Live one-on-one IB lessons on Google Meet, in your time zone
IB Diploma
IB MYP
Cambridge
Pearson Edexcel
SAT and AP
Exam season
IB, IGCSE, GCSE, A Level, SAT and AP, one-on-one on Google Meet
Home › Academics & Courses › IB Diploma › Maths AA
IB MATHS AA
IB Maths AA tutor online for HL and SL
IB Learning Star offers online tutoring for IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches, at Higher Level and Standard Level. Lessons are one-on-one on Google Meet, in your own time zone, with a tutor who knows the AA papers, the calculus and proof topics, and the exploration. Your first class is a free trial.
HL and SL
One-on-one on Google Meet
Lessons in your time zone
Free trial class
THE COURSE
What Analysis and Approaches asks of you
AA is the Diploma maths course for students who like algebra, functions and proof, and who may want maths, physics, engineering or computer science later. It leans on exact values, clear working and confident calculus.
Our tutors are certified IBDP tutors or have completed IBDP training, at least IB Category 2 workshops, and they teach in IB schools.
Two things shape how we teach it. Paper 1 allows no calculator, so algebra and exact values have to be fluent. Marks go to method and reasoning as well as to the final value, so each step needs to be written down.
Some degree courses, including engineering at some universities, ask for Analysis and Approaches at Higher Level, so check the entry requirements for the courses you want. Not sure whether AA or AI suits you? Our guide to Maths AA and AI explains the difference.
This page describes the course examined in May 2027 and May 2028. A new Mathematics guide is first taught from August 2027 and first examined in May 2029, with fewer marks on each paper and new exploration criteria. We will update this page when it applies to your year.
COURSE CONTENT
Maths AA course content
There are five topics at both levels, and Higher Level goes further in each one. The IB recommends 150 teaching hours at Standard Level and 240 at Higher Level, which includes 30 hours for the toolkit and the exploration.
▬ SL hours ▬ HL hours
Topic | Both levels | Higher Level adds | Hours (SL / HL) |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Number and algebra | Sequences and series, financial applications, exponents and logarithms, the binomial theorem, simple proof, sums of infinite geometric series | Counting principles, partial fractions, complex numbers, proof by induction and by contradiction, systems of linear equations | 19 / 39 |
2. Functions | Straight lines, composite and inverse functions, quadratics, exponential and logarithmic functions, transformations of graphs | Polynomial and rational functions, odd and even functions, inequalities, graphs of modulus and reciprocal functions | 21 / 32 |
3. Geometry and trigonometry | Volume and surface area in three dimensions, trigonometry in triangles, radians, the unit circle, identities, circular functions, trigonometric equations | Reciprocal and inverse trigonometric functions, compound angle identities, vectors, scalar and vector products, lines and planes | 25 / 51 |
4. Statistics and probability | Sampling, descriptive statistics, correlation and regression, probability and conditional probability, binomial and normal distributions | Bayes’ theorem, continuous random variables, mean and variance of random variables | 27 / 33 |
5. Calculus | Limits, differentiation, tangents, maxima and minima, kinematics, integration, area under a curve | Differentiation from first principles, implicit differentiation, integration by substitution and by parts, volumes of revolution, first-order differential equations, Maclaurin series | 28 / 55 |
ASSESSMENT
The Maths AA papers
Standard Level has two papers and an exploration. Higher Level has three papers and an exploration.
Component | Standard Level | Higher Level |
|---|---|---|
Paper 1 (no calculator) | 1 hour 30, 80 marks, 40% | 2 hours, 110 marks, 30% |
Paper 2 (calculator) | 1 hour 30, 80 marks, 40% | 2 hours, 110 marks, 30% |
Paper 3 (calculator) | Not taken | 1 hour, 55 marks, 20% |
Exploration (internal assessment) | 20 marks, 20% | 20 marks, 20% |
WEIGHTING OF THE FINAL GRADE
Paper 1: no calculator
A section of short-response questions and a section of extended-response questions, both across the whole course. Questions lean on analytic methods rather than calculator work, which is why we spend time early on algebra, exact values and clean working.
Paper 2: calculator
The same two-section layout, with a graphic display calculator required. Not every question needs it, so part of the skill is knowing when it helps and when an exact method is quicker.
Paper 3: Higher Level only
Two compulsory extended-response problem-solving questions, each developing from a single theme and leading to a generalisation or the interpretation of a context. A calculator is required, though not every part needs it. It rewards students who can explain each step.
DIAGNOSTIC
✦
Where Maths AA students lose marks
In a diagnostic lesson, these are the places we look first.
Proof and “show that” questions.
The target is given, so every step has to be visible and correct.
Calculus in context.
Optimisation, related rates, kinematics and volumes ask you to build the model before you differentiate or integrate.
Vectors at Higher Level.
Lines and planes in three dimensions need a clear diagram and careful notation.
Probability and distributions.
Conditional probability, the normal distribution and inverse problems lose marks when the setup is rushed.
Unfamiliar problems.
Paper 3 and the last parts of Papers 1 and 2 reward a method for getting started, which we teach on purpose.
THE EXPLORATION
Coaching for the Maths AA exploration (IA)
The exploration is worth 20% of your grade at both levels. It is marked out of 20 on five criteria: presentation, mathematical communication, personal engagement, reflection and use of mathematics.
In lessons we help you pick a topic that suits your interests and the maths you can handle, plan the mathematics and the structure, read your draft against the criteria and prepare the reflection.
GETTING STARTED
What your first month of lessons looks like
Week 1.
A diagnostic lesson on exam-style questions, then a plan that lists your strongest and weakest topics.
Weeks 2 and 3.
Lessons on the topics that lose you the most marks, each with a short set of exam-style questions to try before the next lesson.
Week 4.
A timed section of a paper with detailed feedback on working, then an updated plan for the months ahead.
Lessons are one-on-one on Google Meet, at times that suit your time zone. We use GeoGebra and Desmos to explore graphs and check ideas.
Maths AA or Maths AI?
AA suits students who enjoy algebra, calculus and proof. AI suits students who prefer statistics and modelling with technology. If you are choosing between them, start with our guide.
Extended Essay and TOK
Many Maths students choose a Maths Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge often uses maths as an example of knowing. We offer tutoring for both.
FAQ
Before you book
How is IB Maths AA different from AI?
−
AA focuses on algebra, functions, calculus and proof. AI focuses on statistics, modelling and applications, with more use of technology. Both have Standard Level and Higher Level, and both lead to the same Diploma. Our guide compares them in detail.
Is Higher Level much harder than Standard Level?
+
Higher Level has about 90 more teaching hours, a third paper and more content, including proof by induction, complex numbers and further calculus. Many students handle it well with steady practice and early help on the topics where they lose marks.
Which paper has no calculator?
+
Paper 1 at both levels. Papers 2 and 3 require a graphic display calculator.
Do you help with the Maths AA exploration?
+
Yes. We help with choosing a topic, planning the mathematics, reading your draft against the criteria and preparing for the reflection.
Who teaches the lessons?
+
Your tutor is a certified IBDP tutor or has completed IBDP training, at least IB Category 2 workshops, and teaches in an IB school. We match the tutor to your course and level.
Will lessons fit my time zone?
+
Yes. Lessons are one-on-one on Google Meet and we plan them around your school day, wherever you are.
How do I start?
+
Book a free trial class. We use it to see where you are, then suggest a plan and a lesson schedule.
✦
Book a free trial class for Maths AA
Tell us your level (SL or HL), your exam year and the topics that worry you most. We will plan the first lesson around them.
✦