Skip to main content

Guide To IB Mathematics

Everything you need to know about IB Math AA & Math AI

The IBO offers two different IB math courses to meet the different needs and aspirations of students.

  • Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (AA)
  • Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (AI)

Both courses are offered at Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL). IB Math AA is tailored towards deeper abstract and theoretical understanding of mathematical concepts, whereas IB Math AI is tailored towards application of mathematical concepts to solve a wide range of practical problems.

Overview For IB Math AA & IB Math AI

Most recently, IB has undertaken a restructuring of its math curriculum in which the previous categories of Math Studies, Math Standard Level (SL), Math Higher Level (HL) and Further Math have now been replaced by Math Analysis and Approaches (AA) and Math Application and Interpretation (AI), each offered at Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL).

These changes are applicable for the May 2021 assessment cohort and beyond.

The purpose of these changes is to provide students with more flexibility in their choice of mathematics pathways while also improving practically relevancy of the curriculum in this digital age.

So, what are the differences between Math AA vs AI?

Math Analysis & Approaches (AA)

Overview

Essentially, Math AA is tailored towards deeper abstract and theoretical understanding of mathematical concepts. It incorporates topics such as advanced calculus and proof by induction, and there is one paper without a calculator.

You will also have the option of picking between math AA SL and HL, and as with your other subjects, the coverage of content is naturally greater in HL.

Who Should Take Math AA?

  • Standard Level (SL): Students who are moderate at math & intend to study economics or sciences after high school.
  • Higher Level (HL): Students who are strong at math & intend to pursue maths or engineering after high school

What’s It Similar To?

Although it is difficult to draw parallels between these categories and the old categories, Math AA SL is most similar to old Math SL and Math AA HL is most similar to old Math HL.

Math Applications & Interpretation (AI)

Overview

Math AI is for students who enjoy mathematics when applied to a practical context. Topics such as statistics, distributions, matrices comprise a core part of its foundation and you will have access to a calculator for all papers.

Who Should Take Math AI?

  • Standard Level (SL): Students who are not strong at math & do not intend to study math-based subjects after high school
  • Higher Level (HL): Students who are strong at math but do not intend to study math-based subjects after high school

What’s It Similar To?

As with Math AA, you have the option of picking between AI SL and AI HL. Math AI SL is most analogous to Math Studies, however Math AI HL is unlike any of the previously offered math courses.

About IB Math AA/AI Curriculum

One interesting part to mention is that AA and AI do share topics in common. They first cover the same 5 topics but with varying emphasis in each area. These topics are:

  1. Number and algebra
  2. Functions
  3. Geometry and trigonometry
  4. Statics and probability
  5. Calculus

These topics fall under the core concepts and will be covered in the first 60 hours of the course.

However, the way these concepts are approached will depend. They will be approached via a theoretical lens if a student is studying it as an AA topic but the same topic will be taught with an ‘implementation’ mindset in an AI class.

Which IB Math Subject Should You Choose?

In general, if you are someone who enjoys math and would like to opt for a math intensive degree like physics, engineering, or pure math, then Math AA HL would be the ideal choice.

When it comes to specific requirements for the UK, most universities are still finalizing their prerequisites (especially for the 2021 intake). A few such as Cambridge and King’s College London have indicated an explicit requirement for Math AA HL for their math-heavy courses.

However, Oxford and Edinburgh have stated they have no preference for either the Analysis and Approaches (AA) course or the Applications and Interpretation (AI) course. So, unless stated on their website, it is worth reaching out to the admissions office at your chosen university to seek further clarification.

If you’re someone who does plan to pursue a moderately math-linked course such as economics or sciences, most universities would still prefer having Math AA, either at SL or HL.

On the other hand, if you absolutely resent math, and would prefer to take courses such as law, arts, language or social sciences, then there usually are no specific math requirements for your chosen course. You would be most comfortable with Math AI SL.

About IB Math Assessment

Assessments in both math courses are to ascertain the ability of students to recollect and use appropriate mathematical concepts or techniques in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts. Problem-solving is key to learning mathematical concepts, and it requires application of a wide range of concepts and skills. Students are also required to sketch mathematical graphs or diagrams and present their arguments, reasoning and solutions clearly and logically using appropriate notations. The ability to effectively use appropriate technology to solve problems is also examined.

The internal assessment is an integral part of both math courses, and it is done by both SL and HL students. This is to assess the ability of students to independently investigate mathematics in their area of interest without the time constraints of written examinations. It enables students to analyse mathematical information, generate hypotheses, test their validity, draw conclusions and clearly communicate their findings.

The timing and weightage of assessments is the same for both courses, but the format of the papers is different. HL students take 3 papers, while SL students only take 2 papers.

TypeFormatTimeWeightage of final grade
AAAISLHLSLHL
External80%
Paper 1No technology allowed.

Section A:
Short response questions

Section B:
Extended response questions 		Technology allowed.

Short response questions 		1 hour 30 minutes2 hours40%30%
Paper 2Technology allowed.

Section A:
Short response questions

Section B:
Extended response questions		Technology allowed.

Extended response questions		1 hour 30 minutes2 hours40%30%
Paper 3Technology allowed.

Two Extended response problem solving questions		Technology allowed.

