What was the mean grade in IB Psychology in May 2026?

The mean grade was 4.8 at HL and 4.5 at SL, based on the IB's provisional bulletin for May 2026. A final version of the bulletin follows later in the year.

Did IB Psychology results change from May 2025?

Only slightly. The HL mean stayed at 4.8, and the SL mean moved from 4.4 in May 2025 to 4.5 in May 2026. A shift this small should not be treated as a clear trend.

Is HL Psychology graded more generously than SL?

The bulletin does not say how grading differs. HL has the higher mean and a larger share of grade 7 (6% against 4%), but this may reflect who chooses HL rather than any difference in marking.

IB subject statistics

IB Psychology 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 Psychology students averaged 4.8 at HL (15,455 students) and 4.5 at SL (13,895). 6.0% of HL and 4.0% of SL students scored a 7, and the most common grade was 5 at HL and 4 at SL.

This page summarises IB Psychology results for the May 2026 session, using the IB's official statistical bulletin. 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, 15,455 candidates sat Psychology at HL and 13,895 at SL. Below we look at what the mean grade and grade distribution say about how the subject is scored, how HL and SL differ, and how results compare with May 2025.

Key figures

Level	Students	Mean grade	Share of 7s	vs May 2025
HL	15,455	4.8	6.0%	no change
SL	13,895	4.5	4.0%	+0.1

Grade distribution, May 2026

Grade distribution, May 2026
Grade	Higher Level	Standard Level
1	0.1%	0.8%
2	2.9%	7.3%
3	11.7%	13.4%
4	23.4%	27.1%
5	30.1%	22.4%
6	24.4%	20.2%
7	6.0%	4.0%

Grade 1-7, % of studentsHigher LevelStandard Level

Aiming for a 6 or 7 in Psychology?Psychology tutoring

What the mean grade and distribution show

The mean grade is 4.8 at HL and 4.5 at SL. Both sit in the middle of the 1-7 scale, so Psychology is neither a subject where high grades come easily nor one where they are out of reach. At HL, grade 5 is the most common single result at 30.1% of all candidates, followed by grade 6 at 24.4% and grade 4 at 23.4%. At SL, grade 4 is the largest group at 27.1%, then grade 5 at 22.4% and grade 6 at 20.2%. The distribution shares are percentages of all candidates, and a small remainder received no grade, so the shares together fall slightly short of the whole.

HL compared with SL

HL candidates did better on average, and the distribution shows where. Grade 7 was awarded to 6% of HL candidates and 4% of SL candidates. Adding grades 5, 6 and 7 gives a majority of all HL candidates, but fewer than half of all SL candidates. The low end differs too: grade 2 went to 7.3% of SL candidates against 2.9% at HL, and grade 1 to 0.8% at SL against 0.1% at HL. These are shares of each level, not head counts. Why HL looks stronger is not something the bulletin tells us. One possibility is that students who choose HL are often more committed to the subject, but that is only a possibility.

Change since May 2025

The HL mean grade is unchanged at 4.8, the same as in May 2025. The SL mean edged up from 4.4 in May 2025 to 4.5 in May 2026. That is a small shift, and with provisional figures it should not be read as a trend. For context only, the mean diploma total for the whole May 2026 session was 30.9 points. That figure covers all subjects plus core points and says nothing specific about Psychology.

What this means for choosing and preparing

Psychology's mean grades suggest steady, consistent work is rewarded, but a grade 6 or 7 is still a minority outcome at both levels. At HL, the large shares at grades 4, 5 and 6 mean that marginal gains in exam technique, such as structuring extended answers and evaluating research, can move you between grades. At SL, the biggest group is at grade 4, so securing the basics matters first: key studies, definitions and clear command-term responses. If you are choosing between levels, base the decision on your interest, your other subjects and your university requirements rather than on the mean alone, since the HL mean is higher but the candidate groups are not necessarily comparable.

Key takeaways

May 2026 mean grade: 4.8 at HL and 4.5 at SL (provisional bulletin).
Grade 5 is the most common HL result at 30.1%; grade 4 is the most common SL result at 27.1%.
Grade 7 went to 6% of HL candidates and 4% of SL candidates.
The HL mean is unchanged from May 2025 at 4.8, while the SL mean moved from 4.4 to 4.5.
Use the distribution to set realistic targets, and choose the level on fit and requirements, not the mean alone.

Frequently asked questions

What was the mean grade in IB Psychology in May 2026?: The mean grade was 4.8 at HL and 4.5 at SL, based on the IB's provisional bulletin for May 2026. A final version of the bulletin follows later in the year.
Did IB Psychology results change from May 2025?: Only slightly. The HL mean stayed at 4.8, and the SL mean moved from 4.4 in May 2025 to 4.5 in May 2026. A shift this small should not be treated as a clear trend.
Is HL Psychology graded more generously than SL?: The bulletin does not say how grading differs. HL has the higher mean and a larger share of grade 7 (6% against 4%), but this may reflect who chooses HL rather than any difference in marking.