IB Maths AA vs AI, SL vs HL: Choosing, Papers and Revision
IB Diploma students have to choose between two maths courses, Analysis and Approaches (AA) and Applications and Interpretation (AI), each at Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL). The choice affects university options, how many hours your child spends on maths, and what kind of maths they will be tested on. It is often made quickly at the start of Grade 11, on hearsay about which course is "easier".
This guide explains who each course suits, how SL and HL differ, how the current exams and the internal assessment work (with the numbers checked against the IB's own documents), what is changing in the revised courses first examined in 2029, the topic areas, the mistakes that cost marks most often, a term-by-term revision plan, how to use the graphic display calculator well, and how to approach the exploration honestly.
AA or AI: which course suits which student
Both courses are real, demanding mathematics, and both are offered at SL and HL. The difference is emphasis.
Analysis and Approaches (AA) is built around algebra, functions and calculus, with a strong emphasis on constructing, communicating and justifying mathematical arguments. One of its papers is taken without any calculator. It suits students who enjoy algebraic manipulation and proof, and who are heading towards mathematics, engineering, physics, computer science or economics courses that are mathematically heavy.
Applications and Interpretation (AI) focuses on modelling real situations, statistics and the use of technology. Every paper requires a graphic display calculator, and much of the thinking is about choosing a model and interpreting results in context. It suits students heading towards social sciences, business, psychology, biology, medicine-related or design courses, and students who find algebra-heavy work a barrier but are comfortable with data.
A useful test: give your child a page of algebraic proof and a page of data analysis. The one they would rather spend an evening on is usually a good guide, as long as it also fits their university plans.
SL or HL
The IB recommends 150 teaching hours for an SL subject and 240 for HL. HL is not SL with harder questions; it adds a substantial body of extra content (the IB calls it additional higher level content) and a third exam paper.
In AA HL, the extra content includes complex numbers, proof by induction and by contradiction, vectors, differential equations and Maclaurin series. In AI HL, it includes matrices, vectors, graph theory and differential equations, among other topics. Most IB students take three HL subjects, so choosing maths at HL means it will take a large share of your child's time for two years.
University requirements, in general terms
Universities set their own subject requirements, and they change, so there is no single rule. As a general pattern, mathematically intensive degrees often ask for AA HL, some accept AI HL for certain courses, and many other degrees are satisfied with either course at SL. Before choosing, look up the admissions page for two or three courses your child is seriously considering, in each country they are considering, and check what maths course and level each one asks for. If your child is undecided between a maths-heavy degree and something else, AA keeps more doors open.
How the current courses are assessed
The current courses were first examined in 2021. Students sitting their final exams in 2027 and 2028 follow these courses; check with the school if your child's timeline is different.
| Component | SL | HL |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 90 minutes, 40% | 120 minutes, 30% |
| Paper 2 | 90 minutes, 40% | 120 minutes, 30% |
| Paper 3 | Not taken | 60 minutes, 20% |
| Internal assessment (the exploration) | 20% | 20% |
Calculators. In AA, Paper 1 is taken with no technology; Paper 2 and Paper 3 require a graphic display calculator (GDC). In AI, a GDC is required on every paper; Paper 1 is short-response questions and Paper 2 extended-response questions. In both courses, SL papers carry 80 marks each and HL Papers 1 and 2 carry 110 each.
Paper format. In AA, Papers 1 and 2 each have a Section A of compulsory short-response questions and a Section B of compulsory extended-response questions. In both courses, HL Paper 3 has two compulsory extended-response problem-solving questions worth 55 marks in total, and usually leads the student through an unfamiliar idea in stages.
The exploration. The internal assessment is an individual written exploration of an area of mathematics, marked out of 20 by the teacher and moderated by the IB. It counts for 20% at both levels. The current guide suggests it should be roughly 12 to 20 pages, double spaced, including diagrams and graphs but excluding the bibliography, and stresses that quality matters more than length. It is assessed against five criteria: presentation, mathematical communication, personal engagement, reflection and use of mathematics. A student who does not submit an exploration does not receive a grade for the course.
Each subject in the Diploma is graded from 1 to 7.
What changes with the revised courses (first assessment 2029)
The IB has published revised subject briefs for both courses with first assessment in 2029, so students starting the Diploma from 2027 will follow the new versions. Both courses stay, both remain at SL and HL, and the overall weightings stay the same: 80% external exams and 20% exploration, with SL taking 3 hours of exams and HL 5 hours.
- Structure. Each course is organised into five topics. AA: number and algebra, functions, geometry, probability and statistics, and calculus. AI: functions, number and algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, and calculus.
- Papers. In AA, Paper 1 is still no technology and Papers 2 and 3 require technology. In AI, all papers still require technology. HL Paper 3 remains one hour with two compulsory extended-response questions.
