subjects and says nothing about Chinese B in particular.
What this means for subject choice and preparation
A mean of 5.7 at SL and 6 at HL suggests that candidates who commit to Chinese B often score well. That does not mean the subject is easy, since the results may reflect candidates' language backgrounds and prior study. For a learner with solid prior Chinese, HL offers a realistic route to a 6 or 7. For a candidate who is newer to the language, the SL spread (13.3% at grade 4, 18.4% at grade 5) is a reminder that mid-range grades are common. Practise all assessed skills regularly rather than relying on strength in one, and work with past-paper style tasks well before the exam. Discuss your own starting level with your teacher before choosing HL or SL.
Key takeaways
- May 2026 mean grades: HL 6 and SL 5.7, both unchanged from May 2025.
- Grades 6 and 7 dominate: 43.2% and 33.6% at HL, 27.7% and 34% at SL.
- HL has fewer grade 3, 4 and 5 results than SL, which helps explain its higher mean.
- The share of 7s is almost the same at both levels: 34% at SL and 33.6% at HL.
- The May 2026 figures are provisional, and the IB will publish a final version later in the year.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the mean grade in IB Chinese B in May 2026?
- The mean grade was 6 at HL and 5.7 at SL. Both figures are the same as in May 2025. The May 2026 numbers come from the IB's provisional bulletin, so they may be revised in the final version.
- Do more HL candidates get a 7 than SL candidates?
- No. In May 2026, 33.6% of HL candidates received a grade 7 against 34% at SL. HL has the higher mean because more of its candidates received a 6 (43.2% against 27.7%) and fewer received a 3, 4 or 5.
- Did Chinese B results change compared with May 2025?
- The mean grades did not change: HL was 6 and SL was 5.7 in both May 2025 and May 2026. The distribution moved only slightly: the share of 7s went from 35% to 33.6% at HL and from 34.7% to 34% at SL.
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