MYP Assessment Criteria Explained: How MYP Grading Actually Works
Jamal Lewis
Unlike the DP's single, points-based exam system, the MYP grades students against four specific criteria for each subject group and critically, those four criteria are different for every subject. A Sciences student and a Language and Literature student aren't marked against the same rubric at all; each subject group has its own criteria designed around the skills that actually matter in that discipline.
How the Four Criteria Work
Each subject group has four criteria, labeled A, B, C, and D, each focused on a different skill area within that subject. Each criterion is scored on an achievement level from 0 to 8, based on task-specific rubrics called “strands” that describe what each level of performance looks like. The four criterion scores are added together for a total out of 32. That total out of 32 is then converted into a final 1 to 7 subject grade using grade descriptor boundaries published by the IB, which describe the qualities expected at each grade level rather than a fixed percentage cutoff.
Understanding Task-Specific Rubrics and Strands
Every main Criterion (A, B, C, and D) is further divided into sub-components known as strands. For example, in Language & Literature Criterion A, the strands require students to analyze literary devices, evaluate structural choices, and justify opinions with textual evidence. When teachers grade an assignment, they assess student performance against task-specific rubrics mapped directly to these strands rather than using standard percentage percentages.
Rather than earning a 90% or 80% on an essay, a student receives performance-level bands such as level 5 to 6 for substantial analysis or level 7 to 8 for perceptive analysis. Teachers select the descriptor that best matches the overall quality of the student's work across all strands to assign a final score from 1 to 8 for that criterion.
Example: Criteria by Subject Group
While exact wording varies by subject guide, the general pattern looks like this:
The "Best-Fit" Approach: How Final Criterion Scores Are Determined
One of the most unique aspects of MYP assessment is that final criterion scores are not mathematically averaged over the school year. Because students learn iteratively, the IB mandates that teachers use the best-fitjudgment model when submitting final reporting levels.
If a student scores a level 4 on Criterion A in October, a level 6 in January, and level 7s consistently on late-spring assessments, the teacher will not average these numbers to award a 5. Instead, the teacher evaluates the overall pattern of evidence, placing greater weight on the student’s most recent and consistent performance to assign a final level 7 for Criterion A. This system rewards academic growth and prevents early mistakes from permanently pulling down a student's final grade.
Why This System Differs From the DP
- MYP assessment is primarily internal, teacher’s grade against IB-defined criteria, rather than sitting standardized external exams.
- Criteria are assessed repeatedly across the year through varied tasks, not through a single end-of-course exam
- The DP, by contrast, combines internal assessment with heavily weighted external exams graded against subject-specific mark schemes and grade boundaries set after each session
Converting 32 Points to a 1 to 7 Final Grade
Once a teacher establishes a final score 1 to 8 for each of the four criteria, all four scores are summed to create a total out of 32. This composite total is then mapped against official IBO grade boundary tables to yield the student's final reported grade from 1 to 7:
Grade 7 (Excellent - 28 to 32 points): Demonstrates thorough command of concepts, critical analysis, and sophisticated real-world application.
Grade 6 (Very Good - 24 to 27 points): Shows analytical understanding and consistent application across varied contexts.
Grade 5 (Good - 19 to 23 points): Demonstrates sound understanding with occasional gaps in complex analytical tasks.
Grade 4 (Satisfactory - 15 to 18 points): Shows basic conceptual knowledge and application in familiar scenarios.
Grade 1 to 3 (Limited to Basic - 0 to 14 points): Reflects partial understanding and difficulty applying concepts independently.
Tips for Understanding Your MYP Grades
Ask your teacher which specific strand within a criterion cost you marks, achievement level descriptors are detailed, and feedback should point to specifics. Track your criterion scores across the year rather than focusing only on the final 1 to 7 grade, since criteria are assessed repeatedly and patterns often show where to focus. Remember that a strong score in one criterion can't fully offset a weak score in another, all four are assessed and reported separately before being combined
How Schools Ensure Grading Fairness: Standardization and Moderation
Because MYP grading is managed internally by classroom teachers rather than external exam boards, schools must follow strict internal standardization processes. Before final grades are reported, teachers within the same subject department cross-grade sample student assignments to align their interpretation of the criterion rubrics and ensure consistent scoring across different classes.
For schools registered for official MYP Year 5 E-Assessments, student work is also subjected to external moderation by official IB examiners. Schools submit sample portfolios and E-Portfolios to the IBO, where global examiners review the internal scores. If a school's internal grading is found to be too lenient or too harsh, the IBO adjusts the entire cohort's grades up or down accordingly to maintain global parity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are MYP criteria the same across all subjects?
No, each of the eight subject groups has its own four criteria, designed around the specific skills relevant to that discipline.
What's the highest possible MYP criterion score?
8 per criterion, for a maximum combined total of 32 across all four criteria in a subject.
Does the MYP use grade boundaries like the DP?
Yes, in a related sense the IB publishes grade descriptor boundaries that map criterion-level totals to final 1–7 grades, though the process differs from the DP's exam-based boundary system.
Can a student receive a 0 on an MYP assessment criterion?
Yes, a level 0 is awarded if a student's work does not reach the minimum standard described by the level 1 to 2 descriptors, or if a student fails to submit the assessment altogether. Receiving a 0 severely impacts the overall total out of 32, making it nearly impossible to achieve a final subject grade of 5, 6, or 7.
Why do some MYP assignments only grade one or two criteria instead of all four?
Teachers are not required to assess all four criteria in every single assignment. A short lab report might focus exclusively on Criterion B (Inquiring) and Criterion C (Processing), while an end-of-unit essay might evaluate Criterion A (Analyzing) and Criterion D (Using Language). Over the course of a reporting period, however, teachers must provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate performance across all four subject criteria.
What is the difference between MYP formative and summative assessments?
Formative assessments are practice tasks such as draft reviews, quizzes, and class discussions, designed to give actionable feedback without contributing directly to final reporting scores. Summative assessments are culminating projects, lab reports, essays, or exams used by teachers to judge a student's final level of achievement against the criteria. Only summative performance is factored into the final best-fit criterion scores.
How do MYP 1–7 grades compare to traditional letter grades or percentages?
Because the MYP evaluates skills against criterion descriptors rather than percentage curve totals, direct conversions can be misleading. Generally, a Grade 7 represents exceptional mastery equivalent to an A+, a Grade 6 aligns with an A/A-, a Grade 5 reflects a solid B range, and a Grade 4 represents a passing C benchmark. Universities and high school admissions officers evaluate MYP 1 to 7 grades using standardized grade conversion charts provided by individual educational systems.