It is extremely stressful when a student finds out that the standards change every year. Parents upset that an 80 no longer guarantees a Grade 7 in Extended Mathematics, or puzzled about why the bar has been raised, are not alone. What you’re experiencing is real, and you are not reacting too strongly. The grading system used in MYP eAssessment differs from classroom assessment, and the criteria can change from one session to the next.

The guide outlines how MYP eAssessment grade boundaries work in 2025, what the May 2025 results indicate, and the strategic approach students should take when sitting their exams.

How MYP eAssessment Grading Differs from Classroom Assessment

The key point is that eAssessment boundaries differ from classroom boundaries.

In the classroom, the MYP grades are obtained by adding together four criterion scores (each ranging from 0 to 8) for a maximum possible score of 32; the total is then turned into a final grade on a scale from 1 to 7 by means of a set of standard grade boundaries which are used in all subjects.

eAssessment functions in a different way: the on-screen exams are assessed by external IB examiners who use the official mark schemes; raw marks are given for each question and then added up to make a total score out of 100, after which the score is converted into a grade from 1 to 7 using the grade boundaries set by the IB for that session.

It therefore has no fixed, universal boundary for a grade of 7 in an eAssessment. The cutoff mark varies from one examination session to another.

Subject-Specific Grade Boundaries for 2025: What We Know

The IB does not publish a single, publicly available document with a full, subject-by-subject list of eAssessment boundaries; it sets them after each examination session and then provides them to schools via subject reports.

In the May 2025 session, the highest reported subject-specific boundary was for Extended Mathematics, with the grade 7 threshold at 85 out of 100; in the previous session (May 2024), the grade 7 boundary for the same subject was 78 out of 100.

For the other subjects—Language and Literature, Sciences, Individuals and Societies, Interdisciplinary Learning, and the ePortfolios—the IB does not make individual boundary figures available in an easily accessible public format. While schools do receive subject reports which include this information, it is not compiled into a single public table.

That is why students and parents should not look for a full “2025 boundary table” for each subject—the boundaries do exist, but they are spread across individual subject reports and set separately for each session.

Why the Goalposts Move: How eAssessment Boundaries Are Set

The MYP eAssessment, according to the IB, is criterion-related and not merely about ranking candidates; examiners therefore give marks based on established expectations rather than comparing students with one another.

The process works roughly as follows:

1. Examiners assign raw marks for each question using the official mark scheme.
2. The raw marks are added up to produce a score based on a scale of 100.
3. Subject experts assess pupils' performance at the key grade levels (3, 4, and 7) and compare their work with the grade descriptors.
4. Session-specific boundaries convert the raw total into a grade from 1 to 7.

Because each paper is different, you cannot predict the boundaries in advance. A more demanding paper may have a lower boundary, while a more accessible paper may require additional raw marks for the same grade. This is not the IB being unfair. The IB ensures that a Grade 7 in 2025 means the same thing as a Grade 7 in 2024, even if the papers were of different difficulty.

What the May 2025 Results Tell Us

The August 2025 release of the May 2025 MYP results offers useful background for understanding performance among the eAssessment population.

Over 103,000 MYP students worldwide received their eAssessment and personal project results, and 337 IB World Schools in 82 countries took part in the optional eAssessment.

The average score for students who registered for the full MYP Certificate was 37.71 out of a maximum of 56; the average MYP grade for all candidates was 4.7, while those who obtained the MYP Certificate averaged 5.2.

The figures provide an overall indication of the global cohort’s position, but they do not tell individual students which boundary they must reach; the total of 56 points for the certificate is made up of eight components, each graded on a scale from 1 to 7.

The MYP Certificate: Requirements Beyond Individual Boundaries

Students aiming to obtain the full IB MYP Certificate include their eAssessment results in an overall total. As specified in the IB's official grading and awards framework, the certificate is awarded based on eight components, each graded on a scale from 1 to 7.

1. Language and literature — on-screen examination
2. Language acquisition — on-screen examination or ePortfolio
3. Individuals and societies — on-screen examination
4. Sciences — on-screen examination
5. Mathematics — on-screen examination
6. Interdisciplinary learning — on-screen examination
7. Physical and health education, arts, or design — ePortfolio
8. MYP personal project — ePortfolio

Certificate requirements include:

• Achieving at least 28 points out of 56
• Receiving a grade of at least 3 in every required component
• Completing the required eAssessments and meeting service expectations

A high total score cannot make up for a grade that is below 3 in any of the components. A student with a total of 35 points but a grade of 2 for the personal project would not meet the conditions required for the certificate.

Common Misconceptions About eAssessment Boundaries

Preparing Strategically for eAssessment

Because you can’t know the boundaries in advance, the best preparation is to focus on the skills the exam tests rather than aiming for a particular number.

In my class, I make it clear to my students that their biggest error is ignoring the clock displayed on the screen. They tend to spend too much time on the questions that interest them and then rush through the last section, losing marks they could have earned if they had managed their time better. The next mistake is treating communication as something considered only afterward. For instance, in Extended Mathematics, Criterion C (Communicating) is assessed throughout the whole examination, not just in a particular task. Use clear methods, notation, and explanations in all questions.

The MYP eAssessment on-screen examinations assess:

• Knowing and understanding
• Investigating patterns
• Communicating
• Applying mathematics in real-life contexts

The four criteria carry equal weight overall; throughout the paper, marks can be awarded for notation, logical sequencing, graphs, units, definitions, and explanations.

Students should:

• Practice under timed conditions to build familiarity with the on-screen format
• Review markschemes to understand what examiners look for
• Focus on communication — clarity and precision matter across all criteria
• Use mock exams to identify strengths and weaknesses before the real assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: A Score Is a Stepping Stone, Not a Verdict

MYP eAssessment grade boundaries are session-specific and set after each examination. No fixed number guarantees a grade 7, and we do not publish complete subject-by-subject boundary data in a single public table. If your child is disappointed with their result, please remember: an eAssessment score is a snapshot of one examination session, not a measure of your child’s intelligence, potential, or worth. The MYP is designed to prepare students for the Diploma Programme, where critical thinking and future-ready skills matter far more than a single grade. Use the result as information, not as a definition.

If you have questions about your child’s specific eAssessment preparation or want to understand how to target the skills that matter most, the best first step is a conversation with their subject teacher or MYP coordinator.

About MYP Tutoring Academy

MYP Tutoring Academy was founded in 2017 with a simple mission: to support IB MYP students through live, one-on-one online classes. We work with learners across the programme, helping them understand assessment criteria, strengthen their skills, and approach every task with confidence. Whether your child is preparing for eAssessment, working toward the MYP Certificate, or simply looking to improve their classroom performance, our tutors provide personalized guidance tailored to the MYP framework. To learn more or book a session, visit our website or contact our team.