Introduction
If you’re an IB parent, chances are you’ve heard the phrase “predicted grades” more times than you can count. Teachers mention them, your child worries about them, and universities often ask for them. But what exactly are predicted grades? And how do they differ from the final IB results?
This is a question almost every IB parent asks at some point:
“Should I be worried about my child’s predicted grades? Do they matter more than the final results?”
The short answer: predicted grades are important, but they aren’t the end of the story. They play a big role in university applications, while the final results determine your child’s actual diploma and placements. Let’s break it down in clear parent-friendly terms.
What Are IB Predicted Grades?
Predicted grades are estimates given by teachers about how your child is expected to perform in their IB exams. These predictions are usually based on:
- Performance in class and school assessments.
- Quality of work in assignments and Internal Assessments.
- Effort, consistency, and progress across IB Year 1 and Year 2.
- Teacher judgment of potential.
These grades are submitted to universities as part of the application process. For many students, predicted grades can make or break their offers.
What Are Final Results?
Final results are the official grades awarded by the IB after your child completes all exams and assessments. These include:
- External exams in May or November (depending on your child’s session).
- Internal Assessments, which are moderated externally.
- The Extended Essay (EE) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) combined grade.
- CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), which is required to earn the diploma.
Final results are released in July (for May exams) or January (for November exams). They determine whether your child earns the full IB Diploma and whether they meet the exact requirements of their university offers.
The Key Differences Between Predicted Grades and Final Results
- Timing: Predicted grades come months before the actual exams. Final results come after everything is completed.
- Purpose: Predicted grades are used for university applications. Final results are the official measure of achievement.
- Flexibility: Universities sometimes give offers based on predicted grades, but those offers are conditional. If your child’s final results don’t meet the offer, it can affect admissions.
- Accuracy: While many predictions are close, it’s not uncommon for students to score higher — or lower — than predicted.
Why Predicted Grades Stress Parents and Students
As a parent, you may have heard your child say: “If my predicted grades aren’t high enough, I’ll never get into university.” That can feel overwhelming for both of you.
Here’s the reality:
- Universities understand that predicted grades aren’t always perfect.
- Offers are often conditional, meaning the final results matter more.
- Many students outperform their predicted grades once they hit exam season.
So while predicted grades feel like a big deal, they’re not the final word.
What You Can Do as a Parent
1. Reassure Your Child
Predicted grades are a checkpoint, not a life sentence. Encourage your child to see them as motivation rather than a verdict.
2. Focus on Progress
Ask teachers where your child can improve between now and the final exams. Frame predicted grades as feedback, not failure.
3. Encourage Balance
Stress and panic can lower performance. Remind your child that consistency and balance will make a bigger difference than all-nighters.
4. Provide Support Tools
The biggest difference between predicted and final grades often comes down to revision strategy. This is where structured resources like RevisionDojo become invaluable.
How RevisionDojo Helps Close the Gap
RevisionDojo is designed to bridge the space between predicted grades and final results. Here’s how it helps:
- Targeted Practice: Students learn exactly how to approach IB questions in exams.
- Feedback Loops: Mistakes become learning opportunities, reducing repeated errors.
- Confidence Building: Many students underperform in predictions due to nerves — RevisionDojo helps them walk into exams prepared.
- Balanced Preparation: By covering grammar, vocabulary, cultural understanding, and exam strategies, RevisionDojo ensures no skill is left behind.
Parents love RevisionDojo because it reduces the “what ifs” that come with predicted grades. Instead of worrying, you know your child has the tools to raise their final results.
👉 Give your child the edge with RevisionDojo
FAQs for Parents
1. Can predicted grades be changed?
Sometimes. Teachers may adjust them based on improved performance before submission, but once submitted to IB or universities, they’re usually fixed.
2. What if my child’s predicted grades are lower than they hoped?
It’s not the end of the world. Universities expect some variation, and students often outperform their predictions. The key is focusing on improvement.
3. Do final results matter more than predicted grades?
Yes. Predicted grades matter for offers, but the final results decide whether your child keeps those offers and earns their diploma.
4. Should I get extra help if my child’s predicted grades are low?
Yes. Low predicted grades can signal gaps in knowledge or strategy. Extra support — like RevisionDojo — can boost confidence and ensure your child reaches their potential in the finals.
5. What’s a realistic gap between predicted and final grades?
It varies. Some students raise their results by 1–2 points per subject, while others exceed predictions significantly. With strong preparation, improvements are very possible.
Conclusion
The difference between predicted grades and final results often feels confusing for parents, but the truth is simple: predicted grades are an early signal, while final results are the real outcome.
Your child doesn’t have to accept their predicted grades as their destiny. With the right support, it’s entirely possible to close the gap — or even exceed expectations.
That’s why so many parents turn to RevisionDojo. It gives IB students the strategies, confidence, and focus they need to push their final grades higher than predicted.