- The exploration. It is still the mathematical exploration at 20%, but the recommended time rises to 30 hours (the current guide suggests around 10 to 15 hours of teaching time), and the criteria are now the same for SL and HL: problem specification (4 marks), abstraction (6), computation (4) and interpretation (6). These follow the four stages of what the IB calls the mathematical inquiry process.
Full revised guides are available to schools through the IB, so if your child starts the Diploma in 2027 or later, ask the school for the details that apply to them.
Topic areas in the current courses
Both current courses cover five topics: number and algebra, functions, geometry and trigonometry, statistics and probability, and calculus. The balance differs.
| Topic | AA emphasis | AI emphasis |
|---|---|---|
| Number and algebra | Sequences, logarithms, binomial theorem; at HL, complex numbers and proof | Financial maths, approximation; at HL, matrices |
| Functions | Graphs, transformations, rational and trigonometric functions, solving analytically | Modelling with linear, exponential and other functions using technology |
| Geometry and trigonometry | Trigonometric identities and equations; at HL, vectors in three dimensions | Applied trigonometry, Voronoi diagrams; at HL, vectors and graph theory |
| Statistics and probability | Distributions, conditional probability, regression | Larger share: hypothesis tests, correlation, distributions |
| Calculus | The largest topic: differentiation, integration, kinematics; at HL, differential equations and Maclaurin series | Applied calculus and optimisation; at HL, differential equations and modelling |
Mistakes that cost marks most often
These are patterns worth checking in your child's practice papers.
- Wrong accuracy. IB papers state that, unless a question says otherwise, numerical answers must be exact or correct to three significant figures. Rounding intermediate values too early is the usual cause of an answer that is "nearly right" and loses the mark.
- Bare GDC answers. The instructions say that solutions found on a GDC should be supported by suitable working, for example a sketch of the graphs used. A number with no working may earn little, and if it is wrong earns nothing.
- Ignoring command terms. "Show that" needs every step, because the answer is given. "Hence" means use the previous part. "Write down" means little or no working is needed. Misreading these wastes time or loses method marks.
- Weak non-calculator algebra in AA. Paper 1 exposes students who rely on the GDC: fraction and surd manipulation, exact trigonometric values, and logarithm laws all need to be fluent by hand.
- Not interpreting in context. In AI especially, a correct statistic followed by no conclusion, or a conclusion that ignores the context, gives away marks.
- Units, radians and degrees. A calculator left in the wrong angle mode ruins an entire calculus or trigonometry question.
- Running out of time in Section B. Students often spend too long on early short questions. Practise with timed papers and move on from a stuck question.
Using the GDC well
For AI, and for AA Papers 2 and 3, the GDC is part of the skill being tested. The IB sets rules on which calculators can be used in exams, so use the model your child's school approves and practise on that exact model from the start of the course.
The functions to master:
- Graphing, with sensible windows, and finding intersections, zeros, maxima and minima.
- Solving equations numerically, including ones with no algebraic method.
- Numerical derivatives at a point and definite integrals.
- Statistics: summary statistics, regression, and probability distributions (binomial and normal), plus hypothesis tests for AI.
- Sequences and financial calculations where the course uses them.
Then practise writing down what the calculator did: the equation solved, a sketch of the graph with the point marked, or the distribution and parameters used. That turns a GDC answer into a fully credited answer.
The exploration: practical advice and academic honesty
The exploration is 20% of the grade and entirely within your child's control, which makes it one of the most valuable pieces of work in the course.
- Choose a focused question, not a broad topic. "Modelling the cooling of tea" is a topic; "Which model fits the cooling of tea in a paper cup most closely, and how good is Newton's law of cooling here?" is a question with an answer.
- Use mathematics at the level of the course. The guide says the mathematics should be similar to the syllabus. Going beyond it is not penalised, but copying mathematics your child does not understand shows immediately.
- Make it personal and genuine. Own data, own decisions and own reflection score better than a textbook topic rewritten.
- Reflect throughout, not only in the conclusion: why this method, what the limitations are, what would change the result.
- Keep to school deadlines for the topic, draft and final version.
Where the line is. The IB guide is explicit that the exploration must be the student's own work: the writing and calculations must be their own, sources must be cited, and each student must collect their own data. Teachers point out errors but are not meant to correct them. Authenticity can be checked through the proposal, the draft, the references, the writing style and plagiarism software.
A tutor can teach the mathematics your child needs to understand their chosen area, explain what each criterion rewards, and ask questions that sharpen their thinking. A tutor must not choose the topic, write or rewrite any part, do calculations or analysis, or correct the draft. Any tutor who offers to do more is putting your child's Diploma at risk. The same principles apply to science internal assessments and the Extended Essay, which our IB Physics SL/HL, IA and EE guide covers.
