IB core points: every TOK and EE combination explained

A two-point core result does not replace an HL requirement

Consider six subject grades totalling 29 and a TOK/EE combination awarding two core points: the diploma total is 31. If an offer asks for 32, one more point would close the total gap, but only if all separate subject requirements are already satisfied. A requirement for Mathematics HL 6 is not met by increasing core points while Mathematics remains at 5.

Read the full TOK/EE matrix · Calculate the diploma total · Check the retake policy · How is TOK graded? · IB Core Retakes: TOK, Extended Essay and Incomplete CAS

• Keep the TOK grade, EE grade and matrix points as three separate entries.
• Check the matrix rather than adding letter grades numerically.
• Confirm CAS completion and all diploma-award conditions.
• Do not budget for an extra core point as though it were guaranteed.

The complete combination list

Read each pair as TOK grade / Extended Essay grade. The matrix is symmetrical, so A/C and C/A have the same value.

• 3 points: A/A, A/B, B/A.
• 2 points: A/C, A/D, B/B, B/C, C/A, C/B, D/A.
• 1 point: B/D, C/C, D/B.
• 0 points: C/D, D/C, D/D.
• Failing condition: an E in TOK or an E in the Extended Essay.

May 2025 core points in the final IB report

The May 2025 final IB bulletin reports 45.4% receiving 2 core points, 24.6% receiving 1, 17.8% receiving 0 and 12.2% receiving 3 in its DP diploma-results chart. The mean was 1.5. These are session-level figures, not the chance of gaining a point through a retake.

Why 24 points is not the whole rule

The diploma needs at least 24 total points, but the IB also applies subject and level conditions. There must be a grade in every subject, TOK and EE; no subject can be grade 1; there can be no more than two grade 2s and no more than three grades of 3 or below.

Under the IB’s award conditions, HL subjects must contribute at least 12 points; with four HL subjects, the three highest count for this check. SL subjects normally require at least 9 points; with two SL subjects, the requirement is at least 5. CAS must be completed.

Core points after results

Diagnose the missing condition before choosing a new assessment:

• Zero points: six subject grades of 4 total 24. With C/D in TOK/EE, completed CAS and all other conditions met, zero core points do not prevent the Diploma.
• A grade E: a high subject total does not remove this failing condition. Raising a subject grade alone does not change the E.
• Incomplete CAS: extra subject or TOK/EE points do not replace completion.

The IBretake host-school search does not include supervision of a new TOK essay or exhibition, EE supervision, CAS completion or IA/coursework supervision. Any optional preparation offered separately has its own scope and price.

When one core point changes the decision

C/C to B/C changes the core award from 1 to 2; B/B to A/B changes it from 2 to 3. However, B/C to B/B stays at 2: a higher EE grade does not always add a core point.

Use your actual and proposed letter-grade combinations to calculate the difference. Then ask which assessment can be registered, whether a new essay, exhibition or other work is required, who will supervise it and what school submission deadlines apply. Treat the improved grade as a target, not a guaranteed extra point.