What are the current IB Math IA criteria?
For Mathematics AA and AI assessment sessions before the redesigned first-assessment-2029 course, the five criteria are Presentation (4), Mathematical communication (4), Personal engagement (3), Reflection (3) and Use of mathematics (6), for 20 marks total. Confirm the student's session before using them.
How much is the IB Math IA worth?
The individual mathematical exploration contributes 20% of the final Mathematics grade at both SL and HL in the current course. The first-assessment-2029 update keeps a 20-mark exploration but changes the criteria, so percentage weighting and criteria version should be checked separately.
Is the IB Math IA 12–20 pages?
The current first-assessment-2021 guides recommend approximately 12–20 double-spaced pages including diagrams and graphs but excluding the bibliography. This is guidance rather than a target to fill; the guides explicitly prioritise the quality of mathematical writing over length. Follow the rules for the applicable session.
Are Math AA and Math AI IA criteria the same?
For the current course, AA and AI use the same five criterion categories. Criteria A–D are the same at SL and HL, while Criterion E has different SL and HL descriptors. The mathematics and context should still fit the student's registered route and level.
Does a Math IA need advanced university mathematics?
No. The current guide expects relevant mathematics commensurate with the course level and says mathematics beyond the syllabus is not required for the highest levels. A student must demonstrate understanding; unnecessary complexity can be less relevant than well-chosen mathematics used correctly and purposefully.
What are the new IB Math IA criteria for first assessment 2029?
The 2029 AA and AI updates list four shared SL/HL criteria: Problem specification (4), Abstraction (6), Computation (4) and Interpretation (6), totalling 20 marks. Students in earlier sessions should not replace the current five criteria with this future model.