What was the mean grade in Spanish ab initio in May 2026?

The mean grade at SL was 4.9, based on 11,226 candidates in the IB's provisional bulletin for May 2026. The same mean was recorded in May 2025.

How many candidates got a 7 in May 2026?

9.5% of Spanish ab initio SL candidates received a grade 7. Grade 6 was awarded to 22.1% and grade 5 to 29.2%, so most results sit in the middle of the scale.

Is there an HL level for Spanish ab initio?

The May 2026 data lists only SL for this subject, so we show no HL figures and make no HL comparison.

IB subject statistics

IB Spanish ab initio 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 Spanish ab initio students averaged 4.9 at SL (11,226 students). 9.5% scored a 7, and the most common grade was 5.

This page uses the IB's official statistical bulletin for the May 2026 session to show how Spanish ab initio was graded. The May 2026 figures come from the IB's provisional bulletin, and a final version follows later in the year, so small revisions are possible.

In May 2026 the bulletin reports 11,226 candidates at SL, with a mean grade of 4.9. The sections below explain what that mean and the spread of grades suggest about the subject.

Key figures

Level	Students	Mean grade	Share of 7s	vs May 2025
SL	11,226	4.9	9.5%	no change

Grade distribution, May 2026

Grade distribution, May 2026
Grade	Standard Level
1	0.2%
2	2.4%
3	11.5%
4	23.3%
5	29.2%
6	22.1%
7	9.5%

Grade 1-7, % of studentsStandard Level

Aiming for a 6 or 7 in Spanish ab initio?Spanish ab initio tutoring

What the mean grade and distribution show

The mean grade of 4.9 sits just below a 5, and the distribution agrees with that. Grade 5 is the most common single result at 29.2%, followed by grade 4 at 23.3% and grade 6 at 22.1%. Those three grades are clearly the bulk of the cohort. Grade 7 was awarded to 9.5% of candidates, while grade 3 accounts for 11.5%. The lowest results are rare: grade 2 at 2.4% and grade 1 at 0.2%. The shape is a single peak in the middle with a modest tail at each end. These percentages are shares of all candidates, and the small remainder received no grade, so the seven grade shares add up to slightly less than the whole cohort.

HL versus SL

The May 2026 data lists only an SL row for Spanish ab initio, so there is no HL comparison to make. No HL figures are reported here, and we do not infer any. Every figure on this page describes SL candidates.

Change since May 2025

The mean grade for SL was 4.9 in May 2025 and is 4.9 in May 2026, so it is unchanged. Individual grade shares moved only a little: grade 5 fell from 31.1% to 29.2%, grade 6 rose from 21% to 22.1%, and the share of 7s went from 10.1% to 9.5%. Results look similar across the two May sessions.

What this means for choosing and preparing

A mean of 4.9 and a 9.5% share of grade 7 show that a top grade is attainable but not typical, and that most candidates land in the middle grades. For students starting Spanish from scratch, a grade 5 is a realistic central target, and a 6 or 7 needs consistent practice across all components. Regular listening, reading and short written tasks matter most. The session's overall diploma mean of 30.9 points covers all subjects, so it tells you nothing specific about Spanish ab initio. Use it only as background.

Key takeaways

Spanish ab initio SL had 11,226 candidates in May 2026, with a mean grade of 4.9.
Grade 5 was the most common result at 29.2%, followed by grade 4 at 23.3% and grade 6 at 22.1%.
Grade 7 was awarded to 9.5% of candidates and grade 1 to 0.2%.
The mean was 4.9 in May 2025 and is 4.9 in May 2026, so it did not change.
Only SL is listed in the data, so no HL comparison is possible.

Frequently asked questions

What was the mean grade in Spanish ab initio in May 2026?: The mean grade at SL was 4.9, based on 11,226 candidates in the IB's provisional bulletin for May 2026. The same mean was recorded in May 2025.
How many candidates got a 7 in May 2026?: 9.5% of Spanish ab initio SL candidates received a grade 7. Grade 6 was awarded to 22.1% and grade 5 to 29.2%, so most results sit in the middle of the scale.
Is there an HL level for Spanish ab initio?: The May 2026 data lists only SL for this subject, so we show no HL figures and make no HL comparison.