What AA SL actually covers

• Five compulsory topics: Number & Algebra, Functions, Geometry & Trigonometry, Statistics & Probability, and Calculus.

• Suggested SL hours: 19, 21, 25, 27, 28 respectively; total teaching time 150 hours, including 30 hours for inquiry/modelling that lead into the Internal Assessment (IA, the “exploration”).

• You’ll also be expected to know IB’s command terms and notation (they appear in the guide and on exams).

What the exams look like (SL)

• Paper 1 (90 min, 40%) – No calculator. Section A (short-response), Section B (extended-response). 80 marks.

• Paper 2 (90 min, 40%) – Graphic display calculator (GDC) required; not every question uses it. Section A + B. 80 marks.

• Formula booklet – each student must have a clean copy in exams (school provides).

• Marking – method, accuracy, reasoning, interpretation all count; full marks aren’t guaranteed for an unsupported answer—always show working.

• Typical paper instructions include giving exact answers or to 3 s.f. and a reminder to show all working.

The Internal Assessment (IA): “Mathematical Exploration” (20%)

• Individually written investigation; assessed out of 20; internally assessed and externally moderated.

• Marked on five criteria: A) Presentation, B) Mathematical communication, C) Personal engagement, D) Reflection, E) Use of mathematics.

• Purpose & expectations (length, referencing, academic honesty, and what the exploration should develop in students) are outlined in the guide.

What examiners want you to do (Assessment Objectives)

You’ll be assessed on knowledge & understanding, problem solving, communication & interpretation, technology, reasoning, and inquiry approaches—these drive both papers and the IA.

How I’ll help you succeed 

1) Diagnose → Prioritize → Plan

• Run a quick baseline across the five topics to find strengths/gaps, then map study time to IB’s suggested hours so effort matches likely exam weight.

2) Teach for the mark scheme

• Train students to show method and reasoning, not just final answers; we practice structuring solutions so they earn method/communication marks even when stuck.

3) Split-mode exam training

• Paper 1 drills (no GDC): algebraic manipulation, exact values, clean trig, inequalities, proofs/justification.

• Paper 2 drills (with GDC): graphing, solving, regression, calculus checks, and when not to touch the GDC.

4) Formula booklet fluency

• We integrate the formula booklet into homework and mocks so it’s second nature on exam day.

5) IA done right (20%)

• Pick a smart, doable question; plan data/derivations; write to the A–E criteria; reference properly. I’ll give model outlines that satisfy Presentation, show clear Mathematical communication, and build Personal engagement with reflective checkpoints.

6) Weekly accountability

• Short, focused tasks tied to the assessment objectives (e.g., a “communication” rewrite of a solution; a “technology” mini-investigation).

7) Exam-style feedback

• We mark your work like examiners (Section A vs Section B expectations), with timeboxed retakes to convert mistakes into marks.

A practical study roadmap (you can hand this to students)

Phase 1 — Core skills (Weeks 1–6)

• N&A fundamentals → Functions basics → Trig identities and equations.

• Paper 1 minis (15–20 min) twice a week; GDC micro-skills once a week.

Phase 2 — Data & calculus (Weeks 7–10)

• Descriptive stats → probability → limits/derivatives/integration at SL depth.

• Paper 2 sets with GDC workflows (plot → analyze → interpret).

Phase 3 — Exam polish + IA finalize (Weeks 11–12)

• Mixed-topic papers, Section B emphasis; full Paper 1/2 timing runs.

• IA: finalize drafting against A–E with a rubric checklist and bibliography check.

IA “exploration” quick checklist (student handout)

• Clear aim & structure (intro–body–conclusion) with relevant graphs/tables in-line (not stuffed into appendices).

• Concise (no repetitive calculation dumps); technology is encouraged where appropriate.

• Length: roughly 12–20 pages, double-spaced; include a bibliography, cite quotes; follow IB academic honesty.

Exam day habits that earn marks

• On Paper 1, prioritize algebraic clarity; avoid messy arithmetic that invites slip-ups.

• On Paper 2, use the GDC to check—not replace—reasoning; annotate how you used technology.

• Always show working and give exact or 3 s.f. where required.

Why this approach works (ties to IB objectives)

• We train the exact Assessment Objectives IB measures: knowledge, problem solving, communication, technology, reasoning, inquiry—so practice maps directly onto how you’re graded.