IB subject statistics
IB Literature and Performance 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 Literature and Performance students averaged 5.0 at SL (616 students). 5.5% scored a 7, and the most common grade was 5.
This page summarises results for IB Literature and Performance in the May 2026 session. The figures come from the IB's official statistical bulletin for that session. They are provisional, and a final version of the bulletin follows later in the year.
In May 2026, 616 candidates were graded at SL, with a mean grade of 5. Below we look at how the grades are spread, what is and is not known about HL, how the mean compares with May 2025, and what this suggests for choosing and preparing the subject.
Key figures
| Level | Students | Mean grade | Share of 7s | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL | 616 | 5.0 | 5.5% | +0.3 |
Grade distribution, May 2026
| Grade | Standard Level |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0% |
| 2 | 0.8% |
| 3 | 9.4% |
| 4 | 20.3% |
| 5 | 31.2% |
| 6 | 30.8% |
| 7 | 5.5% |
Aiming for a 6 or 7 in Literature and Performance?Get matched with a tutor
What the mean grade and distribution show
A mean grade of 5 places the typical SL result in the upper middle of the scale. The distribution supports this. Grade 5 was awarded to 31.2% of candidates and grade 6 to 30.8%, so these two grades sit almost level and, taken together, cover clearly more than half of all candidates. Grade 4 followed with 20.3%, and grade 3 with 9.4%. Only 0.8% received a 2, and none received a 1. These percentages are shares of all candidates, and the small remainder received no grade.
The top of the scale
Grade 7 was awarded to 5.5% of SL candidates. That is far fewer than the shares at grades 5 and 6, so a 7 is achievable but not the norm. The bulk of the cohort lands at 5 or 6, which suggests that a strong, consistent performance across the assessed components is what separates a 6 from a 5, and that a 7 needs something extra on top of that.
HL versus SL
The May 2026 bulletin lists Literature and Performance at SL only. There is no HL row, so the level was either not offered or not reported, and no HL and SL comparison is possible. Any claim about how HL candidates fared would be invented. Literature and Performance is an SL-only course, so there is no HL option to weigh up.
Change compared with May 2025
The SL mean grade was 4.7 in May 2025 and is 5 in May 2026, a modest rise. With a cohort of 616 candidates, a shift of this size could reflect the particular group of students, their schools or their preparation, as well as any change in how the subject is taught. One session alone does not establish a trend. For context only, the diploma-wide mean total for the whole May 2026 session was 30.9 points, including core points. This says nothing about this subject specifically.
What this means for choice and preparation
The spread of results suggests the subject rewards steady work: most candidates reach grade 5 or 6, and few fall to 3 or below. It combines literary analysis with performance elements, so it may suit students who are comfortable with both written and practical work. Practise the assessed tasks early, get regular feedback on your analysis, and plan your time so the performance work is not squeezed by other deadlines.
Key takeaways
- SL mean grade in May 2026 was 5, from 616 candidates.
- Grades 5 and 6 were almost level, at 31.2% and 30.8%, and grade 7 was awarded to 5.5%.
- No HL result appears in the May 2026 bulletin, so there is no HL and SL comparison.
- The SL mean rose from 4.7 in May 2025 to 5 in May 2026, but one session is not a trend.
- These figures are provisional and may be updated in the final bulletin.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the mean grade in IB Literature and Performance in May 2026?
- The SL mean grade was 5, based on 616 candidates in the provisional bulletin. In May 2025 the SL mean was 4.7.
- Is there an HL result for Literature and Performance?
- Not in the May 2026 data. Only SL appears, so the level was either not offered or not reported, and we cannot compare HL with SL.
- How many candidates got a 7 at SL?
- In May 2026, 5.5% of SL candidates received a grade 7. Grade 6 was awarded to 30.8% and grade 5 to 31.2%.
Other subjects
More IB statistics
- IB results May 2026: points, pass rate and score distribution
- What is a good IB score? Percentiles from May 2026
- How hard is a 7 in the IB? Share of 7s by subject, May 2026
- How rare are 40+ IB points? May 2026 share and trend
- IB diploma pass rate explained: May 2026 results and trends
- How IB grade boundaries work: who sets them and why they move
- Average IB score over time: May and November sessions
- IB results May 2025: average score, pass rate and statistics