What was the mean grade in IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation in May 2026?

The mean grade was 4.6 at HL and 3.9 at SL, according to the IB's provisional statistical bulletin for May 2026. In May 2025 the means were 4.5 at HL and 3.9 at SL.

Is HL graded more generously than SL?

The data cannot show that. HL has a higher mean grade and a larger share of grade 7s (10% against 3.7% at SL), but that may reflect who chooses HL, for example students who are more confident in mathematics. The bulletin gives no reason.

Did results change since May 2025?

Only slightly. The HL mean rose from 4.5 in May 2025 to 4.6 in May 2026, and the SL mean stayed at 3.9. One session is not enough to call a trend, and the May 2026 figures are provisional.

IB subject statistics

IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation grade distribution and average grade, May 2026

By Michael Thompson - Head of Teaching Excellence; 15 years as an IB Coordinator

Published 5 October 2026Data: IB Diploma Programme provisional statistical bulletin, May 2026

Short answer: In May 2026, IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation students averaged 4.6 at HL (8,500 students) and 3.9 at SL (44,196). 10.0% of HL and 3.7% of SL students scored a 7, and the most common grade was 5 at HL and 4 at SL.

This page summarises results for IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation 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.

The bulletin covers 8,500 HL candidates and 44,196 SL candidates. Below we look at the mean grades, how the grades are spread, how HL and SL differ and what changed since May 2025.

Key figures

Level	Students	Mean grade	Share of 7s	vs May 2025
HL	8,500	4.6	10.0%	+0.1
SL	44,196	3.9	3.7%	no change

Grade distribution, May 2026

Grade distribution, May 2026
Grade	Higher Level	Standard Level
1	1.3%	4.4%
2	6.9%	13.3%
3	13.9%	21.4%
4	24.1%	24.7%
5	24.8%	19.0%
6	17.6%	10.1%
7	10.0%	3.7%

Grade 1-7, % of studentsHigher LevelStandard Level

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Mean grade: HL 4.6, SL 3.9

The mean grade is 4.6 at HL and 3.9 at SL. Both sit in the middle of the 1-7 scale rather than near the top. A typical candidate therefore lands around grade 4 or 5 at HL and around grade 4 at SL. For context only, the average diploma total across the whole May 2026 session was 30.9 points. That is a session-wide figure and says nothing about this subject in particular.

How the grades are distributed

At HL the largest shares are at grade 5 (24.8%) and grade 4 (24.1%), followed by grade 6 (17.6%) and grade 3 (13.9%). Grade 7 is 10%, grade 2 is 6.9% and grade 1 is 1.3%. At SL the largest shares are at grade 4 (24.7%) and grade 3 (21.4%), followed by grade 5 (19%) and grade 2 (13.3%). Grade 6 is 10.1%, grade 1 is 4.4% and grade 7 is 3.7%. These percentages are shares of all candidates at that level. More than half of HL candidates received grade 5 or higher, while at SL less than half did. More than half of SL candidates received grade 4 or higher.

HL compared with SL

HL candidates are weighted towards the upper grades. A grade 7 went to 10% of HL candidates against 3.7% of SL candidates. At the other end, grades 1, 2 and 3 are each more common at SL than at HL. These are comparisons of shares, not head counts: SL has far more candidates in total. One possibility is that students who choose HL are more confident in mathematics or have a stronger mathematical background. The bulletin does not tell us this, so treat it as a possible explanation only.

Change since May 2025

At HL the mean grade moved from 4.5 in May 2025 to 4.6 in May 2026, a small rise. At SL it stayed at 3.9 in both sessions. The mean grades therefore show a stable picture, with at most a slight improvement at HL. A single session is a thin basis for calling a trend, especially as the May 2026 figures are provisional.

What this means for choosing and preparing

Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation is graded across the full range at both levels, so the grade is earned rather than given. If you are weighing HL against SL, look at your own confidence and your future course requirements, not only at these averages. A strong HL result is realistic for many candidates, but the mean of 4.6 shows it is demanding. At SL, steady practice matters, because the grades from 3 to 5 hold most of the cohort and each step up is within reach. At both levels, regular timed past-paper work is a sensible way to prepare.

Key takeaways

May 2026 mean grade: 4.6 at HL (8,500 candidates) and 3.9 at SL (44,196 candidates).
The modal grade is 5 at HL (24.8%) and 4 at SL (24.7%).
Grade 7 reached 10% of HL candidates and 3.7% of SL candidates.
Compared with May 2025, HL edged up from 4.5 to 4.6, while SL stayed at 3.9.
The figures are from the IB's provisional bulletin, so they may be revised in the final version.

Frequently asked questions

What was the mean grade in IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation in May 2026?: The mean grade was 4.6 at HL and 3.9 at SL, according to the IB's provisional statistical bulletin for May 2026. In May 2025 the means were 4.5 at HL and 3.9 at SL.
Is HL graded more generously than SL?: The data cannot show that. HL has a higher mean grade and a larger share of grade 7s (10% against 3.7% at SL), but that may reflect who chooses HL, for example students who are more confident in mathematics. The bulletin gives no reason.
Did results change since May 2025?: Only slightly. The HL mean rose from 4.5 in May 2025 to 4.6 in May 2026, and the SL mean stayed at 3.9. One session is not enough to call a trend, and the May 2026 figures are provisional.