Overview
The IB Mathematics Internal Assessment is worth 20% of your final Maths grade — often the difference between a 5 and a 7 when exams go wrong. Unlike past papers, the IA is coursework you control months before exams. This guide explains criteria, structure, and the mistakes moderators see every year.
What examiners mark
For the IB Diploma Programme, five criteria: Communication, Mathematical presentation, Personal engagement, Reflection, and Use of mathematics. Applies to both AA and AI explorations.
Recommended structure
Introduction (aim and curiosity) → mathematical development (definitions, algebra, graphs) → exploration (models, proofs, or data) → reflection (limitations, extensions) → bibliography. Typical length ~12–20 pages depending on guide.
Workflow for a top-band IA
For the IB Diploma Programme, pick a topic with enough maths at your level — not too trivial, not postgraduate. AA: proofs, series, calculus models. AI: regression, optimisation, modelling real datasets.
Common pitfalls
For the IB Diploma Programme, topic too shallow; maths copied from internet; no reflection; graphs without interpretation; exploration that is just a homework sheet.
Criterion practice on MarkScheme
Draft sections can be checked against IB assessment language — [get feedback on your IA writing](/mark?subject=ib-maths-aa-sl) where supported, and use syllabus [lessons](/ib/courses/maths-aa-sl) to strengthen methodology and subject vocabulary.
Frequently asked questions
This section covers Frequently asked questions — what IB examiners reward most often in past papers and coursework.