IB subject statistics
IB Dutch 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 Dutch B students averaged 5.7 at HL (186 students) and 4.9 at SL (434). 19.9% of HL and 5.3% of SL students scored a 7, and the most common grade was 6 at HL and 5 at SL.
This page summarises how IB Dutch B was scored in the May 2026 session, using the IB's official statistical bulletin for that session. The May 2026 figures come from the IB's provisional bulletin, and a final version follows later in the year, so small adjustments are possible.
The subject was taken by 186 candidates at HL and 434 at SL. Below we look at the mean grades, the shape of the grade distributions, the difference between the two levels and the movement since May 2025.
Key figures
| Level | Students | Mean grade | Share of 7s | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HL | 186 | 5.7 | 19.9% | -0.1 |
| SL | 434 | 4.9 | 5.3% | no change |
Grade distribution, May 2026
| Grade | Higher Level | Standard Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2 | 0.0% | 0.9% |
| 3 | 1.1% | 11.3% |
| 4 | 10.2% | 23.5% |
| 5 | 23.1% | 35.5% |
| 6 | 45.7% | 23.5% |
| 7 | 19.9% | 5.3% |
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Mean grade and what it says about scoring
The mean grade in May 2026 was 5.7 at HL and 4.9 at SL. Both levels sit comfortably above the middle of the 1-7 scale, so Dutch B is not a subject where grades cluster at the bottom. The gap between the levels is clear: the HL mean sits close to a grade 6, while the SL mean sits a little under a grade 5.
Grade distribution at HL and SL
At HL, grade 6 was the largest single share at 45.7% of candidates, followed by grade 5 at 23.1% and grade 7 at 19.9%. Grade 4 accounted for 10.2%, grade 3 for 1.1%, and no candidates received a grade 1 or 2. At SL the picture is centred lower: grade 5 was the largest share at 35.5%, with grades 4 and 6 each at 23.5%. Grade 3 reached 11.3%, grade 2 reached 0.9%, there were no grade 1s, and grade 7 was awarded to 5.3%. These shares are percentages within each level, so they compare how the two groups were spread, not how many candidates there were. The HL grade 7 share of 19.9% is far above the SL share of 5.3%. One possible reason is that HL candidates may be more likely to have strong prior Dutch exposure, but the bulletin does not tell us who chooses which level.
Change compared with May 2025
At HL the mean grade moved from 5.8 in May 2025 to 5.7 in May 2026, a slight dip. At SL the mean was 4.9 in both sessions, so it was unchanged. With cohorts of this size, small movements in a mean can reflect who happened to sit the exam rather than any real change in difficulty, so we would not read much into the HL difference.
What this means for subject choice and preparation
Dutch B at SL has a wide spread, from grade 2 to grade 7, with most of the weight on grades 4 to 6, so steady work on all language skills clearly matters. At HL the results are concentrated on grades 5 to 7, and 19.9% of candidates reached a 7. If Dutch is already a language you use regularly, HL may be worth considering, though your own teacher can judge fit better than a mean grade can. If you are newer to the language, the SL distribution shows that solid grades are achievable with consistent practice in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Key takeaways
- May 2026 mean grades: 5.7 at HL (186 candidates) and 4.9 at SL (434 candidates).
- HL results are concentrated at the top: 45.7% scored a grade 6 and 19.9% a grade 7.
- SL is centred on grade 5 (35.5%), with a grade 7 share of 5.3%.
- Compared with May 2025, the HL mean moved from 5.8 to 5.7 and the SL mean stayed at 4.9.
- The May 2026 figures are provisional; the IB will publish a final version later in the year.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the mean grade in IB Dutch B in May 2026?
- The mean was 5.7 at HL and 4.9 at SL, according to the IB's provisional bulletin for May 2026. HL had 186 candidates and SL had 434.
- How many candidates scored a grade 7 in Dutch B?
- In May 2026, 19.9% of HL candidates and 5.3% of SL candidates received a grade 7. These are shares within each level, not head counts.
- Did Dutch B grades change since May 2025?
- Only slightly. The HL mean went from 5.8 in May 2025 to 5.7 in May 2026, while the SL mean stayed at 4.9. With cohorts this size, small shifts may simply reflect who sat the exam.
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