IB subject statistics
IB Indonesian 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 Indonesian B students averaged 5.7 at HL (233 students) and 5.8 at SL (411). 18.9% of HL and 17.8% of SL students scored a 7, and the most common grade at both levels was 6.
This page summarises how candidates performed in IB Indonesian B 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 changes are possible.
The subject had 233 Higher Level (HL) candidates and 411 Standard Level (SL) candidates. Below we look at what the mean grade and the spread of grades suggest, how HL and SL differ, and how results moved compared with May 2025.
Key figures
| Level | Students | Mean grade | Share of 7s | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HL | 233 | 5.7 | 18.9% | -0.2 |
| SL | 411 | 5.8 | 17.8% | -0.1 |
Grade distribution, May 2026
| Grade | Higher Level | Standard Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2 | 0.0% | 0.5% |
| 3 | 1.3% | 0.7% |
| 4 | 11.2% | 7.1% |
| 5 | 24.5% | 23.1% |
| 6 | 44.2% | 50.9% |
| 7 | 18.9% | 17.8% |
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What the mean grade and distribution show
The mean grade was 5.7 at HL and 5.8 at SL. Grade 6 was the most common result at both levels, held by 44.2% of HL candidates and 50.9% of SL candidates. Grade 5 followed at 24.5% (HL) and 23.1% (SL), and grade 7 at 18.9% (HL) and 17.8% (SL). Adding up grades 6 and 7, more than half of the candidates at each level finished in the top two grades. Low grades were rare: at HL, grades 1 and 2 were both at 0%, and grade 3 was 1.3%. At SL, grade 1 was 0%, grade 2 was 0.5% and grade 3 was 0.7%. Together the shares cover essentially the whole cohort at both levels, so almost every candidate received a grade. In practice, results in this subject are clustered in the upper part of the scale, and a 6 is the typical outcome.
HL compared with SL
The two levels are close. SL had a slightly higher mean grade (5.8 against 5.7), while HL had a slightly larger share of 7s (18.9% against 17.8%). HL also had a wider spread towards the lower middle: 11.2% earned a 4, against 7.1% at SL. SL results were more concentrated at grade 6. These are shares of each level's candidates, not head counts, and with 233 HL and 411 SL candidates a few individuals can move a percentage noticeably. Possible explanations include differences in the backgrounds of candidates who choose each level, or in how much prior exposure they have to the language. The data cannot confirm any of these.
Change since May 2025
In May 2025 the mean grade was 5.9 at both HL and SL. In May 2026 it was 5.7 at HL and 5.8 at SL, so both levels slipped slightly, HL a little more than SL. Because the cohorts are fairly small, a movement of this size may reflect a different mix of candidates rather than a real change in how the subject is assessed. The bulletin figures used here do not give May 2025 candidate numbers, so we make no comparison of cohort size.
What this means for choice and preparation
A mean near 5.8 and a large share of 6s suggest that candidates who prepare well can realistically aim for a 6 at either level. A 7 is reachable for a meaningful minority, roughly one candidate in five at HL and slightly fewer at SL. The narrow gap between the levels means the choice should depend on your own language background, your other HL and SL subjects and your university plans, not on an expected grade difference. For preparation, concentrate on consistent written accuracy, range of vocabulary and confident spoken performance, which are sensible areas to work on if you are aiming to move from a 6 to a 7.
Key takeaways
- May 2026 mean grades were 5.7 at HL (233 candidates) and 5.8 at SL (411 candidates).
- Grade 6 was the most common result: 44.2% at HL and 50.9% at SL.
- A grade 7 was earned by 18.9% of HL and 17.8% of SL candidates, while grades 1 to 3 were rare.
- Both levels slipped slightly from a mean of 5.9 in May 2025, but cohorts are small and the May 2026 figures are provisional.
- Base the HL or SL choice on your language background and overall course, not on expected grade differences.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the mean grade in IB Indonesian B in May 2026?
- The mean grade was 5.7 at Higher Level and 5.8 at Standard Level, according to the IB's provisional bulletin for May 2026. In May 2025 it was 5.9 at both levels.
- Is HL Indonesian B scored higher than SL?
- Not on the mean: SL was slightly higher at 5.8 against 5.7. HL had a slightly larger share of grade 7s (18.9% against 17.8%), but also more grade 4s (11.2% against 7.1%).
- How likely is a grade 7 in Indonesian B?
- In May 2026, 18.9% of HL candidates and 17.8% of SL candidates received a 7. Grade 6 was more common, at 44.2% (HL) and 50.9% (SL). Past shares do not guarantee future results.
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