Is IB Philosophy harder at HL than at SL?

On mean grade, no: both are 4.9 in May 2026. The distributions differ, with HL showing 24.3% at grade 4 against 18.6% at SL, and SL showing 24.5% at grade 6 against 21.2% at HL. The bulletin does not explain why.

How many candidates get a 7 in IB Philosophy?

In May 2026, 8.6% of candidates received a 7 at HL and 8.6% at SL. These are shares of all candidates at each level, based on the provisional bulletin.

Did Philosophy grades change since May 2025?

The HL mean went from 5 in May 2025 to 4.9 in May 2026, while the SL mean stayed at 4.9. These are small differences, and the May 2026 figures are still provisional.

IB subject statistics

IB Philosophy 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 Philosophy students averaged 4.9 at HL (2,173 students) and 4.9 at SL (2,934). 8.6% of HL and 8.6% of SL students scored a 7, and the most common grade at both levels was 5.

This page summarises how IB Philosophy was scored in May 2026, using the IB's official statistical bulletin for that session. The May 2026 figures come from the provisional bulletin, and a final version follows later in the year, so small changes are possible.

In May 2026, 2,173 candidates took Philosophy at HL and 2,934 at SL. Both levels have a mean grade of 4.9, but the grade distributions behind that identical mean are not the same.

Key figures

Level	Students	Mean grade	Share of 7s	vs May 2025
HL	2,173	4.9	8.6%	-0.1
SL	2,934	4.9	8.6%	no change

Grade distribution, May 2026

Grade distribution, May 2026
Grade	Higher Level	Standard Level
1	0.0%	0.2%
2	2.3%	2.8%
3	10.3%	9.9%
4	24.3%	18.6%
5	31.4%	31.7%
6	21.2%	24.5%
7	8.6%	8.6%

Grade 1-7, % of studentsHigher LevelStandard Level

Aiming for a 6 or 7 in Philosophy?Philosophy tutoring

What the mean grade and distribution show

A mean of 4.9 places Philosophy in the upper middle of the 1-7 scale. Grade 5 is the most common result at both levels: 31.4% of HL candidates and 31.7% of SL candidates. At HL, grade 4 comes next at 24.3%, then grade 6 at 21.2%; at SL, grade 6 comes next at 24.5%. Grade 7 is awarded to 8.6% at both levels. Grades 5 to 7 together cover more than half of all candidates at HL and at SL. At the bottom, grade 1 is 0% at HL and 0.2% at SL, and grade 2 is 2.3% and 2.8%. These shares are percentages of all candidates, so the grades at each level do not quite add up to the whole group: the remainder received no grade.

HL compared with SL

The identical mean hides a different shape. HL has a larger share at grade 4 (24.3% against 18.6% at SL) and a slightly larger share at grade 3 (10.3% against 9.9%). SL has a larger share at grade 6 (24.5% against 21.2% at HL) and at grade 5 (31.7% against 31.4%). The share at grade 7 is the same, 8.6%. These are comparisons of shares, not head counts: SL has more candidates overall (2,934 against 2,173). Why the shapes differ cannot be read from the bulletin. It could reflect who chooses HL, how the HL assessment works, or both.

Change since May 2025

At HL the mean grade moved from 5 in May 2025 to 4.9 in May 2026, a small dip. At SL it stayed at 4.9. At HL the change came from fewer 5s and 7s (grade 5 fell from 34.7% to 31.4% and grade 7 from 9.9% to 8.6%) and more 3s, up from 8.1% to 10.3%. A move of this size is better read as stability than as a trend, particularly while the May 2026 figures are provisional.

What this means for choosing and preparing

Philosophy is not an outlier in either direction: a typical candidate ends up at grade 5 or 6, and a 7 is reached by a minority (8.6% at each level). The HL and SL means are equal, so the data gives no reason to avoid HL on scoring grounds alone. The wider spread at grade 4 and below at HL suggests that the level should match your interest and writing stamina, not just your grade target. Whichever level you take, steady practice and feedback on argued written answers is a sensible way to aim for the upper grades.

Key takeaways

Mean grade in May 2026 is 4.9 at both HL and SL.
Grade 5 is the most common result at both levels (31.4% HL, 31.7% SL); grade 7 is 8.6% at both.
HL has more candidates at grade 4 by share, SL more at grade 6, despite the same mean.
HL moved from 5 in May 2025 to 4.9; SL stayed at 4.9.
May 2026 figures are provisional and may be revised in the final bulletin.

Frequently asked questions

Is IB Philosophy harder at HL than at SL?: On mean grade, no: both are 4.9 in May 2026. The distributions differ, with HL showing 24.3% at grade 4 against 18.6% at SL, and SL showing 24.5% at grade 6 against 21.2% at HL. The bulletin does not explain why.
How many candidates get a 7 in IB Philosophy?: In May 2026, 8.6% of candidates received a 7 at HL and 8.6% at SL. These are shares of all candidates at each level, based on the provisional bulletin.
Did Philosophy grades change since May 2025?: The HL mean went from 5 in May 2025 to 4.9 in May 2026, while the SL mean stayed at 4.9. These are small differences, and the May 2026 figures are still provisional.