There are three different Mathematics courses available at the IB level: Mathematics Higher Level, Mathematics Standard Level, and Mathematical Studies. Students must complete one of the three courses to attain an IB Diploma. Entry to Mathematics HL or SL is not automatic, prior performance must indicate that the student can cope with the demands of these courses. Students in these courses must have excellent mental mathematical skills and be able to work problems without a calculator.

Each of the courses is taught over two years and has an internal and external assessment component. Students must own a graphical display calculator to follow the course. The TI–84 or TI-84 Plus Silver Edition are highly recommended. Students in Mathematics Higher Level and Mathematics Standard Level will also need to own TI Connect Software and a USB cable for computer connection.

Mathematics Higher Level is intended for students with excellent mathematical abilities who need advanced mathematics in further studies in the departments of mathematics, engineering, physics, technology, mathematical economics. Some economics courses may also require this subject.

Mathematics Standard Level which is designed to provide a background of mathematical thought and a reasonable mathematical competency for students who will study science and math related subjects.

Mathematical Studies which is intended for students who do not wish to pursue the study of mathematics and who study the subject only as part of their general education.

It is recommended that students only consider the Higher Level course if they are attaining an A grade in the 10th grade extended mathematics course. Similarly, it is recommended that students only consider the Mathematics Standard level course if they are attaining at least a B grade in the 10th grade extended mathematics course.


Mathematics Higher Level

Syllabus

1. Compulsory Core

• Algebra
• Functions and Equations
• Circular Functions and Trigonometry
• Matrices
• Vectors
• Statistics and Probability
• Calculus

2. Option – one topic from:

• Statistics and Probability
• Sets, Relations and Groups
• Series and Differential Equations
• Discrete Mathematics

Assessment

External assessment 80%
Written examination - 5 hours - 3 papers
For Mathematics Higher Level papers IBO formulae booklets may be consulted and graphical display calculators may be used (only on papers 2 & 3).

Paper 1 (2 Hours) No calculator allowed 30%
Section A: Compulsory short response questions based on the core syllabus
Section B: Compulsory extended response questions based on the core syllabus

Paper 2 (2 hours) 30%
Five multiple part questions on the core topics

Paper 3 (1 hour) Graphic Display Calculator (GDC) Required 20%
One question on each of the option topics, one question to be answered.

Internal assessment 20%
The internal assessment requires two portfolio tasks to be submitted, one Mathematical Investigation and one Mathematical Modelling task.


Mathematics Standard Level

Syllabus

• Algebra
• Functions and Equations
• Circular Functions and Trigonometry
• Vector Geometry
• Matrices
• Statistics and Probability
• Calculus

Assessment

External assessment 80%
Written examination - 3 hours - 2 papers
For Mathematics Standard Level papers IBO formulae booklets may be consulted and graphical display calculators may be used (only on paper 2).

Paper 1 (2 hours) No calculator allowed. 40%
Section A: Compulsory short response questions based on the core syllabus
Section B: Compulsory extended response questions based on the core syllabus

Paper 2 (2 hours) Graphic Display Calculator (GDC) required 40%
Section A: Compulsory short response questions based on the core syllabus
Section B: Compulsory extended response questions based on the core syllabus

Internal assessment 20%
The internal assessment requires two portfolio tasks to be submitted, one Mathematical Investigation and one Mathematical Modelling task.


Mathematical Studies

Syllabus

• Using the Graphical Display Calculator
• Number and Algebra
• Sets, Logic and Probability
• Functions
• Geometry and Trigonometry
• Statistics
• Introductory Differential Calculus
• Financial Mathematics

Assessment

External Assessment 80%
Written examination - 3 hours - 2 papers
For Mathematical Studies papers IBO formulae booklets may be consulted and graphical display calculators may be used.

Paper 1 (1.5 hours) Graphic Display Calculator (GDC) required 40%
Fifteen straightforward short answer questions

Paper 2 (1.5 hours) Graphic Display Calculator (GDC) required 40%
Five, multiple part, questions

Internal Assessment 20%
The project is a piece of written work based on personal research involving collection, analysis and evaluation of data. It should not exceed 2000 words excluding diagrams, graphs, appendices and bibliography.