Two Extended response problem solving questions		-1 hour-20%
Internal20%
Internal Assessment (IA)Investigation and reportInvestigation and report15 hours15 hours20%20%

Visit Prep Zone @ Orchard

Our experts are always here and ready to help at our Orchard campus at:

Prep Zone Academy, 15 Scotts Road, #07-05, Singapore 228218 (Opposite Far East Plaza)

Our Success Stories

“

My daughter was stuck with her TOK draft and had no idea how to proceed. I checked with a number of tuition centers for help with TOK, but Prep Zone was the one who could get me a tutor at short notice. Her trainer Jessica was highly experienced and guided my daughter through her draft, essay, and presentation.

Mrs. OngParent
“

I have been a loyal client at PrepZone since my eldest went there for UCAT tutoring. In all, they have helped my 3 kids with UCAT, BMAT, SAT, ACT, IGCSE and IB. Not to mention the last-minute MMI interview preparation that we needed for med school which was fabulous and so well-organized! Do yourself a favor and get one of their big individual packages and ask them to split the hours between your kids – you can enjoy the lowest per-hour rate that way.

Mrs. NgParent
“

My son used to go to another tuition center but I soon realized he was spending more time with his friends there than studying. I initially was worried about the lack of group tutoring at PrepZone, but soon realized the 1-1 tutoring is more effective. The feedback that the teachers sent to me after each session was very helpful so I could keep track of his progress and motivate him at home.

ClaireParent
“

Prep Zone really helped my daughter improve on her scores for IB Math and English Lang Lit. We started preparation early in Grade 11, and Prep Zone supported us all the way till the final IB exams. The tutors were really nice and helpful, and were also available to help my daughter after office hours if required. The feedback after every lesson was really helpful for me as a parent, since it allowed me to stay up to date as well on my daughter’s progress. She enjoyed the lessons very much, and their online lessons via Zoom were conducted very smoothly. I would really recommend Prep Zone to all students & parents!

ChelseaParent
“

I have been a student at Prep Zone since 2018, and they have helped me with my IGCSE exams and then my IB exams. Some of the explanations by the teachers here were better than my school teachers!

C.N,Student
“

My elder daughter joined Prep Zone for SAT tutoring, and we decided to have a trial class for IB Math. We ended up using our leftover hours for IB, and though the May exams were cancelled due to COVID, I felt my daughter was improving and would have performed well on the exam. My son is now using my daughter’s remaining hours, and he loves his weekly tutoring for Psychology & Biology.

B. H.Parent
“

I had no personal life in IB year 2 and spent 4 days of the week at Prep Zone for SAT, IB and university applications haha. But now I am off to Columbia and it’s been worth it. Thank you Prep Zone!! And special thanks to Michelle, my English tutor there :))

A. S.Student
“

Went to Prep Zone for Physics, Psychology and Business lessons and they really helped me improve. Pro tip: check with your friends if they are going to Prep Zone as well after school and share a cab there, you’ll be surprised how many show up there 😉

R. T.Student
“

The great thing about Prep Zone’s IB course was that I could use the hours from my package for multiple subjects rather than getting new packages for each. This helped me during my mocks since I could come in with my doubts for all my HLs.

M. T.Student
“

I was initially a bit concerned about the price so went for the smallest package. My son loved his lessons and they were nice enough to allow me to move up to the higher package. A big bonus for me as a parent were their regular feedback emails after every session so I could keep track too.

S. B.Parent
“

I had an amazing tutor, patient, understanding, and flexible, able to find a simple way to explain the hardest questions. I would just like to say that without his help, I would not have improved as much as I did for my promotional exams. Because of his help, my Chemistry attained a 7 with 80 this time around, and my Math improved a startling 18 marks from 52 to 70. We may meet again next year, but I just wanted to ask that he continue helping students who want to learn, as with his patience and guidance there will surely be improvement.

ZacheryStudent
“

I would like to sincerely thank my trainer for all his help and guidance during my chemistry internal assessment. I met my chemistry teacher a few days back and he told me that my IA was quite good. I got a 7 in chemistry, and I got a 21/24 for my chemistry internal assessment.
Thanks once again for all the guidance and help for the internal assessment!
I was able to pull up from a low grade IA to a much much better one.

AyushStudent
“

The tutors at Prep Zone helped my son get from a 5 in Chemistry to a 7 on his final exams. We had started off with a few sessions to work on Chemical Bonding, but seeing my son’s progress in class, we moved to regular weekly sessions which really paid off! Highly recommend the IB course!

CarolineParent

Trial IB Class Registration

Need help with the IB? Prep Zone Academy provides one-to-one tuition in a wide range of subjects at both the SL and HL levels. Our team of all-star trainers offers undivided attention throughout these sessions in addition to a fully personalized curriculum that is specifically tailored to meet your personal goals. Our trainers will work closely with you to help you achieve your goals, whether you wish to work on specific weaknesses or prepare for the upcoming assessment.

Additionally, parents will receive personalized feedback after every lesson, so they are always informed of what is being taught in class. Sign up for a trial lesson today to experience the Prep Zone’s difference!

For any urgent inquiries, contact us at +65 6812 9999 or Whatsapp us at +65 8305 1871

-
-
-

By submitting this form, I agree to Prep Zone Academy’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.