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How is MYP Math Graded
In the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), assessment is about growth, understanding, and the learning journey. That being said, it can be tricky to understand where grades come from and what they mean. Let’s unpack the Criteria, achievement levels, and grades.
Watch a quick video here, or keep reading for more information.
Criterion-Based Assessment
MYP uses a criterion-based assessment model across their subjects. This means student work is judged against skill-based criteria rather than counting up points. The goal is to understand each learner’s progress with clarity and fairness.
In MYP Mathematics, each task, whether it’s a project, investigation, or test, is assessed using at least one of four criteria (see below). For each Criterion, students demonstrate an “achievement level” on a scale from 0 to 8.
Assessment in Practice: Formative and Summative
There are two main types of assessment:
Both are essential. Formative assessments prepare students, while summative ones help evaluate where they are in their journey.
From Achievement Levels to Grades: The 1–7 Scale
At the end of a term or year, the achievement levels from the summative assessments are considered. Teachers use the most recent, most consistent demonstration of the students’ knowledge to report one achievement level for each Criteria.
To determine a final, overall grade (from 1-7), these achievement levels are totaled, and compared to the published IB grade boundaries (see below).
But the number is only part of the story. This grade has general descriptor that should represent the student’s demonstration and effort in the subject. In our example, the student had a total of 21, which falls in the 19-23 grade boundary. This gives the student a grade of 5 on the report card. According to the MYP Mathematics Guide (2021), a grade of 5 suggests the student is producing strong work and demonstrating secure understanding. They are even able to apply their knowledge in unfamiliar situations.
Why It Matters: Growth Over Scores
One of the biggest takeaways from MYP assessment is that it’s designed to track progress. It’s about:
- Understanding how students learn, not just what they know.
- Providing feedback that supports growth.
- Encouraging students to take ownership of their learning journey.
The MYP assesses learning in a way that is intentionally different from many educational systems around the world, especially in Mathematics. It can feel unfamiliar at first for students who are used to points and percentages.
Over time, students who embrace attributes of the IB Learner Profile, like being open-minded, and reflective, begin to thrive in MYP Mathematics. They develop a growth mindset, see feedback as a tool rather than a judgment, and grow in confidence. With this mindset, assessment becomes a map for what comes next.
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