Each year, the IB continues to grow — more schools, more countries, and more students sitting exams. When the IB releases its annual statistics, one number often surprises students: just how many people are taking the Diploma Programme worldwide.
At first glance, this can feel intimidating. Bigger cohorts can mean more competition, more comparison, and more pressure. But the reality is more nuanced.
This article explains how many students took the IB in 2025, why those numbers keep rising, and what cohort size actually means for individual students.
Quick Start Checklist
- How many students sat the IB in 2025
- Why IB participation keeps growing
- What larger cohorts really change (and what they don’t)
- Common student misconceptions
- How to respond strategically to IB growth
How Many Students Took the IB in 2025?
In the May 2025 session, over 200,000 students worldwide participated in IB assessments across the Diploma Programme and related pathways.
This marks another year of steady growth and confirms the IB’s position as one of the largest international secondary qualifications in the world.
The IB now operates across:
- Thousands of schools
- Over 150 countries
- Diverse educational systems and languages
This scale is important — but not in the way many students think.
Why the Number of IB Students Keeps Increasing
IB participation has grown consistently for several reasons.
First, universities continue to recognise and value the IB Diploma for its academic rigour and breadth.
Second, more schools are adopting the IB to offer internationally recognised pathways.
Third, families increasingly see the IB as preparation not just for exams, but for independent thinking, time management, and academic writing.
This growth reflects confidence in the programme, not dilution of standards.
Does a Bigger Cohort Mean More Competition?
This is where many students jump to the wrong conclusion.
The IB does not rank students globally. You are not competing against 200,000 people for a limited number of diplomas or top grades.
Instead:
- You are assessed against criteria
- Grades are awarded based on descriptors
- Standards are moderated internationally
A larger cohort does not reduce your chance of success.
What Larger Cohorts Actually Change
While grading is unaffected, larger cohorts do influence perception.
Students often experience:
- More comparison with peers
- Increased anxiety around results
- More online discussion about statistics
- Greater fixation on averages and distributions
These psychological effects are real — but they do not change how marks are awarded.
Understanding this distinction helps students avoid unnecessary stress.
Why IB Growth Is Actually a Positive Signal
IB growth sends several important signals.
It shows that:
- The Diploma remains respected
- Standards are being maintained at scale
- Universities continue to trust IB results
- Schools are investing in rigorous curricula
A programme could not grow this consistently if outcomes were unreliable or unfair.
What the Number of Students Does Not Affect
The total number of IB students does not affect:
- Grade boundaries in individual subjects
- Your internal assessment moderation
- Examiner expectations for your scripts
- How universities interpret your score
Your performance is judged on your work alone.
How Students Should Respond to IB Growth
The smartest response to a growing IB cohort is not panic — it is preparation.
Students should:
- Focus on mastering assessment criteria
- Avoid comparing themselves to global numbers
- Track personal progress instead of rankings
- Practise exam-style questions consistently
Growth increases visibility, not difficulty.
How RevisionDojo Helps in a Growing IB System
As the IB grows, clarity becomes more important — not less.
RevisionDojo helps students by:
- Cutting through statistical noise
- Focusing on how marks are actually earned
- Teaching examiner-focused technique
- Supporting consistent progress over time
In a large system, students who understand expectations always have an advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IB growth make it harder to get top grades?
No. Grades are criterion-based, not capped by cohort size. Meeting the descriptors earns the grade regardless of how many students are assessed.
Should I be worried about competing with more students?
No. You are not ranked globally. Your success depends on preparation, not population size.
Does IB growth lower standards?
No. Continued growth depends on maintaining trust with universities and schools. Standards are moderated carefully each session.
Final Thoughts
The number of students taking the IB in 2025 confirms the programme’s global strength and relevance. While large numbers can feel intimidating, they do not change how success is achieved.
Students who focus on understanding criteria, refining technique, and practising consistently perform well regardless of cohort size. In a growing IB world, clarity and preparation matter more than ever — and that is exactly what RevisionDojo is designed to provide.
