IB subject statistics
IB Hindi 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 Hindi B students averaged 5.2 at HL (276 students) and 5.7 at SL (1,651). 4.0% of HL and 12.4% of SL students scored a 7, and the most common grade at both levels was 6.
This page summarises how candidates performed in IB Hindi B in the May 2026 session. The figures come from the IB's official statistical bulletin for that session, which is provisional; a final version follows later in the year, so small adjustments are possible.
In May 2026, 276 candidates sat Hindi B at Higher Level (HL) and 1,651 at Standard Level (SL). The mean grade was 5.2 at HL and 5.7 at SL.
Key figures
| Level | Students | Mean grade | Share of 7s | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HL | 276 | 5.2 | 4.0% | -0.1 |
| SL | 1,651 | 5.7 | 12.4% | no change |
Grade distribution, May 2026
| Grade | Higher Level | Standard Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| 3 | 3.3% | 0.7% |
| 4 | 19.6% | 4.1% |
| 5 | 34.1% | 27.4% |
| 6 | 38.4% | 55.2% |
| 7 | 4.0% | 12.4% |
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What the mean grades say about scoring
Both levels have a mean above grade 5 (5.2 at HL and 5.7 at SL), so a typical Hindi B candidate finishes around grade 5 or 6. Very low grades are rare. At HL, 0% of candidates received a grade 1 or 2 and 3.3% received a grade 3. At SL, 0% received a grade 1, 0.1% a grade 2 and 0.7% a grade 3. The bulk of the results sit between grades 4 and 6, and the percentages are shares of all candidates, so any remainder is candidates with no grade awarded.
HL compared with SL
The two levels are distributed differently. At HL the shares are 19.6% at grade 4, 34.1% at grade 5 and 38.4% at grade 6, with 4% at grade 7. At SL the shares are 4.1% at grade 4, 27.4% at grade 5 and 55.2% at grade 6, with 12.4% at grade 7. So more than half of all SL candidates received a grade 6, while grade 6 is the largest single band at HL without reaching half. The SL share at grade 7 (12.4%) is higher than the HL share (4%), and the SL share at grade 4 is much smaller. These are shares, not head counts: SL has far more candidates in total. The gap could reflect who chooses each level, for example different language backgrounds or prior experience with Hindi, but the bulletin does not tell us the reasons.
Change since May 2025
Compared with May 2025, results look very stable. The SL mean was 5.7 in May 2025 and is 5.7 in May 2026. The HL mean moved slightly from 5.3 in May 2025 to 5.2 in May 2026. A change that small is within what could happen from one cohort to the next, so it is not a clear sign that the subject became harder or easier.
What this means for choosing and preparing
A mean of 5.7 at SL and 5.2 at HL suggests that grades 5 and 6 are realistic targets for well-prepared candidates, and that a 7 is possible but not typical, especially at HL. A lower HL mean does not mean HL is a worse choice. It may simply reflect a different candidate group and a more demanding course. Choose the level that fits your Hindi skills, your other Higher Level subjects and your university plans. In preparation, the difference between a 5 and a 6 is where most candidates land, so steady practice in all assessed skills and careful work on your weakest area is likely to matter more than chasing a 7 late.
Key takeaways
- May 2026 means: 5.2 at HL (276 candidates) and 5.7 at SL (1,651 candidates).
- Grade 6 is the most common grade at both levels: 38.4% at HL and 55.2% at SL.
- Grade 7 reached 4% of HL and 12.4% of SL candidates.
- Compared with May 2025, the SL mean is unchanged at 5.7 and the HL mean moved from 5.3 to 5.2.
- These are provisional figures; the IB publishes a final version later in the year.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the mean grade in IB Hindi B in May 2026?
- The mean was 5.2 at Higher Level and 5.7 at Standard Level, based on the IB's provisional bulletin for May 2026. In May 2025 the means were 5.3 at HL and 5.7 at SL.
- How many Hindi B candidates scored a 7 in May 2026?
- A grade 7 was awarded to 4% of HL candidates and 12.4% of SL candidates. These are shares of all candidates at each level, not head counts.
- Is Hindi B HL harder than SL?
- The HL mean (5.2) is below the SL mean (5.7), but this does not prove HL is harder. The levels have different candidate groups and course demands, so the gap may reflect several factors.
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