International Baccalaureate (IB) Math Syllabus: 2025/26 Parent & Student Guide

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13 Jul 2025, 00:00 Z

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Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)

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Q: What does International Baccalaureate (IB) Math Syllabus: 2025/26 Parent & Student Guide cover?
A: Understand the AA vs AI pathways, assessment formats, and planning milestones for the 2025/26 IB Mathematics cohorts.

TL;DR
IB Maths has two routes-Analysis and Approaches (AA) for proof-heavy algebra/calculus and Applications and Interpretation (AI) for modelling/statistics with technology.
Both keep a 20% Internal Assessment; exam formats differ by route/level (SL vs HL).
Route choice should align with intended pathways: proof- and calculus-heavy degrees tend to expect AA, while data-centric fields often accept AI (check the target university’s matrix).

Status: IB Mathematics AA/AI subject briefs (first assessment 2021) checked 2025-11-30 - Paper weights and 20% IA remain unchanged; no newer briefs published for 2026.

Looking for IP/IB Maths pacing and WA-style practice? Start from our IP Maths hub: https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/ip-maths-tuition.

If you are turning these syllabus decisions into EE or IA topics, pair this guide with our IB Extended Essay STEM playbook for research-scoping templates and methodology tips.

1 | Big-picture anatomy of each course

Route	Core emphasis	Hours	Exam papers
AA SL	Algebra, functions, calculus	150 teaching + 30 IA	P1 (non-calc) 40%, P2 (calc) 40%, IA 20%
AA HL	Deeper proof, series, diff-eqns	240 + 30

Paper	Time	Calculator?	Skills hit
P1 AA (SL/HL)	90/120 min	No	Pure algebra & calculus drill
P2 AA (SL/HL)	90/120 min	Yes	Longer modelling Qs $\Rightarrow$ partial-fractions, DEs
P1 AI (SL/HL)	90/120 min	Yes	Data interpretation, tech commands
P2 AI (SL/HL)	90/120 min	Yes	Extended statistical modelling
P3 HL (both)	60 min	Yes	Investigation / proof write-ups

Future pathway	Recommended course	Why
Engineering, physics, pure math	AA HL	Requires rigorous calculus $\int$ , series $\sum$ , proof.
Economics, computer science*	AA SL / AI HL	Balance of calculus with statistics and algorithmic modelling.
Life science, psychology, business	AI SL / AI HL	Heavy inferential statistics and real-data modelling.

Term	IB definition	Exam tip
Interpret	Use knowledge to recognise trends and draw conclusions from information.	Always connect the maths back to the context (e.g. what a gradient means physically).
Investigate	Make a systematic examination to establish facts and reach new conclusions.	Lay out steps, state findings, and comment on implications.
Justify	Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer.	Quote theorems/working explicitly, not just the final value.
Show / Show that	Give steps in a derivation; “show that” expects you to reach the stated result without full proof formality.	Start from given expressions, keep algebra line-by-line, and finish with the target statement.
Sketch	Draw a labelled graph that captures the key features.	Mark intercepts/asymptotes; scale can be rough but features must be clear.
Solve	Obtain answers using algebraic, numerical or graphical methods.	State all solutions relevant to the domain (include extraneous checks).
Verify	Provide evidence that validates the result.	Substitute back or reproduce working to confirm equality.

Dataset idea	Description	AA angle	AI angle
Learning analytics log	Daily logins vs assignment completion for a Sec 4 IP class (anonymised)	Optimise logistic model parameters, prove convergence of Newton iteration for best-fit root	Run moving-average smoothing, build exponential smoothing forecast, discuss tech-enabled interpretation
Projectile Tracker export	$x,t$ and $y,t$ data from Tracker video of a physics launch	Derive parametric equations, compare analytical vs regression trajectory, explore angle for max range	Use regression diagnostics to interpret residuals, simulate air resistance via spreadsheet macros
JC finance time-series	Monthly tuition revenue vs marketing spend (synthetic but realistic)	Formulate system of equations, explore AR(2) model justification with characteristic roots	Run regression with correlation matrices, produce dashboard explaining elasticity & prediction intervals

Slip	Why marks bleed	Fix
Quoting results to 1 s.f.	Fail “Accuracy” IA strand	Keep 3 s.f. until final line.
IA sprawl (25+ pages, repetitive)	Exceeds IB's 12-20 page guidance; concision strand drops	Outline early, trim duplicate working, keep visuals purposeful.
Using CAS to bypass algebra	“Communication” penalty	Show manual step then CAS verify.
Mixing AA & AI style mid-exam	Lost method marks	Pre-plan solving route per paper.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Math Syllabus: 2025/26 Parent & Student Guide

1 | Big-picture anatomy of each course

2 | Topic maps - where the hours actually go

2.1 Shared core (both AA & AI)

2.2 Extra in AA

2.3 Extra in AI

3 | Assessment in detail

3.1 External papers

3.2 Internal Assessment (IA)

4 | Which route for which goal?

5 | Command terms decoded

6 | Core formulae you still must know

7 | Crafting a high-scoring IA

7.1 | Modelling frameworks (AA vs AI) for 2026 cohorts

Workflow tips

Deliverable add-ons

8 | Common mistakes & quick fixes

9 | Final 12-month timeline (Y5-Y6 IP student)

10 References

Related Posts

Month	Math milestone	Action
Jul-Aug Y5	Finish core content	Start IA brainstorming
Nov	Half-draft IA, peer review	Fix citation & structure
Feb Y6	First full past-paper set (2 h)	Track attempt rate versus accuracy rate
Apr	Submit final IA	Shift to timed-paper loops
Jun	4-week exam sprint	Daily Paper 1 or Paper 2 slice
Oct	Final mock	Error-journal flashcard bursts