Picture this. You walk out of your IB Math: Applications and Interpretation SL exam in May or November 2025 and your first thought is, “Did I do enough for a 6? Or will that be a 4?”
That is where grade boundaries come in. They turn your raw marks on each paper and your exploration into a final grade from 1 to 7. When you understand the boundaries before results day, your goals feel clearer and the whole process feels less scary.
The good news for you: grade boundaries for IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL have been very stable across 2023, 2024, and May 2025.
Let’s break it all down in simple language.
What Are Grade Boundaries in IB Math Applications and Interpretation SL?
Grade boundaries can feel mysterious if you are new to IB, so start with the basics.
Simple explanation of IB grade boundaries
A grade boundary is the minimum total score you need to reach a certain IB grade.
Think of it like a ladder. Each grade has a step on the ladder.
For example, if the boundary for a 7 is 82 out of 100, then:
- If you score 82 or higher, you get a 7.
- If you score below 82, you get a 6 or lower, depending on where you fall.
This same idea applies to every grade, from 1 all the way to 7. The IB uses these boundaries to turn your marks on each part of the course into one final number and one final grade.
How grade boundaries affect your final IB Math AI SL grade
First, examiners mark:
- Your exploration (internal assessment, or IA) out of 20
- Paper 1 (no calculator) out of 80
- Paper 2 (calculator allowed) out of 75
These raw marks are combined, then scaled to a final score out of 100. That final score is matched to the grade boundary table.
Knowing the boundaries helps you turn a vague goal like “I want a 6” into a clear number. For example:
- Aim for 42 or more for a safe 4
- Aim for 57 or more for a solid 5
- Aim for 70 or more for a strong 6
- Aim for 82 or more if you are chasing a 7
Suddenly, your goal is not just a letter. It is a score you can track on each practice paper.
IB Math Applications and Interpretation SL 2025 Grade Boundaries at a Glance
Here is what the 2025 grade boundaries look like when everything is added up.
2025 overall score needed for each grade (1 to 7)
Your final IB grade is based on a score out of 100. These are the May 2025 boundaries, which are also a strong guide for November.
| IB Grade | Total Score Range (out of 100) |
|---|---|
| 7 | 82–100 |
| 6 | 70–81 |
| 5 | 57–69 |
| 4 | 42–56 |
| 3 | 27–41 |
| 2 | 14–26 |
| 1 | 0–13 |
A pass for most schools and universities is grade 4 or higher, so you want at least 42 out of 100 overall.
If you are aiming for top math-heavy courses at university, that 82+ range for a 7 is your long term target.
These totals come from combining your exam papers and your exploration, not from any one part alone.
2025 grade boundaries for the IA and exam papers
Here are the May 2025 boundaries for each component.
Exploration (IA) out of 20
| IB Grade | Score Range |
|---|---|
| 7 | 18–20 |
| 6 | 15–17 |
| 5 | 12–14 |
| 4 | 9–11 |
| 3 | 6–8 |
| 2 | 3–5 |
| 1 | 0–2 |
A grade 7 exploration usually means clear math, solid reasoning, correct use of technology, and a well explained conclusion. You are likely in the 18 to 20 range for that.
Paper 1 (out of 80)
| IB Grade | Score Range |
|---|---|
| 7 | 66–80 |
| 6 | 57–65 |
| 5 | 48–56 |
| 4 | 37–47 |
To feel like you are in 7 territory, you want mid 60s or higher here, with strong accuracy and method marks.
Paper 2 (out of 75)
| IB Grade | Score Range |
|---|---|
| 7 | 61–75 |
| 6 | 52–60 |
| 5 | 41–51 |
| 4 | 30–40 |
For a 7 level result, you are usually looking at low 60s or more on Paper 2.
Boundaries can shift by a point or two each session, but sites that track both May and November numbers show the same pattern: very small changes, not big jumps.
May vs November 2025 sessions: will boundaries be different?
May and November share the same course, but the questions are different, and the mix of students is different.
If an exam turns out slightly harder than expected, the boundary for a 7 might drop by a mark or two. If it is a bit easier, the boundary might rise slightly.
For planning, treat the May 2025 ranges as the target zones for both sessions. Focus more on hitting the range, not on guessing tiny one point shifts.
How IB Sets Math AI SL Grade Boundaries (And Why They Stay Stable)
Knowing how boundaries are set can make them feel much fairer.
How exam difficulty and student performance shape boundaries
After each session, senior examiners look carefully at:
- How hard each paper was compared with past years
- How students across the world actually performed
If a paper turned out tough, they do not want everyone’s grade to drop. In that case, they lower the boundaries a little so that a 7 still represents the same level of skill. If a paper was easier than planned, they raise the boundaries so a 7 still means strong performance.
