What was the mean grade in IB World Religions in May 2026?

The SL mean grade was 4.6, based on 1,917 candidates. In May 2025 it was 4.8. The May 2026 figures come from the IB's provisional bulletin.

How many candidates got a 7 in World Religions?

In May 2026, 2.3% of SL candidates received a grade 7. A further 17.5% received a 6 and 31.8% received a 5. These are shares of all candidates.

Is there an HL World Religions result for May 2026?

No. The data has no HL entry for May 2026, so the level was either not offered or not reported. We therefore cannot compare HL and SL or describe any HL change from May 2025.

IB subject statistics

IB World Religions 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 World Religions students averaged 4.6 at SL (1,917 students). 2.3% scored a 7, and the most common grade was 5.

This page summarises how candidates performed in IB World Religions in the May 2026 session. The figures come from the IB's official statistical bulletin for that session. They are provisional, and a final version of the bulletin follows later in the year.

In the data, World Religions appears at Standard Level (SL) only, with 1,917 candidates. Below we explain what the mean grade and the grade distribution suggest about how the subject is scored, and what that may mean for choosing and preparing it.

Key figures

Level	Students	Mean grade	Share of 7s	vs May 2025
SL	1,917	4.6	2.3%	-0.2

Grade distribution, May 2026

Grade distribution, May 2026
Grade	Standard Level
1	0.0%
2	1.5%
3	14.3%
4	26.5%
5	31.8%
6	17.5%
7	2.3%

Grade 1-7, % of studentsStandard Level

Aiming for a 6 or 7 in World Religions?World Religions tutoring

Mean grade and grade distribution

The mean grade for SL in May 2026 was 4.6. The distribution of all candidates was: grade 1 at 0%, grade 2 at 1.5%, grade 3 at 14.3%, grade 4 at 26.5%, grade 5 at 31.8%, grade 6 at 17.5% and grade 7 at 2.3%. Grade 5 was the most common single result, followed by grade 4. Together they cover more than half of all candidates. These percentages are shares of all candidates, and the remainder received no grade. The profile is centred on the middle grades, with a fairly thin top end: only 2.3% reached a 7, though 17.5% reached a 6.

HL versus SL

The May 2026 data contains no Higher Level (HL) entry for World Religions. The level was either not offered or not reported, so we cannot compare HL and SL and make no claim about HL results. Everything on this page refers to SL.

Change compared with May 2025

In May 2025 the SL mean grade was 4.8. In May 2026 it was 4.6, so the mean was slightly lower. A single drop of this kind is a modest movement and should not be over-read. Possible explanations include differences in the candidate group or in how the work was assessed, but the bulletin data cannot tell us which, if any, applies. For context only: the average diploma total across the whole May 2026 session was 30.9 points, including core points. That figure says nothing about World Religions specifically.

What this means for subject choice and preparation

A mean of 4.6 with most results in grades 4 to 6 suggests that a solid, consistent performance is realistic, while a 7 is rare at 2.3%. If you are considering the subject for its points, plan on steady work across all assessed components rather than relying on a top mark. To aim for the upper grades, practise structured comparison and evaluation of religious traditions and use precise evidence. Check the current syllabus and your school's offer, since the data shows SL only.

Key takeaways

SL World Religions had 1,917 candidates in May 2026 and a mean grade of 4.6.
Grade 5 (31.8%) and grade 4 (26.5%) were the most common results; 7s were 2.3%.
The mean was 4.8 in May 2025, so May 2026 was slightly lower.
No HL entry appears in the May 2026 data, so no HL comparison is possible.
May 2026 figures are provisional and a final bulletin follows later in the year.

Frequently asked questions

What was the mean grade in IB World Religions in May 2026?: The SL mean grade was 4.6, based on 1,917 candidates. In May 2025 it was 4.8. The May 2026 figures come from the IB's provisional bulletin.
How many candidates got a 7 in World Religions?: In May 2026, 2.3% of SL candidates received a grade 7. A further 17.5% received a 6 and 31.8% received a 5. These are shares of all candidates.
Is there an HL World Religions result for May 2026?: No. The data has no HL entry for May 2026, so the level was either not offered or not reported. We therefore cannot compare HL and SL or describe any HL change from May 2025.