| Component | Max | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 100 | 40 | 53 | 67 | 80 |
SL Paper 1
Routine items such as expected value, linear systems and quadratics went well, but integration with a known point, probability without independence, logarithms with different bases and powers of e caused problems, along with weak fraction and decimal arithmetic.
Found difficult
- integration with boundary conditions
- independent and mutually exclusive events
- transformations of functions
- laws of logarithms
- area between curves
- exponential equations
- conditional probability
- domain and range
Well prepared
- discrete probability distributions
- simultaneous equations
- quadratic equations
- sine and cosine rules
- arithmetic and geometric sequences
- integration
| Q | Topic | How it went | Where marks were lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | discrete distribution and expected value | Mixed | did not see X > 1.5 means X = 2, 3, 4; divided the expected value by 4; decimal arithmetic errorsTip: For discrete X, translate an inequality into the list of allowed integer values. |
| 2 | finding a curve from its gradient and a point | Most struggled | substituted the point into the gradient; differentiated instead of integrating; did not know cos pi and sin piTip: Integrate the gradient, then use the point to find the constant. |
| 3 | arithmetic sequence equations | Mixed | used the sum formula for the sum of two termsTip: Adding two terms means u6 + u12, not a series sum S_n. |
| 4 | intersection and conditional probability | Most struggled | found the union instead of the intersection; assumed independence; substituted the union for the intersection; fraction errorsTip: Both events occurring means the intersection; do not multiply unless independence is given. |
| 5 | rational function parameters, asymptotes and transformations | Mixed | incomplete descriptions of transformationsTip: For each transformation, state its type, direction and size. |
| 6 | logarithmic equation with different bases | Most struggled | wrote 3 log(10x) as log(10x^3); algebra errors after changing baseTip: A power outside a log applies to the whole argument: 3 log(10x) = log(1000x^3). |
| 7 | cosine rule, quadratic and triangle area | Mixed | did not know cos 60 degrees; algebra errors; left 20 root 3 / 2 unsimplifiedTip: Simplify the equation before solving, and simplify the final surd answer. |
| 8 | discriminant, axis of symmetry, normal and area | Most struggled | did not state the discriminant is negative; axis not written as x = -5; could not find the normal; substituted only one limitTip: Evaluate a definite integral at both limits and subtract. |
| 9 | exponential rational function: intercepts, range and derivative | Most struggled | confused intercepts; did not use the given maximum for the range; differentiated e^(2x) wrongly; could not solve the derivative equationTip: Use given points like a maximum to state the range, and treat e^x equations as quadratics. |
What to practise
- Practise IB-style questions and command terms; show full working.
- Never work backwards from a given result; use earlier parts when told.
- Simplify final answers fully.
- Practise routine non-calculator arithmetic with decimals and fractions.
- Present work neatly and cross out unwanted working.
SL Paper 2
Regression, bearings, the sine rule, sectors, 3D formulae and basic finance were secure, but accuracy, lines through two points, multi-solution trigonometry, normal parameter problems, kinematics distance, geometric sequences in context and show-that rigour were weak.
Found difficult
- accuracy and rounding
- equations of lines
- trigonometric equations
- communicating reasoning
- normal distribution
- kinematics
- calculator use
- arithmetic and geometric sequences
- show-that questions
Well prepared
- linear regression
- bearings
- sine and cosine rules
- arcs and sectors
- volume and surface area of solids
- compound interest
| Q | Topic | How it went | Where marks were lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | regression and a line through the mean point and origin | Mixed | gave the regression line instead; non-zero intercept for a line through the origin; truncated or rounded valuesTip: A line through the origin has no constant term; its gradient is y over x at the point. |
| 2 | bearings and the sine rule | Answered well | calculator in radian modeTip: Check the calculator is in degrees for bearing problems. |
| 3 | double angle identity and trigonometric equation | Most struggled | gave only one solution; gave sin x instead of x; rearranged by hand at lengthTip: Graph both sides on the GDC over the domain to find every solution. |
| 4 | effect of new data on the median and conditions on values | Mixed | treated new marks as outliers and ignored themTip: Every added data value shifts the median position; recount before deciding. |
| 5 | sector perimeter and area equation | Mixed | worked backwards; forgot to square r; rearranged unnecessarily before using the GDC; gave two solutions instead of oneTip: Substitute r squared correctly and reject solutions that do not fit the context. |
| 6 | normal distribution with related variables | Most struggled | did not relate the z-value back to the variable; solved simultaneous equations by hand with errorsTip: Write each condition as a z-equation in mu and sigma and solve them on the GDC. |
| 7 | savings plans with interest | Mixed | converted monthly and annual rates wrongly; could not write the required expression; assumed the plan ended at 5 yearsTip: Match the rate to the compounding period exactly as stated in the question. |
| 8 | 3D geometry and show-that results | Most struggled | assumed l = 8; poor algebraic manipulation in show-that partsTip: In show-that parts, write each algebraic step clearly from the formulae. |
| 9 | bouncing motion with geometric sequences | Most struggled | could not graph the function or find the maximum derivative on the GDC; did not double each interval's maximum distance; integrated |s| insteadTip: Total distance for repeated bounces is a geometric sum counting each rise and fall. |
What to practise
- Read carefully and draw labelled diagrams.
- Round only at the end and keep at least 5 s.f. in intermediate values.
- Write every logical step in show-that questions, including words.
- Use the GDC when algebra is unnecessary and let mark allocation guide time.
- Practise Section B contextual questions and past papers.
Internal assessment
What moderators raised about the exploration this session, criterion by criterion.
- A. overlong explanations, large data tables and repeated calculations; missing citations
- B. graphs or tables inserted without explanation, unlabelled axes, computer symbols
- C. stated enthusiasm or own data alone does not show mathematical engagement
- D. results summarised instead of critically evaluating methods and assumptions
- E. advanced methods like Lagrange interpolation or differential equations used without understanding
- E. software outputs and formulas applied without justifying the model
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 2025 TZ3, 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. Corrections: pietro@pietromeloni.com.
Frequently asked questions
Which questions were hardest in Maths AA SL November 2025 TZ3?
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The questions most candidates struggled with were on finding a curve from its gradient and a point, intersection and conditional probability, logarithmic equation with different bases and discriminant, axis of symmetry, normal and area. The tables above list every question discussed in the report, paper by paper.
What did candidates find difficult in November 2025 TZ3?
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Across the papers the examiners listed integration with boundary conditions, independent and mutually exclusive events, transformations of functions, laws of logarithms, area between curves, exponential equations, conditional probability and domain and range, among others.
What were the grade boundaries for Maths AA SL November 2025 TZ3?
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Maths AA SL: a 7 from 80 out of 100 overall in November 2025 TZ3. 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.