NoteCurricula, assessment rules and academic-integrity requirements can be updated. Always check current official IB and school documents.
AA or AI, SL or HL
Course choice should not depend only on the current grade. Future university requirements, interest in theoretical or applied questions and the total Diploma Programme workload matter more.
| Question | AA | AI |
|---|---|---|
| Typical emphasis | Algebra, analysis, mathematical argument | Modelling, statistics, applications, technology |
| Check carefully | How secure are symbolic methods? | How secure are interpretation and real contexts? |
This is orientation, not an official course definition. Current IB and school documents are decisive.
Prepare for examinations and the Internal Assessment
- know command terms and expected presentation
- use calculator technology confidently but not blindly
- review past-paper tasks by topic and error type
- choose a narrow, investigable IA question
- document sources, data and independent work clearly
For the IA, a smaller, transparent investigation is often stronger than an oversized topic with little original analysis.
A realistic weekly routine
A useful IB routine separates immediate submissions from long-term capability building. Two short review blocks, one demanding problem block and a weekly review are often more effective than irregular marathon sessions.
Many subjects compete for time in the IB. Mathematics therefore needs to become predictable—not permanently urgent.