IB subject statistics
IB Japanese 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 Japanese B students averaged 6.0 at HL (143 students) and 5.0 at SL (457). 44.8% of HL and 19.5% of SL students scored a 7, and the most common grade was 7 at HL and 4 at SL.
This page looks at IB Japanese B in the May 2026 session, using the IB's official statistical bulletin for that session. The May 2026 figures come from the provisional bulletin; a final version follows later in the year, so small details may change.
Japanese B was taken by 143 candidates at HL and 457 at SL. Below we explain what the mean grades and grade distributions suggest about how the subject is scored, how HL and SL differ, and how both levels compare with May 2025.
Key figures
| Level | Students | Mean grade | Share of 7s | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HL | 143 | 6.0 | 44.8% | -0.2 |
| SL | 457 | 5.0 | 19.5% | -0.1 |
Grade distribution, May 2026
| Grade | Higher Level | Standard Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2 | 0.7% | 3.1% |
| 3 | 3.5% | 12.7% |
| 4 | 6.3% | 24.5% |
| 5 | 14.7% | 17.1% |
| 6 | 29.4% | 22.3% |
| 7 | 44.8% | 19.5% |
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What the mean grades say
The mean grade in May 2026 was 6 at HL and 5 at SL. Both are comfortably above the middle of the 1 to 7 scale, which suggests that candidates who take Japanese B tend to score well. Who sits the subject may matter here: many candidates may already have substantial Japanese at home or at school. That is a possible explanation, not something the bulletin shows. The gap of one grade between the levels is clear, but it compares two differently composed groups, so it does not say that HL is easier or SL harder.
HL and SL grade distributions
At HL, the distribution is weighted towards the top. Grade 7 was awarded to 44.8% of candidates and grade 6 to 29.4%, so grades 6 and 7 together cover a large majority of the HL cohort. Grade 5 followed with 14.7%, grade 4 with 6.3%, grade 3 with 3.5% and grade 2 with 0.7%. Grade 1 stood at 0%. At SL the picture is flatter. Grade 4 was the most common single grade at 24.5%, followed by grade 6 at 22.3% and grade 7 at 19.5%. Grade 5 took 17.1%, grade 3 took 12.7% and grade 2 took 3.1%. Grade 1 was again 0%. A grade 7 was therefore much more common at HL (44.8%) than at SL (19.5%). These are shares of each level's candidates, not head counts, and the SL cohort is more than three times larger in number.
Movement since May 2025
Both levels moved down slightly against May 2025. The HL mean grade went from 6.2 in May 2025 to 6 in May 2026. The SL mean went from 5.1 to 5. With cohorts of this size, a shift of this scale is modest and should be read with caution. It is better seen as a stable pattern than as a sign that the subject has become harder or easier. The provisional status of the May 2026 data is a further reason not to over-interpret it.
What this means for choosing and preparing
For subject choice, the figures suggest that Japanese B can reward strong preparation at both levels, with HL results clustered at 6 and 7 and SL results spread more widely from grade 3 to grade 7. A candidate who is secure in the language and comfortable with extended writing and discussion may find HL a realistic target. A candidate building up their Japanese may find SL the better fit. For preparation, consistent practice across all skills can shift a result by a grade or more, while HL candidates may need to focus on accuracy and range to secure the top grades. Your teacher's assessment of your current level should carry more weight than any single session's averages.
Key takeaways
- May 2026 mean grades were 6 at HL and 5 at SL, based on the provisional bulletin.
- Grade 7 was awarded to 44.8% of HL candidates and 19.5% of SL candidates.
- HL results are concentrated at grades 6 and 7, while SL results spread across grades 3 to 7, with grade 4 the most common at 24.5%.
- Compared with May 2025, the HL mean moved from 6.2 to 6 and the SL mean from 5.1 to 5, a modest shift.
Frequently asked questions
- Is HL Japanese B scored more generously than SL?
- The data cannot show that. HL had a mean grade of 6 against 5 at SL, and 44.8% of HL candidates received a 7 against 19.5% at SL. But the two groups may differ in background and preparation, so the gap may partly reflect who takes each level rather than how it is scored.
- Did Japanese B results change since May 2025?
- Slightly. The HL mean grade moved from 6.2 in May 2025 to 6 in May 2026, and the SL mean from 5.1 to 5. With cohorts of 143 at HL and 457 at SL, and provisional May 2026 data, this is a small movement.
- Are the 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 may change slightly.
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