A revision plan by term
This assumes a two-year Diploma with final exams in May. Adjust it to your school's calendar.
| Period | Focus |
|---|---|
| DP1, first term | Secure algebra, functions and trigonometry. Set up the GDC and learn its core functions. Start a formula and mistakes notebook alongside the IB formula booklet. |
| DP1, second term | Keep up with new topics weekly. After each unit, do past-paper questions on that topic from both Section A and Section B. Begin noting possible exploration ideas. |
| Summer between DP1 and DP2 | Revise DP1 topics that tests showed were weak. Choose the exploration question and plan data collection, following school deadlines. |
| DP2, first term | Calculus and the remaining topics. Write the exploration draft. Start mixed-topic timed practice, one paper a fortnight. |
| DP2, mock examinations | Full timed papers under exam conditions. Mark with official mark schemes and log every lost mark by cause: accuracy, algebra, command term, time or concept. |
| Final eight to ten weeks | Work on the causes from the log, not the easiest topics. Alternate calculator and non-calculator papers (AA). For HL, practise Paper 3 separately, since its long, guided questions need their own rhythm. |
For families in Gurgaon
Many IB students in Gurgaon study at international schools along Golf Course Road, Golf Course Extension Road and in the newer sectors, and HL maths is a common reason families look for outside support. Tutors who know AA or AI HL well are fewer in any one area, so online classes widen the choice, while a tutor who lives nearby can make weekly home classes practical. Our page for IB Maths tutors in Gurgaon and our parent's guide to IB and IGCSE tutoring in Gurgaon go into local options, and all subjects are on the Gurugram tutors page.
How NXTutors can help
Tell us whether your child takes AA or AI, at SL or HL, and whether they need help with exam papers, the exploration's mathematics, or both. We shortlist two or three tutors, you see each tutor's fee before the demo, and the first class is a free demo. Switching tutor later is free. We offer home tutoring across Gurugram and online tutoring across India.
Across NXTutors, most home-tuition sessions fall between ₹800 and ₹2,500 an hour; Classes 11–12, IB/IGCSE and JEE/NEET sit toward the upper end; specialists for IB HL or JEE Advanced can charge more. Our pricing guide explains what moves a fee. Before the demo, our demo class checklist helps you judge the fit, and our home vs online tutor guide helps with the format.
Frequently asked questions
Is IB Maths AI easier than AA?
IB Maths AI is not simply easier than AA; it swaps much of the algebra and proof for modelling, statistics and interpretation, which some students find harder. Both are real, demanding mathematics at SL and HL. The more useful question is which course matches your child's strengths and university plans: AA suits algebra and proof, while AI suits data, modelling and technology.
Can my child switch from HL to SL, or from AA to AI, in IB Maths?
Switching IB Maths level or course is often possible early in DP1, subject to the school's timetable and its own policies. Moving later is harder, because content and coursework have moved on by then. If you are unsure, ask the Diploma coordinator early, and check what the university courses your child is considering ask for before deciding.
How much does the IB Maths exploration count?
The IB Maths exploration counts for 20% of the final grade at both SL and HL, in the current courses and in the revised courses first examined in 2029. It is marked out of 20 by the teacher and moderated by the IB, and a student who does not submit an exploration does not receive a grade for the course.
Is a calculator allowed in every IB Maths paper?
A calculator is not allowed in every IB Maths paper: in AA, Paper 1 is taken with no technology, while Papers 2 and 3 require a graphic display calculator. In AI, a GDC is required on every paper. Use the model your child's school approves, and practise on that exact model from the start of the course.
Is the IB Maths syllabus changing?
Yes, the IB has published revised subject briefs for IB Maths AA and AI with first assessment in 2029, so students starting the Diploma from 2027 follow the new versions. Students examined in 2027 and 2028 follow the current courses. Both courses and both levels continue, the exploration stays at 20%, and its criteria become common to SL and HL.
How many more hours does IB Maths HL take than SL?
IB Maths HL has 240 recommended teaching hours against 150 at SL, and adds a substantial body of extra content plus a third exam paper. In AA HL that includes complex numbers, proof by induction, vectors and Maclaurin series; in AI HL, matrices, graph theory and differential equations. Most IB students take three HL subjects, so HL maths claims a large share of two years.
Which IB Maths course do universities ask for?
Universities set their own IB Maths requirements, but mathematically intensive degrees often ask for AA HL. Some accept AI HL for certain courses, and many other degrees accept either course at SL. Requirements change, so check the admissions pages of two or three courses your child is seriously considering, in each country. If your child is undecided, AA keeps more doors open.
