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IB students worldwide receive their results

by Belinda Breeze

179,917 students worldwide receive their Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) results from the May 2023 examination session. This marks a 3.47% increase in the number of students receiving DP and CP results.

The IB is immensely proud of all IB students who have reached this milestone. Throughout the DP and CP two-year learning journey students have acquired the knowledge and skills to thrive and make a difference in the world. 

Todays’ IB graduates join a community of more than 2.3 million lifelong learners across 159 countries worldwide. The global average DP score for the May 2023 session is 30.24 points.


Through the two-year learning journey students have acquired the knowledge and skills to thrive and make a difference in the world


Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate, said: “I am delighted to congratulate this year’s IB graduates. Their achievement in reaching this milestone is wonderful – and many will undoubtedly go on to achieve great things both at university and in their lives. Throughout its history, the IB has prided itself on giving the world many of its great change-makers, and this cohort will no doubt follow in this tradition. It is also exciting to be able to celebrate with students who have been able to experience the full breadth of what the IB has to offer after the many challenges of the last several years”.

The Diploma Programme (DP) gives the student a world-class preparation for university and a lifetime of opportunity. It is a comprehensive inquiry-based education that puts the student in control of their learning, so they can develop superior academic ability, confidence, critical-thinking and language skills. This challenging framework is recognised and respected by the world’s leading universities and aims to develop the whole student, and flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically.

The Career-related Programme (CP) is specifically designed for students aged 16–19 who wish to engage in career-related learning, while also continuing to gain transferable and lifelong skills like confidence, social responsibility and a sense of purpose. The CP is an innovative blend of academic study and career skills that incorporates the vision and educational principles of the IB into a unique programme.


”Throughout its history, the IB has prided itself on giving the world many of its great change-makers, and this cohort will no doubt follow in this tradition”


For the May 2023 examination session, DP and CP students completed all assessment components for each subject and the IB awarded grades using all components, coursework and examinations. 

In line with other national and international awarding organisations, the profile of grade distribution returned close to pre-pandemic standards. This return to established distributions of awarded grades is aligned with university expectations and has been a phased process: results for the May 2022 and November 2022 examination sessions were closer to the results of 2019 than those of 2021.

However, mitigation for disruption to teaching and learning arising from the Covid-19 pandemic was applied during the setting of grade boundaries.

Learn more about the May 2023 examination by clicking below