Is Global Politics scored harder at HL or SL?

The data show a mean grade of 5 at HL and 4.7 at SL in May 2026, with a higher share of grade 6 and 7 at HL. That does not prove that one level is easier, because the candidate groups may differ in many ways.

Did Global Politics grades change from May 2025?

Only slightly. The HL mean was 5.1 in May 2025 and 5 in May 2026. The SL mean was 4.7 in both sessions.

Are these May 2026 figures final?

No. They come from the IB's provisional bulletin for May 2026. A final version follows later in the year, and some figures could be adjusted.

IB subject statistics

IB Global Politics 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 Global Politics students averaged 5.0 at HL (6,894 students) and 4.7 at SL (4,602). 6.1% of HL and 4.1% of SL students scored a 7, and the most common grade at both levels was 5.

This page summarises how candidates performed in IB Global Politics in the May 2026 session. The figures come from the IB's official statistical bulletin for that session. They are from the provisional bulletin, and a final version follows later in the year, so small adjustments are possible.

In May 2026 there were 6,894 Higher Level (HL) candidates and 4,602 Standard Level (SL) candidates. Below we look at the mean grades, the spread of grades at each level, the movement since May 2025 and what this could mean for choosing and preparing the subject.

Key figures

Level	Students	Mean grade	Share of 7s	vs May 2025
HL	6,894	5.0	6.1%	-0.1
SL	4,602	4.7	4.1%	no change

Grade distribution, May 2026

Grade distribution, May 2026
Grade	Higher Level	Standard Level
1	0.2%	0.2%
2	1.5%	1.9%
3	4.7%	10.6%
4	22.4%	28.2%
5	34.2%	30.1%
6	29.3%	19.3%
7	6.1%	4.1%

Grade 1-7, % of studentsHigher LevelStandard Level

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What the mean grades say

The mean grade was 5 at HL and 4.7 at SL. Both sit in the upper middle of the 1-7 scale, so Global Politics is not a subject where a typical candidate ends up near the bottom. The gap between the levels is modest. HL candidates averaged a little above SL candidates, but the two distributions overlap heavily, as the next section shows.

How grades are distributed at HL and SL

At HL, the shares of all candidates were 0.2% for grade 1, 1.5% for grade 2, 4.7% for grade 3, 22.4% for grade 4, 34.2% for grade 5, 29.3% for grade 6 and 6.1% for grade 7. At SL they were 0.2%, 1.9%, 10.6%, 28.2%, 30.1%, 19.3% and 4.1% for grades 1 to 7. Grade 5 was the most common grade at both levels. Adding grades 5, 6 and 7 together gives well over half of HL candidates and just over half of SL candidates. The main difference is in the middle and top: SL has a larger share at grades 3 and 4, while HL has a larger share at grade 6. The share of grade 7 was 6.1% at HL and 4.1% at SL. These are shares of each level, not head counts, and the remainder of candidates received no grade. One possible reason for the HL advantage is that HL students may choose the subject out of strong interest and may already be confident writers, but the data cannot confirm this.

Change since May 2025

The HL mean grade was 5 in May 2026, compared with 5.1 in May 2025, a slight dip. The SL mean grade was 4.7 in both sessions, so it did not move. Changes of this size are small and can come from the make-up of a single cohort rather than from any change in how the subject is assessed. We would not read a trend into one comparison of May 2026 with May 2025.

What this means for choosing and preparing

The distributions suggest that a grade 5 or 6 is a realistic target for many candidates, while a grade 7 is reached by a small minority at either level. At SL, a larger share of candidates finished on a 3 or 4 than at HL. Weak essay structure or thin case-study knowledge can cost marks, so regular timed writing and a bank of well-learned real-world examples are sensible habits. HL students should plan for the extra demands of the course and use the full teaching time. Bear in mind that the figures describe past candidates, not what you will achieve, and that the May 2026 figures are provisional.

Key takeaways

Mean grade in May 2026: 5 at HL and 4.7 at SL.
Grade 5 was the most common grade at both levels: 34.2% at HL and 30.1% at SL.
Grade 7 was awarded to 6.1% of HL candidates and 4.1% of SL candidates.
Compared with May 2025, the HL mean moved from 5.1 to 5 and the SL mean stayed at 4.7.
The May 2026 figures are provisional and may change in the final bulletin.

Frequently asked questions

Is Global Politics scored harder at HL or SL?: The data show a mean grade of 5 at HL and 4.7 at SL in May 2026, with a higher share of grade 6 and 7 at HL. That does not prove that one level is easier, because the candidate groups may differ in many ways.
Did Global Politics grades change from May 2025?: Only slightly. The HL mean was 5.1 in May 2025 and 5 in May 2026. The SL mean was 4.7 in both sessions.
Are these May 2026 figures final?: No. They come from the IB's provisional bulletin for May 2026. A final version follows later in the year, and some figures could be adjusted.