Choosing the right IB Math course is a crucial decision that can impact your university applications and future career path. With four different IB Math subjects available, it’s important to understand the differences to make the best choice:
This guide will help you decide which IB Math subject aligns with your academic goals and prepares you for university.
Higher Level (HL) courses are more rigorous, with three exam papers:
Standard Level (SL) students have a slightly lighter load, with only two papers, making SL less demanding than HL.
For Non-Math Related Degrees:
If you’re not pursuing a math-heavy degree, Math Applications and Interpretations SL (AI SL) is a good fit. This course is tailored for students heading into fields like Law, Humanities, or Languages, where advanced math isn’t required.
For Economics and Related Fields:
Considering a degree in Economics? Math Applications and Interpretations HL (AI HL) might be enough, but some top universities prefer Math Analysis and Approaches HL (AA HL) for its comprehensive coverage of calculus and algebra, which are critical in Economics.
Many students believe that Higher Level (HL) math is overwhelmingly challenging, but this isn’t necessarily true. In HL exam papers, some questions are identical to those found in Standard Level (SL) papers. These overlapping questions are designed to help HL students score points more easily. This structure means that HL isn’t just filled with harder questions; there are opportunities built in to help boost your score.
A common myth is that taking the “easiest” subject, like Math Applications and Interpretations SL (AI SL), guarantees a 7. However, data shows this isn’t true. From 2023 to 2024, only about 3-4% of students in AI SL achieved a 7, the lowest among all IB Math subjects.
Conversely, Math Analysis and Approaches HL (AA HL) boasts the highest success rate, with 14-20% of students scoring a 7. Despite being the most challenging, AA HL rewards those who tackle its rigor with a higher likelihood of achieving top marks.
If you’re deciding between Math Analysis and Approaches SL (MAA SL) and Math Applications and Interpretations HL (MAI HL), consider MAA SL if you’re aiming for a 7 in Math. Based on statistics from the May 2023 to May 2024 IB exams, MAA SL has a higher percentage of students scoring 6s and 7s compared to MAI HL. This suggests that MAA SL could be a more strategic choice for students who want to maximize their chances of achieving top scores.
Choosing the right IB Math subject is about aligning your strengths, university plans, and career aspirations. Make an informed choice to set yourself up for academic success.