Are you taking IB exams in 2026 and wondering what the competition is actually like? When you look at last year’s student performance, it’s easier to understand the standards you are walking into and what universities actually expect. The awareness of the passing rates and the top scores that can take you to top universities helps shape the exam prep with a clear target.
Let’s discuss the IB Diploma Results 2025 result outcomes to help you set your target scores in this blog.
The IB Diploma Results 2025 Results:
Here’s what Singapore students achieved in 2025:
Singapore vs Global Results (May 2025 Exams):
- Students who took IB: 2,079 in Singapore, 202,103 worldwide
- Average score: 35.43 (Singapore) vs 30.58 (world)
- Average grade per subject: 5.58 vs 4.89
- Pass rate: 95.68% vs 81.26%
For 2026 students, these numbers are significant. They tell you:
- Singapore consistently scores higher than global averages, indicating strong local competition.
- Universities reviewing Singapore applicants know this—and expect high performance.
- A good IB score is entirely achievable if you follow strong preparation systems (as proven by almost 96% of students passing).
How Top Singapore Schools Performed in 2025
Key results from 2025:
- Tanglin Trust School – Average 39.6, 100% pass rate, 3 perfect 45s
- GIIS SMART Campus – Average 37.2, 100% pass rate
- Dulwich College – Average 36.9, 100% pass rate
- NLCS Singapore – Average 36.7, 100% pass rate, high rate of bilingual diplomas
- UWCSEA – Average 36.3, pass rate of 98.7%
- Canadian International School – Average 35.0, 100% pass rate
- Chatsworth International – Average 34.3, 100% pass rate
Almost every major IB prep school in Singapore recorded a pass rate above 94 per cent.
What This Means for 2026 Students
- The average scores listed provide a meaningful benchmark: the target score range is 34 – 38 points.
- In general, competitive universities like those in Singapore, the UK, and Hong Kong are seeing more and more applicants with average scores between 38 and 42 points.
- While perfect 45 scores have occurred in the past, those exceptional scores usually result from students who have a very thorough and methodical preparation routine—not simply luck or coincidence.
Why Singapore Performs So Well—and How 2026 Students Can Use This Insight
The success Singapore sees in IB each year is not accidental. It comes from:
- Experienced teachers
- Structured curriculum delivery
- Strong academic environments
- High familiarity with IB assessment styles
- Students who practise consistently rather than cram
What the 2025 Results Mean for University Admissions
Because 2025 students received results on 6 July, admissions windows for overseas universities aligned comfortably with application cycles.
For 2026 students:
- The May session candidates will get results in early July 2026.
- November session candidates will get results in mid-December 2026.
Universities judge you using:
- Your total points
- Your subject scores
- Your consistency across HL subjects
- TOK + EE points
- If applicable: Bilingual Diploma
The high averages in Singapore mean universities view Singapore IB applicants as strong candidates. This raises standards, but it also increases trust—your scores carry weight internationally.
How You Should Prepare for the 2026 Exam Year
1. The next few months matter most
Students who scored 38+ in 2025 did not wait until March to begin past paper practice. They began by December or January.
2. Subject performance is more important than total points
A student with 38 points but strong HL grades may be preferred over a student with 41 points but weak HL scores. Aim for:
- HL subjects: 6 or 7
- SL subjects: 5 or 6
3. Past paper familiarity is essential
The 2025 students who did best were the ones comfortable with:
- IB command terms
- Question structure
- Time management
- Markscheme patterns
4. The strongest students practised under timed conditions
Timed papers build stamina and reduce exam anxiety. Begin early.
5. A reality to accept early
Students who consistently perform well in Singapore are not necessarily geniuses—just structured and consistent.
Understanding the 2025 Score Distribution Helps 2026 Students Set Goals
Global fail rate: 18.74%
Singapore fail rate: 4.32%
This means:
- If you prepare systematically, the chances of passing are extremely high.
- Reaching 35+ is realistic with proper support.
- Scores of 40+ come from early planning, not last-minute study.
How Princeton Review Singapore Supports 2026 IB Students
The Princeton Review Singapore has worked with hundreds of IB students every year, and the 2025 results reaffirm something important: strong guidance changes outcomes.
What You Receive as a 2026 Student
Personalised Study Plans
Structured weekly goals based on your subjects, pace, and exam session.
Extensive Past Paper Practice
Students get access to multiple years of IB questions across subjects, with guided mark scheme training.
Targeted Subject Tutoring
Highly experienced IB tutors explain complex topics clearly, especially in subjects like:
- Math AA / AI (HL & SL)
- Biology, Chemistry, Physics
- Economics, Psychology, History
- English Language & Literature
- Chinese and other languages
- Visual Arts (support for portfolios)
Mock Examinations
Complete exam simulations build confidence and improve timing—one of the biggest factors behind high scores.
Essay and EE Support
Guided feedback for IB essays, EE structure, critical thinking, and TOK.
Strategy Coaching
Students learn:
- Time management during papers
- How to decode mark schemes
- How examiners allocate points
- How to avoid common mistakes
Why Students Choose Princeton Review
- Tutors who have taught the IB curriculum for years
- Structured, predictable learning approaches
- Flexible learning options
- A strong track record of helping students improve their scores.
Final Message
Results from 2025 serve as more than data; they serve as a guidebook to understanding how well students in Singapore are achieving, how competitive UC admissions are, and what to expect in the future. While they indicate high standards for student achievement, they also show that achieving these standards is possible through diligent planning, continuous practice, and appropriate academic support.
If you want a reliable, structured plan for preparing for 2026, then Princeton Review Singapore has a comprehensive program to support all subjects and all phases of your preparation in reaching your goal score.
Don’t wait to prepare until the year of the exam gets stressful; begin your preparations now!