IB Mathematics Subject Guide & Exam Tips
Analysis & Approaches
“Practice a great number of questions and understand the concepts. If you understand the concept and method, you will easily memorise the formula.”
Author: Dr. H-R Zimmermann, MSc // hrz@cantab.netTheoretical Physicist, IBDP Mathematics & Physics Examiner (12 years), Math & Science Exam Preparation Coach
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Choosing Higher vs Standard Level
- IBDP Math Analysis & Approaches Higher Level (HL) is required as a university requirement for students intending to go for Math-intensive degrees such as Pure Mathematics, Physics, or Engineering.
- Standard Level (SL) is needed for other Science degrees, Accountancy, or Economics, which still require a certain level of proficiency in Pure Mathematics.
IBDP Math Analysis & Approaches (AA) vs Old IBDP Math Syllabus
The syllabus of IBDP Math AA which had its first examinations on May 2021 is similar with the old IBDP Math, but were decreased from 6 topics to 5 topics by eliminating Vectors completely in SL, and in HL now, only as subtopic.
The new additions are outlined below for IBDP Math AA HL and SL:
Standard Level
- Algebraic equality proof (LHS to RHS side proof)
- Correlation and regression
- Concepts in sampling and displaying graphs
Higher Level
- Binominal theorem with rational power
- Partial fractions
- DeMoivre theorem in complex numbers
- Rational functions in more depth
- L’Hospital rule and application
- Graphs of y = |f(x)|, f(|x|), (f(x))2, f(ax + b), 1/f(x)
- Maclaurin Series
- Differential equations
Other Changes
- Eliminated from the AA HL syllabus are the Poisson Distribution and Discrete Mathematics (Groups and Graph Theory).
- Paper 3 is no longer an option paper, with a focus on investigation and problem solving. Paper 3 is similar in its form to the IBO MYP Paper 3 and has the same aim in investigative mathematics and application of mathematical knowledge. The former Further Math HL course has disappeared completely from the new IB DP Math Courses
- Internal assessment (IA) has a 20% weightage in the final grade for both HL and SL, and the depth and breadth required for HL are higher than for SL.
The November 2021 paper is indeed a step up from the previous papers in N20 and M20. In total, there are 90 questions and sub-questions to solve within 5 hours. Questions involving the new syllabus additions appeared in 24 of these questions and sub-questions.
We’ll highlight below the questions (paper by paper) that are worth reviewing as they are unusual question types worth taking note of.
PAPER 1
120 minutes, no technology allowed, 9 short questions and 3 extended questions (20 % grade weight)
PAPER 2
120 minutes, technology required, 8 short questions, 3 extended questions, grade weight 30 %
PAPER 3
60 minutes, technology required, 2 extended response problem-solving questions, grade weight 30%
REPEATED PRACTICE & MEMORIZATION
Memorize all the math formulas in the Math AA Exam Formula booklet. Write them down, again and again. If you understood the method and concept you will easily memorize the formula.
Study the specimen papers. Use HL past papers from 2014 onwards and the new May ’21 and Nov ’21 exam papers. For paper 3, look into also practicing IB MYP paper 3.
BE AWARE OF HOW YOU WILL BE MARKED BY EXAMINERS
Important annotations are:
- M1 indicates a Method Mark,
- A1 indicates an Achievement Mark
- R1 a Reasoning Mark.
- AG indicates “As Given” and appears in the answer. So , no mark will be given.
- If a mark is shown in brackets, e.g., (M1), it implies that the “mark can be given even if the method has not been shown but is implied by subsequent student working”.
WHEN STUDYING FOR YOUR EXAMS, PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO SPECIFIC TOPICS
- Binominal theorem with fractional exponents
- Graphs of y = |f(x)|, f(|x|), (f(x))2, f(ax + b), 1/f(x)
- DeMoivre Theorem in complex numbers
- Rational functions in more depth
- Differential equations
- MacLaurin Series
GO THROUGH YOUR EXAM METHODICALLY
During the exam, I propose that you do Algebra questions first, followed by Geometry, Functions and Calculus.
BE CAREFUL AND MINDFUL OF THE COMMAND TERMS
Read all questions carefully, paying attention to command terms.
Refer to IBO’s IBDP Mathematics Analysis Approaches subject guide HERE and go to pages 89-90 for the list of command terms commonly used in exams.
CONCISE, CLEAR, AND CORRECT
Keep your answers as short and clear as possible. Double-check all numerical values and units. All numerical answers should be given in three significant figures.
