Research findings show:
PYP and MYP students outperform their peers on global benchmarks
Worldwide
where IB is offered
Worldwide
Worldwide
New International Baccalaureate® (IB) research shows that Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) students significantly outperform non-IB peers across subjects and grade levels.
Evidence from global assessments
- On the International Schools’ Assessment, PYP and MYP students significantly outperformed non-IB peers across multiple subjects and grade levels.*
- Importantly, non-IB students did not outperform PYP or MYP students in any grade or subject on the International Schools’ Assessment.**
** This finding refers to significant results. Further details about the study methodology and findings are available on the International Schools’ Assessment study webpage.
Global benchmarks (PISA comparison)
How MYP students compare globally
- MYP students significantly exceeded global benchmarks across every PISA domain measured — mathematical literacy, reading and scientific literacy.*
- They don’t just match global PISA benchmarks, they significantly exceed them.*
* The International Schools’ Assessment uses scales for mathematical literacy, reading and scientific literacy that are aligned with those in PISA, allowing results to be compared to global PISA benchmarks. Further details are available on the International Schools’ Assessment studywebpage.
Subject-level performance
Across multiple domains and grade levels, PYP and MYP students demonstrated stronger performance than non-IB students on the International Schools’ Assessment.
• Reading proved a particular strength, with IB students significantly outperforming non-IB students in 7 of the 8 grades assessed.*
• In scientific literacy, IB students performed significantly better than non-IB students across multiple grades.*
• In writing, IB students had significant advantages across several grade levels.*
* Further details about the study methodology and findings are available on the International Schools’ Assessment study webpage.
Research published February 2026.
Sources: International Schools’ Assessment and Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Further details about the study methodology and findings are available on the International Schools’ Assessment study webpage.
Download the research summary
Please check your email spam folder, the summary might end up there.