IB subject statistics
IB Marine Science 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 Marine Science students averaged 3.8 at SL (523 students). 3.6% scored a 7, and the most common grade was 3.
This page summarises results for IB Marine Science in the May 2026 session. The figures come from the IB's official statistical bulletin for that session. They are taken from the provisional bulletin, and a final version follows later in the year, so small revisions are possible.
The data covers 523 SL candidates, with a mean grade of 3.8. Below we look at how the grades are spread, what can and cannot be said about HL, how the result compares with May 2025, and what it means for students considering the subject.
Key figures
| Level | Students | Mean grade | Share of 7s | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL | 523 | 3.8 | 3.6% | no change |
Grade distribution, May 2026
| Grade | Standard Level |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.9% |
| 2 | 16.1% |
| 3 | 27.7% |
| 4 | 19.9% |
| 5 | 15.9% |
| 6 | 8.8% |
| 7 | 3.6% |
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Mean grade and grade distribution
Grade 3 is the most common single result at 27.7%, followed by grade 4 at 19.9% and grade 2 at 16.1%. Grade 5 was awarded to 15.9% of candidates, grade 6 to 8.8% and grade 7 to 3.6%. Grade 1 accounts for 1.9%. These shares are percentages of all candidates, and the remainder received no grade, so the seven figures add up to less than the full cohort. The bulk of results sits at grades 2 to 4, which fits a mean of 3.8, just under the middle of the 1-7 scale. The top end is narrow: only 3.6% reached a 7. With 523 candidates, shares can shift noticeably from one session to the next.
HL versus SL
The May 2026 data contains an entry for SL only. No HL row is reported, and there is no HL entry for May 2025 either, so a comparison between the two levels is not possible here. We cannot say from the data whether HL was not offered or simply not reported, and we do not draw conclusions about it.
Change compared with May 2025
The SL mean grade was 3.8 in May 2025 and is 3.8 again in May 2026, so there is no change at the level of one decimal. The spread moved a little even though the average held steady: grade 3 rose from 24.5% to 27.7%, and the share of 7s fell from 4.7% to 3.6%.
What this means for choosing and preparing
A mean of 3.8 and a modest share of 7s suggest that high grades in Marine Science are earned rather than given, so it is worth choosing the subject for genuine interest rather than as an expected easy source of points. For preparation, the distribution shows that grades 3 and 4 are where many candidates finish. Moving into grades 5 and above is therefore the realistic aim for ambitious students, and it rewards steady work across the course. The session-wide diploma mean of 30.9 points is context only and says nothing about this subject. Check with your school whether Marine Science is offered and at which level.
Key takeaways
- The SL mean grade in May 2026 was 3.8 across 523 candidates.
- Grade 3 was the most common result at 27.7%, and 3.6% of candidates reached a 7.
- The mean was also 3.8 in May 2025, so the average did not change.
- No HL data is reported for May 2026 or May 2025, so HL and SL cannot be compared.
- The May 2026 figures are provisional and may be revised in the final bulletin.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the mean grade in IB Marine Science in May 2026?
- The SL mean grade was 3.8 for 523 candidates, according to the IB's provisional bulletin for May 2026. The SL mean in May 2025 was also 3.8.
- How many candidates got a 7 in Marine Science?
- In May 2026, 3.6% of SL candidates received a grade 7. This is a share of all candidates, not a head count.
- Can I compare HL and SL Marine Science?
- Not with this data. Only an SL row is reported for May 2026, and no HL entry exists for May 2025 either, so we make no claims about HL.
Other subjects
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- 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