| Component | Max | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 100 | 37 | 53 | 67 | 80 |
| Internal assessment | 20 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 |
| Paper 1 | 80 | 29 | 42 | 53 | 64 |
| Paper 2 | 80 | 29 | 42 | 53 | 62 |
SL Paper 1
Many routine parts were done well, but missing brackets when subtracting or squaring, unsimplified answers, double-angle work, parallel gradients and logarithmic transformations cost marks.
Found difficult
- conditional probability
- surds
- double angle identities
- tangents and normals
- transformations of functions
- laws of logarithms
Well prepared
- arcs and sectors
- sine and cosine rules
- arithmetic and geometric sequences
- equations of lines
- area between curves
- logarithms
- differentiation
- volume and surface area of solids
| Q | Topic | How it went | Where marks were lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | mode, range, median and IQR | Answered well | gave the range as an interval rather than a differenceTip: Range and IQR are single numbers found by subtraction. |
| 2 | sector radius and perimeter | Answered well | algebra errors finding r; left r as 96/1.5Tip: Simplify divisions like 96/1.5 to a final number. |
| 3 | union and conditional probability with complements | Mixed | assumed independence; wrong intersection with complements; left answers like 0.15/0.55 unsimplifiedTip: Use a Venn diagram to find intersections involving complements; write fractions with integers. |
| 4 | algebraic proof of a multiple of 12 | Mixed | expanded (3n + 2)^2 as 9n^2 + 4; dropped brackets when subtracting; tested values instead of provingTip: Expand fully, bracket the expression you subtract, and prove for general n. |
| 5 | cosine rule and double angle identity | Mixed | assumed cos theta is half of cos 2thetaTip: Use cos 2theta = 2cos^2 theta - 1 to get cos theta from cos 2theta. |
| 6 | arithmetic sequence and series equations | Mixed | used 16 as the 25th or first term; algebra errors solving the system; found u1 unnecessarilyTip: Write the nth term and sum formulas with the given n values; you may not need every unknown. |
| 7 | quadratic, area between curves and a parallel tangent | Mixed | lost the negative when squaring; missing brackets subtracting functions; did not integrate; did not set derivative equal to -2Tip: Parallel lines have equal gradients: set the derivative equal to the given gradient. |
| 8 | log values, inverse and transformations of a log function | Most struggled | left log2 32 unsimplified; ignored log notation for the inverse; misapplied log laws to 64x^3Tip: Split log(ab) into log a + log b, and remember a power applies only to its own base. |
| 9 | cone surface area, volume and optimisation with surds | Most struggled | used radius 3r; did not express h in terms of r; could not simplify radicalsTip: Eliminate h using the constraint before differentiating, then simplify carefully. |
What to practise
- Simplify answers that are integers and write fractions with integer parts.
- If arithmetic becomes long, recheck; Paper 1 avoids heavy calculation.
- Keep fractions rather than converting to decimals.
- Always use brackets when subtracting or squaring expressions.
SL Paper 2
Graph features, binomial coefficients, integration links, binomial recognition and regression were good, but domains on sketches, formula-based distributions, log domains, right-angle trigonometry, maximum acceleration, distance and frequency-table statistics were weak.
Found difficult
- sketching graphs
- discrete probability distributions
- domain and range
- discriminant
- graphing on the GDC
- right-angled trigonometry
- kinematics
- standard deviation from a frequency table
Well prepared
- key features of graphs
- binomial expansion
- integration
- discrete probability distributions
- binomial distribution
- linear regression
- trigonometric graphs
| Q | Topic | How it went | Where marks were lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | function values, zeros and sketch on a domain | Answered well | tried analytical solving; sketch went outside the domain or showed false asymptotes; plotted a maximum different from the one foundTip: Mark endpoints of the domain and use the axis scale when plotting turning points. |
| 2 | coefficient in a binomial product | Mixed | missing brackets; wrote (2x)^6 as 2x^6; gave only the binomial coefficient or the whole termTip: Apply the power to every factor in the bracket: (2x)^6 = 64x^6. |
| 3 | integration with a boundary condition | Mixed | integrated e^(4x) as e^(4x) or 4e^(4x); did not write the final h(x)Tip: The integral of e^(4x) is e^(4x)/4; finish by writing the full function. |
| 4 | probability distribution given by a formula | Most struggled | summed probabilities for E(X); unfamiliar with a formula-based distributionTip: Tabulate P(X = x) from the formula, then use E(X) = sum of x P(x). |
| 5 | gradient as an angle and right-angle trigonometry | Most struggled | took tan^-1(7/12) as the angle wrongly; used the sine rule in right triangles; assumed B, D, F collinearTip: A gradient is rise over run, equal to tan of the angle with the horizontal. |
| 6 | log domain requiring a quadratic to stay positive | Most struggled | set the function to zero instead of requiring a positive argument; split the log of a sum; used the quadratic formula instead of the GDCTip: A log is defined only for positive arguments; for all x, require a negative discriminant. |
| 7 | binomial, conditional probability and grouped data statistics | Mixed | P(X <= 200) instead of P(X <= 199); wrong intersection in the conditional; wrong midpoints; used np(1 - p) for grouped data varianceTip: Enter midpoints with frequencies in GDC one-variable statistics for mean and standard deviation. |
| 8 | population models: regression, extrapolation and rates | Most struggled | used two points instead of regression; ignored units in millions; judged reliability by r instead of noting extrapolation; gave t instead of a yearTip: Interpret gradients with units, and call predictions outside the data extrapolation. |
| 9 | sum of trigonometric functions and kinematics | Mixed | summed functions algebraically instead of using the graph; negative c despite c > 0; left the amplitude of v unsimplified; set v = 0 for maximum accelerationTip: Read amplitude, period and shift from the graph and check the given parameter conditions. |
What to practise
- Write the equation or distribution before the GDC answer to show method.
- Use the GDC for roots, frequency-table statistics and probabilities.
- Practise interpreting real-life models and key terms.
- Follow accuracy rules and work with units.
- Write formulas in context, e.g. a conditional probability with the actual events.
Internal assessment
What moderators raised about the exploration this session, criterion by criterion.
- A. lack of concision, work not pitched to a classmate, and missing citations
- B. graphs without lead-in or follow-up, small text, asterisks and computer notation
- C. some schools still reward effort rather than mathematical engagement
- D. generic reflection that does not shape the next steps
- E. advanced methods such as Lagrange interpolation used without showing understanding
- E. models fitted by software without justifying the function or 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 November 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 November 2024 TZ2?
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The questions most candidates struggled with were on log values, inverse and transformations of a log function, cone surface area, volume and optimisation with surds, probability distribution given by a formula and gradient as an angle and right-angle trigonometry. The tables above list every question discussed in the report, paper by paper.
What did candidates find difficult in November 2024 TZ2?
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Across the papers the examiners listed conditional probability, surds, double angle identities, tangents and normals, transformations of functions, laws of logarithms, sketching graphs and discrete probability distributions, among others.
What were the grade boundaries for Maths AA SL November 2024 TZ2?
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Maths AA SL: a 7 from 80 out of 100 overall in November 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.