| Component | Max | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 100 | 30 | 44 | 59 | 75 |
| Internal assessment | 20 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 |
| Paper 1 | 80 | 21 | 32 | 45 | 58 |
| Paper 2 | 80 | 23 | 34 | 46 | 59 |
SL Paper 1
Reading graphs, inverses, quadratics, tree diagrams and sequences went well, but trigonometric equations, horizontal asymptotes, concavity, integration by substitution and line equations were weak, and algebra slips were widespread.
Found difficult
- trigonometric equations
- asymptotes
- transformations of functions
- concavity
- integration by substitution
- equations of lines
Well prepared
- reading values from graphs
- inverse functions
- quadratic equations
- midpoint
- tree diagrams
- sinusoidal models
- quotient rule
- arithmetic and geometric sequences
| Q | Topic | How it went | Where marks were lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | reading a graph and sketching the inverse | Answered well | could not find f^-1(3); omitted known points on the inverse sketch; reflected in the wrong lineTip: Reflect in y = x and swap the coordinates of every known point on the graph. |
| 2 | trigonometric equation with tan | Most struggled | did not know arctan 1 = 45 degrees; missed the second angle 225 degrees; tried irrelevant identitiesTip: Learn exact values and remember tan repeats every 180 degrees. |
| 3 | quadratic equation and a linked exponential equation | Mixed | missed the link to part (a); left answer as log base 3 of 1/3Tip: Simplify logarithms of exact powers to integers in the final answer. |
| 4 | midpoint, line through origin and triangle area | Mixed | used the gradient of AC instead of OB; forgot the intercept is 0 through the origin; did not use the line to find B's heightTip: Check which two points define the line you need before computing the gradient. |
| 5 | tree diagram leading to a quadratic | Answered well | solved the given quadratic instead of deriving itTip: For show that, build the given equation from the tree probabilities rather than solving it. |
| 6 | horizontal asymptote and number of solutions using the discriminant | Most struggled | wrote H.A. = 2/3 instead of y = 2/3; gave the vertical asymptote; missed two solutions for m > 0; algebra slips in expansionTip: Write asymptotes as equations, and for tangency set the discriminant to zero. |
| 7 | sinusoidal temperature model and scaling | Mixed | did not know sin(5pi/6) = 1/2; treated sin of a product as a product; arithmetic errors scaling by 0.7Tip: Learn exact sine and cosine values at multiples of pi/6. |
| 8 | discriminant, concavity and finding f from f' | Most struggled | omitted the positive leading coefficient; integration and constant errors; substituted into f instead of f'Tip: A quadratic is always positive only if the discriminant is negative and the leading coefficient positive. |
| 9 | logarithmic sequences, arithmetic and geometric | Mixed | did not show a > 0 for the inequality; dropped brackets when subtracting termsTip: Bracket whole expressions when subtracting, e.g. 5 + ln3 - (9 + ln9). |
What to practise
- Practise non-calculator work and organised written solutions.
- Use brackets properly in expressions, especially when subtracting or in the quotient rule.
- Cover every syllabus area.
SL Paper 2
Intersections, areas between curves, logarithms and standard distributions were done well, but probability questions were often skipped, and quartiles, kinematics, binomial inequalities, bounds and accuracy caused trouble.
Found difficult
- probability of combined events
- outliers and IQR
- kinematics
- mean of discrete data
- binomial distribution
- upper and lower bounds
- accuracy and rounding
- answer format
Well prepared
- intersections of graphs
- area between curves
- logarithms
- normal distribution
- binomial distribution
- calculator use
| Q | Topic | How it went | Where marks were lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | quartiles, IQR and outlier test | Mixed | found quartiles by hand incorrectly; did not compare 11.4 with 11.7 to concludeTip: Use the GDC for quartiles and finish an outlier test with an explicit comparison. |
| 2 | intersections and area between curves | Answered well | answers to 2 s.f.; gave values as coordinates; solved intersections by handTip: Find intersections on the GDC and give answers in exactly the form requested. |
| 3 | regression line and mean of data | Mixed | plotted the line to check a point instead of showing it; used the regression line wrongly to find p and q; trial and errorTip: The regression line passes through the means; use the mean formula to form equations. |
| 4 | logarithmic decibel model | Mixed | wrote powers of ten incorrectly; could not manipulate logs or solve on the GDCTip: Rearrange log equations into index form, or solve them graphically on the GDC. |
| 5 | kinematics: maximum velocity, direction change, acceleration | Mixed | GDC in degree mode; set v = 0 for maximum velocity; rounded t too early, giving -2.54Tip: Store full calculator values for t and reuse them to avoid rounding errors. |
| 6 | binomial inequality for at least one success | Most struggled | used 1 - P(X <= 1) instead of 1 - P(X = 0); did not reverse the inequality dividing by a negative logTip: Dividing by a negative logarithm flips the inequality; a GDC table also works. |
| 7 | normal distribution, expected count, binomial and rounding bounds | Mixed | misread within one standard deviation; used normal instead of binomial; computed P(X = 45.6) instead of using boundsTip: A value rounded to 0.1 lies between half-units either side, such as 45.55 to 45.65. |
| 8 | window area and light optimisation | Most struggled | wrote the generic semicircle formula instead of in x; included units as variables; forced the given answer; substituted x into L instead of hTip: Express each area in the question's variables and justify a maximum using the derivative. |
| 9 | triangle geometry with given answers and a motion model | Mixed | premature rounding in a 4 s.f. show-that; used the given value instead of showing it; worked in the wrong triangle; did not go on to find the distanceTip: In show-that parts, keep more figures than the target and never use the given result. |
What to practise
- Practise past SL exam questions and see how they are marked.
- Know exam rules: 2 s.f. and calculator notation are not accepted as final answers.
- Practise justifying statements with valid mathematical reasons.
- Always show working; saying you used the GDC is not enough.
Internal assessment
What moderators raised about the exploration this session, criterion by criterion.
- A. work not pitched at a classmate; mathematics beyond the course not explained
- B. avoidable notation slips such as computer notation, missing subscripts and undefined variables
- C. some schools still reward effort or interest in the context rather than engagement with the mathematics
- D. generic reflection that does not drive the next steps; inconsistencies in own results unnoticed
- E. pages of calculations instead of explaining the meaning of the methods
- E. models chosen by software without justifying the function or its behaviour outside the data
About this summary
After every session the IB sends schools a subject report: how candidates did on each paper and question, and what teachers should work on. This page is my reading of the Maths AA SL report for May 2024 TZ2, in my own words. No text from the report or from the exam questions is reproduced, and it is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate.
Session codes: TZ is the time zone variant of the papers. Other variants of the same session:
Frequently asked questions
Which questions were hardest in Maths AA SL May 2024 TZ2?
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The questions most candidates struggled with were on trigonometric equation with tan, horizontal asymptote and number of solutions using the discriminant, discriminant, concavity and finding f from f' and binomial inequality for at least one success. The tables above list every question discussed in the report, paper by paper.
What did candidates find difficult in May 2024 TZ2?
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Across the papers the examiners listed trigonometric equations, asymptotes, transformations of functions, concavity, integration by substitution, equations of lines, probability of combined events and outliers and IQR, among others.
What were the grade boundaries for Maths AA SL May 2024 TZ2?
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Maths AA SL: a 7 from 75 out of 100 overall in May 2024 TZ2. The component boundaries are in the table on this page.
Is this the official IB subject report?
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No. It is my summary of the report the IB issues to schools after each session, rewritten in my own words with a teacher's reading of it. No text from the report or from exam questions is reproduced. Your school's IB coordinator can access the original.