How MYP grading works
5 min read ยท updated 2026-10-02
MYP report cards confuse parents at first: letters and numbers that look nothing like GCSE or percentage marks. Once decoded, though, MYP grading is refreshingly transparent - every subject is scored against four published criteria, and every level descriptor is public.
The four criteria (A to D)
Every MYP subject group is assessed against four criteria, A to D, and each criterion is scored from 0 to 8 using level descriptors that describe exactly what a student must do at each level. The structure is the same across the programme, but the criteria themselves differ by subject group:
- โ Mathematics: knowing and understanding, investigating patterns, communicating, applying mathematics in real-life contexts
- โ Sciences: knowing and understanding, inquiring and designing, processing and evaluating, reflecting on the impacts of science
- โ Individuals and societies: knowing and understanding, investigating, communicating, thinking critically
- โ Language and literature: analysing, organising, producing text, using language
- โ Language acquisition: listening, reading, speaking, writing
From criterion scores to the 1-7 grade
Schools add the four criterion scores (out of 32) and convert the total to a final grade from 1 to 7 using the grade boundaries the IB publishes for the MYP (below). A 7 needs close to the top level in every criterion, and a 4 is a solid pass band. Teachers award the criterion levels and moderate them internally; optional IB eAssessment in the final year gives externally validated grades and the IB-validated MYP certificate.
- โ 1-5 out of 32: grade 1
- โ 6-9: grade 2
- โ 10-14: grade 3
- โ 15-18: grade 4
- โ 19-23: grade 5
- โ 24-27: grade 6
- โ 28-32: grade 7
What parents should track
Because every criterion is public, the useful question at report time is not 'is 5 good?' but 'which criterion did she score lowest in, and what does the descriptor for one level higher say?'. That single question converts a vague report into a specific study plan - and it is exactly how our MYP tutors structure sessions.
FAQs
What is a good grade in MYP?๏ผ
Grades run 1-7 per subject. A 4 is a solid pass band, 5-6 is strong and competitive for Diploma Programme entry, and 7 is exceptional. For students heading to the IB Diploma, consistent 5s and 6s across subjects keep every HL option open.
Why did my child's grade drop when the test went well?๏ผ
Because final grades combine four criteria - not just tests. A weak investigation write-up or an under-developed communication criterion can pull the average down even with strong knowledge. The fix is usually structure and process, which is trainable.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-02.
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