Is English A: Language and Literature harder at HL than SL?

The mean grade was 4.8 at HL and 5 at SL in May 2026, and SL had higher shares at grades 6 and 7. This does not prove HL is harder to score in. The groups differ in size and probably in who chooses them, and the courses are not identical.

Did grades change since May 2025?

Only slightly. The HL mean was 4.8 in both May 2025 and May 2026. The SL mean rose from 4.9 in May 2025 to 5 in May 2026. At SL the share of 7s rose from 4.9% to 6.1%; at HL it went from 4.1% to 3.8%.

How common is a grade 7?

A grade 7 was awarded to 3.8% of HL candidates and 6.1% of SL candidates in May 2026, so it is uncommon at either level. Grade 5 was the most common outcome, at 36.3% for HL and 35.9% for SL.

IB subject statistics

IB English A: Language and Literature grade distribution and average grade, May 2026

By Michael Thompson - Head of Teaching Excellence; 15 years as an IB Coordinator

Published 5 October 2026Data: IB Diploma Programme provisional statistical bulletin, May 2026

Short answer: In May 2026, IB English A: Language and Literature students averaged 4.8 at HL (45,440 students) and 5.0 at SL (35,868). 3.8% of HL and 6.1% of SL students scored a 7, and the most common grade at both levels was 5.

English A: Language and Literature is one of the largest subjects in the IB, with 45,440 Higher Level (HL) and 35,868 Standard Level (SL) candidates in May 2026. This page interprets the figures from the IB's official statistical bulletin for that session.

The May 2026 figures come from the IB's provisional bulletin, and a final version will follow later in the year, so small adjustments are possible. Below we look at how the grades are spread, how HL and SL differ, and how the results compare with May 2025.

Key figures

Level	Students	Mean grade	Share of 7s	vs May 2025
HL	45,440	4.8	3.8%	no change
SL	35,868	5.0	6.1%	+0.1

Grade distribution, May 2026

Grade distribution, May 2026
Grade	Higher Level	Standard Level
1	0.0%	0.1%
2	1.1%	1.7%
3	8.6%	7.0%
4	25.5%	20.9%
5	36.3%	35.9%
6	21.9%	24.9%
7	3.8%	6.1%

Grade 1-7, % of studentsHigher LevelStandard Level

Aiming for a 6 or 7 in English A: Language and Literature?English A: Language and Literature tutoring

What the grade distribution says about scoring

At both levels the distribution is centred on grade 5. At HL, grade 5 was awarded to 36.3% of candidates, followed by grade 4 at 25.5%. At SL, grade 5 was awarded to 35.9%, followed by grade 6 at 24.9% and grade 4 at 20.9%. Grades 4 and 5 together account for more than half of all candidates at each level. The extremes are rare. At HL, 1.1% received grade 2 and virtually none received grade 1. At SL, 1.7% received grade 2 and 0.1% received grade 1. This is a subject where most candidates land in the middle-to-upper band, and where a very low grade is uncommon. Percentages are shares of all candidates, and a small remainder did not receive a grade.

HL compared with SL

The mean grade was 4.8 at HL and 5 at SL, so SL was slightly higher. The SL distribution is shifted towards the top: 24.9% of SL candidates received grade 6 against 21.9% at HL, and 6.1% received grade 7 against 3.8%. At the lower end, HL had more candidates on grade 3 (8.6% against 7%) and on grade 4 (25.5% against 20.9%). These are comparisons of shares, not head counts, and HL is the larger group. The gap may reflect who chooses each level, how the two courses are assessed, or both. The data cannot tell us which. It is therefore not evidence that SL is easier.

Change compared with May 2025

At HL the mean grade was 4.8 in May 2026 and also 4.8 in May 2025, so it was unchanged. At SL the mean moved from 4.9 in May 2025 to 5 in May 2026, a small rise. At HL the shape barely changed, while at SL the share of 7s rose from 4.9% to 6.1% and grade 4 fell from 24% to 20.9%. One session-to-session shift in a mean is a limited signal. It is best read as stability, with a slight upward move at SL.

What this means for subject choice and preparation

Because grades cluster around 5, a solid result is realistic for most candidates, but a grade 7 is uncommon: 3.8% at HL and 6.1% at SL. Candidates aiming for the top grades should plan for consistent, well-argued analytical writing. When choosing between levels, the grade tables should matter less than your strengths and your university requirements. HL gives more depth, and its slightly lower mean may partly reflect the greater demands of the course. For context, the session-wide mean diploma total was 30.9 points, but that figure covers all subjects and says nothing specific about this one.

Key takeaways

Grade 5 is the most common grade at both levels: 36.3% at HL and 35.9% at SL.
The mean grade was 4.8 at HL and 5 at SL in May 2026.
Grade 7 was awarded to 3.8% of HL and 6.1% of SL candidates.
Compared with May 2025, the HL mean stayed at 4.8, while the SL mean rose from 4.9 to 5.
The May 2026 figures are provisional and may change in the final bulletin.

Frequently asked questions

Is English A: Language and Literature harder at HL than SL?: The mean grade was 4.8 at HL and 5 at SL in May 2026, and SL had higher shares at grades 6 and 7. This does not prove HL is harder to score in. The groups differ in size and probably in who chooses them, and the courses are not identical.
Did grades change since May 2025?: Only slightly. The HL mean was 4.8 in both May 2025 and May 2026. The SL mean rose from 4.9 in May 2025 to 5 in May 2026. At SL the share of 7s rose from 4.9% to 6.1%; at HL it went from 4.1% to 3.8%.
How common is a grade 7?: A grade 7 was awarded to 3.8% of HL candidates and 6.1% of SL candidates in May 2026, so it is uncommon at either level. Grade 5 was the most common outcome, at 36.3% for HL and 35.9% for SL.