IB Maths AA tutoring, SL and HL
Analysis and Approaches is the IB maths course for students heading towards maths, engineering, physics and economics degrees, and HL is one of the hardest subjects in the Diploma. Our tutors teach the algebra, calculus and proof it rests on, then the exam technique for each paper.
One-to-one from $12 a class ยท billed in USD
Online - IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches
What every programme includes
- โ SL and HL: functions, calculus, trigonometry, vectors and statistics
- โ Proof by induction and contradiction for HL
- โ Paper 1 without a calculator: fluency and exact answers
- โ Paper 3 (HL): extended problem solving under time
- โ The mathematical exploration (IA): topic, structure and criteria
- โ Past papers marked against IB markschemes
Lesson times in your time zone
Weekdays 3pm-9pm after school ยท Weekends 8am-8pm, your local time. Pick the slot when you book.
How IB Maths AA is assessed
At SL, students sit two 90-minute papers worth 40% each: Paper 1 without a calculator and Paper 2 with one. At HL, Papers 1 and 2 last two hours each and are worth 30% apiece, and Paper 3, a one-hour paper of two extended problem-solving questions, adds 20%. At both levels the mathematical exploration, an independent investigation marked by the teacher and moderated by the IB, is the remaining 20%.
That structure rewards two different skills: fast, accurate technique for the short questions, and the stamina to follow a long, unfamiliar problem through several linked parts, which is what Paper 3 and the end of every paper test.
Where AA marks are lost
Marked papers show the same patterns year after year:
- โ Algebra slips inside long calculus answers
- โ Paper 1 answers left in decimal form when an exact value is required
- โ Proofs with a gap in the logic, or an induction step that is asserted rather than shown
- โ Graphing calculator use that skips the working the markscheme credits
- โ An exploration that is a textbook exercise rather than a personal investigation
SL or HL, and AA or AI?
AA suits students who enjoy algebraic reasoning and need a strong maths base at university; Applications and Interpretation (AI) leans towards modelling, statistics and technology. Many engineering, physics and maths courses ask for AA HL, so check the requirements of the courses on your child's list before the DP1 choice is fixed. We give an honest view after a marked diagnostic.
IB Maths AA exams
| Component | SL | HL |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (no calculator) | 90 min, 80 marks, 40% | 120 min, 110 marks, 30% |
| Paper 2 (calculator) | 90 min, 80 marks, 40% | 120 min, 110 marks, 30% |
| Paper 3 (problem solving) | - | 60 min, 55 marks, 20% |
| Mathematical exploration (IA) | 20% | 20% |
A DP2 plan for a 6 or 7
- 1
September-October
Final exploration draft against the criteria, and a timed diagnostic paper.
- 2
November-December
Calculus and proof rebuilt from the errors on that diagnostic.
- 3
January-February
Mock exams, then topic-by-topic repair of every lost mark.
- 4
March-April
Full timed papers each week, including Paper 3 for HL students.
- 5
May
Short sessions before each paper.
Tutors for this programme
Stephen Mc Cormack
PGCE Primary(3-11), Cardiff Metropolitan University
15 yrs experience
AP ยท IB ยท SAT
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Muhammad Mahmood Aslam Bhutta
PhD-qualified Mechanical Engineer, Graz University of technology, Graz , Austria
25 yrs experience
US school
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Abdi Musa
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, University of Washington Bothell
4 yrs experience
GCSE / A-Level (UK)
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What IB tutoring costs in Dubai and Singapore
IB, IGCSE and A-Level specialists in Dubai
AED 200-450+ an hour
Source: Bestimate: tutoring costs in Dubai, 2026IB and JC tuition: full-time tutors
S$60-90 an hour
Source: SmartWealth: average tuition rates in Singapore, 2026IB and JC tuition: ex or current MOE teachers
S$90-150 an hour
Source: SmartWealth: average tuition rates in Singapore, 2026EagleTeach, one-to-one online
From $12 a class
Billed in USD, converted at an approximate rate. Two free demo classes first.
Common questions
Is IB Maths AA HL hard?๏ผ
It is one of the most demanding Diploma subjects: three papers, including the problem-solving Paper 3, plus the exploration. Students who are fluent in algebra before DP1 find it far more manageable.
What is Paper 3 in IB Maths AA?๏ผ
An HL-only, one-hour paper of two extended problem-solving questions, worth 20% of the grade. Each question builds through several parts, so it rewards stamina and careful reading.
How much is the IB Maths exploration worth?๏ผ
20% of the final grade at both SL and HL. It is marked by the teacher against published criteria and moderated by the IB.
Can a tutor help with the exploration?๏ผ
Yes, within IB rules: choosing a workable topic, understanding the criteria and acting on the teacher's feedback. The exploration must be the student's own work.
Is a calculator allowed in AA Paper 1?๏ผ
No. Paper 1 is calculator-free at both SL and HL; Paper 2 and HL Paper 3 allow one.
Should my child take AA or AI?๏ผ
AA suits algebra-heavy degrees such as maths, engineering and physics; AI suits students who prefer modelling and statistics. Check the maths requirements of the university courses on your child's list.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 2026-10-02.
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