Comprehending Middle Years Programme (MYP) Scores: An Explanation of the International Baccalaureate Grading System for Intermediate Learners
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): A Comprehensive Grading System
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) employs a standardized grading system, with each subject being assessed on a scale of 1 to 7, where 7 is the highest possible mark. This grading system is designed to evaluate students' performance across key skill areas within subjects.
Each subject in the MYP is assessed using four criteria, each graded out of 8, with a maximum mark per subject of 32. These criteria focus on different skills or competencies related to the subject.
The four assessment criteria per subject are evaluated throughout the course, with summative assessments conducted at the end of each unit. These assessments are marked against rubrics related to the criteria and are crucial to the final score. Formative assessments, ongoing throughout the course, serve to guide learning but do not directly determine the final grade.
The final grade is calculated by combining the averages of the four criteria scores for the subject, which are then mapped via IB grade boundaries to a final grade from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). Internal assessments by teachers may be moderated externally by IB examiners at MYP levels 4 and 5 to ensure consistency.
Scoring ranges indicate the level of a student's academic performance. Scores ranging from 28-34 indicate satisfactory to good performance, 35-40 indicate very good to strong achievement, 41-49 indicate excellent academic development, and 50-56 indicate exceptional mastery and top-tier achievement. A total of 28 points is the minimum required to pass the MYP certificate, which equates to an average of 3.5 per subject.
To earn the official IB MYP Certificate, students must meet certain criteria. They must score at least 28 out of 56 total points, achieve a minimum grade of 3 or above in all eAssessment components, complete the Personal Project and Interdisciplinary Learning assessments, and participate in community service and learning portfolios.
Placement into Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL) courses for the IB Diploma Programme (DP) is often based on MYP performance. Consistently scoring 5 or above in individual subjects demonstrates strong academic capability and readiness for the IB Diploma Programme.
Moreover, students with high MYP scores possess time management and reflection skills essential for DP success. They are better prepared for the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Extended Essay (EE).
For those seeking additional study tools tailored to MYP objectives, RevisionDojo offers topic-by-topic resources. Additionally, working on developing critical thinking, reflection, and analysis, especially in subjects like Language and Literature or Sciences, can further enhance students' performance in the MYP.
In summary, the MYP grading reflects students’ performance across key skill areas within subjects through ongoing and final assessments, consolidated into a single 1–7 grade per subject, aligned with international standards set by the IB.
Students looking to prepare for education-and-self-development opportunities, such as the IB Diploma Programme (DP), may benefit from practicing practice questions related to the MYP. Regular engagement with these resources can help build critical thinking, reflection, and analysis skills, which are crucial for success in the MYP and DP.
Working on learning and understanding key concepts in subjects like Language and Literature or Sciences, and then practicing questions related to those subjects, can provide students with the foundation necessary to excel in the MYP and beyond.