In other words, boundaries move so that the meaning of each grade stays stable.
Why IB cannot promise exact grade boundaries before the exam
You will never see official May or November 2025 boundaries published before marking ends. IB sets them only after all scripts are marked and checked.
That is why the 2025 numbers in this guide are official for May, but still best treated as planning guides for future sessions, not as guarantees. Treat them as target bands, not as exact promises.
If you want to see how IB designs and compares its math courses, the IB report “A comparative analysis of the assessment and grades” gives deeper background.
Stable patterns from 2023, 2024, and 2025
- Grades 4 to 7 sit in almost the same score ranges each year
- Shifts are usually only 1 or 2 marks at most
This is great news for you. It means you can look at 2025 numbers and trust that they match what IB expects from an AI SL student in the current syllabus.
How to Use 2025 Grade Boundaries to Plan Your IB Math AI SL Study
Numbers are helpful, but you need a plan. Here is how to use them in daily study.
Set smart score targets for your final IB Math AI SL grade
Use the boundaries to turn your dream grade into a number:
- Need a pass for your diploma or course entry? Aim for 42–50 for a safe 4
- Want a strong but not perfect result? Aim for 57–69 for a solid 5
- Applying for courses that like good math, but not only math? Aim for 70–81 for a strong 6
- Planning for math, data, or engineering paths? Aim for 82+ for a 7
Pick one target range based on your goals, other subjects, and time. Write that range at the top of your notebook or on your wall so you see it when you study.
Balance your effort between the exploration and exam papers
The exploration is only 20 marks, but it is a place to lock in points before exams.
Helpful moves:
- Start the IA early, not in a rush
- Follow the IB criteria closely and ask for feedback
- Show every key step and explain your reasoning in words
- Use technology correctly and comment on what it shows
If you can stay in the 18–20 range there, you give yourself room on the exams.
Then build a simple practice plan:
- Paper 1: short, regular practice without a calculator, to build algebra skills and quick thinking
- Paper 2: practice with your calculator, modeling questions, and data-focused problems
Both papers matter for reaching the boundary you want.
Focus on key skills that score well under the 2025 boundaries
Grade boundaries reward consistent mark gathering. That means focusing on skills that examiners love to award:
- Clear step-by-step methods
- Correct use of your calculator and technology
- Modeling real life data with functions and statistics
- Reading and interpreting graphs, tables, and charts
- Writing short explanations, not just final numbers
For topic focus, most AI SL students benefit from extra practice in:
- Statistics and probability
- Functions and graphs
- Financial math and interest
- Modeling real life situations from worded problems
These topics appear often, and strong work there can push you over a boundary line.
Use past papers, markschemes, and boundaries together
Past papers are powerful only if you use them with feedback.
Try this routine:
- Do a past Paper 1 or Paper 2 under timed conditions.
- Mark it yourself with the official markscheme.
- Compare your total to recent boundaries.
- Log the date, paper, and total in a simple score tracker.
Over a few weeks, you should see your scores climb closer to your target range.
Common Questions About IB Math Applications and Interpretation SL 2025 Grade Boundaries
Are the 2025 IB Math AI SL grade boundaries the same for everyone worldwide?
Yes. For each session (May or November), all IB schools use the same boundaries for Math AI SL.
A student in Singapore, Spain, or Canada who sits the same session and level has the same grade cutoffs.
Can grade boundaries change after I sit my exam?
No. Boundaries are fixed after marking and checking are complete and before results come out. They do not move afterward.
The ranges in this guide match real May 2025 data, but the official numbers for your session will always come from IB.
What if my total score is right on a boundary line?
IB takes care with scripts close to a boundary. Senior examiners review marking systems, and moderation checks protect against random changes.
Marks are not rounded up casually, but if you are near a boundary, that is where careful marking of each question and a strong IA can really help.
Final Thoughts: Use Boundaries as a Map, Not a Monster
Grade boundaries for IB Math AI SL have stayed very steady across 2023, 2024, and 2025. A pass sits around 42 out of 100, and a top 7 sits around 82+.
Use that knowledge to plan with confidence. Talk to your teacher, set a clear target band, map out your IA work, and build a routine of timed practice using past papers and markschemes.
You do not control the exact boundary, but you do control your effort, your habits, and how well you understand how the course is scored. With steady work and a clear score target, you can walk into the 2025 exams feeling far more in control of your IB Math story.
