IB Mathematics:
Analysis &
Approaches.
The harder, more theoretical of the two IB Maths courses — required for most STEM degrees worldwide and strongly preferred by Oxbridge, Imperial and top US engineering programmes. HL and SL coverage plus full IA Exploration coaching.
The proof-based IB maths course. Essential for engineering, physics, economics and any STEM-heavy university pathway. Our most-requested IB subject.
Maths AA is the serious STEM maths course.
IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (AA) is the more theoretical of the two IB Diploma maths courses and the one universally required for STEM applicants. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, MIT and Stanford all either explicitly require AA (usually HL) or treat AI as insufficient for competitive engineering and physics programmes.
HL or SL?
HL covers an additional 90 teaching hours of content — proof by induction, complex numbers, vectors in 3D, and deeper calculus — and is assessed with an extra Paper 3. Students targeting competitive STEM degrees must take HL. Students heading into humanities-with-maths or business programmes often find SL sufficient.
How Times Edu is different
Our IB Maths department is staffed entirely by AA specialists — former IB examiners and teachers with 10+ years teaching the exact subject guide your child is on. Every IA Exploration we coach is built around a genuine mathematical idea, not a recycled template. Every past-paper question is explained until the method is muscle memory.
The full content we cover in 1:1 lessons.
Every Times Edu Mathematics AA mentor maps lessons directly to the official IB subject guide — nothing on the final exam is a surprise.
Number & Algebra
Sequences, series, binomial theorem, induction, complex numbers (HL).
Functions
Quadratics, exponentials, logarithms, transformations.
Geometry & Trig
Vectors, trigonometric identities, 3D geometry (HL).
Statistics & Probability
Data analysis, distributions, hypothesis testing.
Calculus
Differentiation, integration, differential equations (HL).
IA Exploration
12–20 page individual mathematical investigation worth 20% of final grade.
Proof Writing
Formal mathematical proof for HL Paper 1 and Paper 3.
Calculator Technique
TI-Nspire or Casio fx-9860 fluency for Paper 2 and Paper 3.
Every paper and every IA, mapped.
IB assessment mixes exam papers with the Internal Assessment — and the IA is where most schools lose marks. Here is the full breakdown.
No Calculator
Short and extended questions. No calculator allowed. Tests pure technique.
With Calculator
Short and extended questions. Graphical calculator required.
Problem Solving (HL only)
Two extended problem-solving questions requiring full mathematical reasoning.
Mathematical Exploration
Individual 12–20 page investigation on a student-chosen topic. 20% of final grade.
Why even strong students lose IB points here.
These are the three traps we see most often in diagnostic sessions with new IB Diploma Mathematics AA students — and every one is fixable with focused coaching.
Weak IA topic
The IA Exploration is 20% of the final grade. Students who pick recycled topics ("population growth in Vietnam") cap at grade 4. We coach original topic selection from week 1.
Paper 3 under-practice
HL Paper 3 has only 2 questions worth 55 marks total. Students who have never tackled open-ended problem solving under time pressure routinely score 15/55.
Calculator reliance
Paper 1 is calculator-free and tests pure algebraic manipulation. Students who over-rely on TI-Nspire at school plateau at Paper 1.
Across HL and SL.
I was predicted a 5 in Maths AA HL. After ten months with Times Edu I finished with a 7 and an IA score of 19/20. That single grade made my Imperial College offer possible.
What families always ask about IB Mathematics AA.
Have a specific question about your child's situation? Book a free 60-minute diagnostic and our IB specialist will answer every one.
Should my child take AA or AI?
For STEM-bound students (engineering, physics, computer science, medicine), AA is almost always required — usually at HL. For students heading into business, economics, psychology or social sciences, AI is often a better fit. We will advise precisely during the diagnostic based on your child's target universities.
HL or SL — how do we decide?
Start by looking at your child's target universities. Cambridge Engineering and Imperial want HL. Most US engineering programmes accept HL or SL. Most business schools accept SL. If target is still open, we default to HL for maximum optionality.
Can you help with the IA Exploration?
Yes — this is one of our most common starting points. The IA is worth 20% of the final grade and is where most schools under-coach. We have helped dozens of students take an IA from grade 3 to grade 6/7 in 6–8 weeks of focused work.
How is IB AA different from A-Level Further Maths?
A-Level Further Maths goes deeper into pure content (complex analysis, matrices, differential equations). IB AA is more balanced but demands a formal IA Exploration. They target similar students but assess very differently.
Ready to turn IB Mathematics AA into a full 7?
Your child's free 60-minute Mathematics AA diagnostic includes a full topic-by-topic gap analysis, a realistic grade prediction, an IA review and a personalised roadmap through to final May exams. Worth $60 — free for the first 50 families this intake.