IB Maths AA Exam Breakdown

A breakdown of the IB Maths AA exams. The exams account for most of your final IB Maths AA grade. Use this page to understand the paper structure and pacing before you sit your exams in IB Maths AA.

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Paper 1: Short & Extended Response

Weighting: SL 40% | HL 30%

This IB Maths AA exam paper tests all of your core syllabus knowledge through short & extended response questions.

You are not allowed a calculator and data booklet for this Maths AA exam.

Level	Description	Time
SL	80 marks: Section A: Compulsory short-response questions based on the whole syllabus (approx 40 marks). Section B: A small number of compulsory extended-response questions based on the whole syllabus (approx 40 marks). Students are not permitted access to any calculator on this paper.	90 minutes: 1.1 minutes per mark
HL	110 marks: Section A: Compulsory short-response questions based on the whole syllabus (approx 55 marks). Section B: A small number of compulsory extended-response questions based on the whole syllabus (approx 55 marks). Students are not permitted access to any calculator on this paper.	120 minutes: 1.1 minutes per mark

Paper 2: Short & Extended Response

Weighting: SL 40% | HL 30%

This IB Maths AA exam paper tests all of your core syllabus knowledge through short & extended response questions.

You are allowed a calculator and data booklet for this Maths AA exam.

Level	Description	Time
SL	80 marks: Section A: Compulsory short-response questions based on the whole syllabus (approx 40 marks). Section B: A small number of compulsory extended-response questions based on the whole syllabus (approx 40 marks). A GDC is required for this paper.	90 minutes: 1.1 minutes per mark
HL	110 marks: Section A: Compulsory short-response questions based on the whole syllabus (approx 55 marks). Section B: A small number of compulsory extended-response questions based on the whole syllabus (approx 55 marks). A GDC is required for this paper.	120 minutes: 1.1 minutes per mark

Paper 3: Problem Solving

Weighting: HL 20%

This IB Maths AA exam paper tests all of your core syllabus knowledge through problem solving questions.

You are allowed a calculator and data booklet for this Maths AA exam.

Level	Description	Time
HL	55 marks: Two compulsory extended-response problem-solving questions. Questions require extended responses involving sustained reasoning. Individual questions will develop from a single theme where the emphasis is on problem solving leading to a generalization or the interpretation of a context. A GDC is required for this paper.	60 minutes: 1.1 minutes per mark