IB Mathematics Tutoring
Preparation for both mathematics courses of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme — Analysis and Approaches and Applications and Interpretation — at SL and HL: course content, exam papers and the internal assessment (the exploration).
What IB Mathematics is
The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year programme for students aged 16–19, run by the International Baccalaureate and taught in international schools worldwide, including in Bucharest. Every student takes six subjects, and mathematics is one of them.
In mathematics, the student chooses one of two courses, at standard level (SL) or higher level (HL). The recommended teaching time is 150 hours at SL and 240 hours at HL.
The two courses
- ›Analysis and Approaches (AA) — algebra, functions, calculus and proof. Suits degrees in mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science and quantitative economics.
- ›Applications and Interpretation (AI) — modelling, statistics and using technology with real data. Suits the social sciences, business, psychology and the life sciences.
SL or HL
HL adds content and an extra exam paper. Many competitive degrees in mathematics, engineering, computer science and economics require HL mathematics, sometimes specifically Analysis and Approaches HL. Choose according to the target programme rather than difficulty, and check the exact requirement on each programme's page. More in the parent's guide to university admission.
How it is assessed
- ›Written exams at the end — 80% of the grade. Two papers at SL, three at HL. In Analysis and Approaches the first paper is taken without a calculator; in Applications and Interpretation a graphic display calculator is used on every paper.
- ›The exploration — internal assessment, 20% of the grade. A written mathematical investigation on a topic chosen by the student, marked in school and moderated by the IB.
Grades and exam sessions
The mathematics grade runs from 1 to 7. The IB Diploma totals a maximum of 45 points: up to 7 in each of the six subjects, plus up to 3 points from Theory of Knowledge and the extended essay. Exams are held in the May and November sessions.
The syllabus changes from 2027
Students who start IB mathematics from August 2027 will follow the revised syllabus, with first exams in May 2029. Students who started earlier stay on the current syllabus, first assessed in 2021. Tutoring follows the syllabus the student is sitting.
Both courses, both levels
Dr. Georgiana Popovici prepares students for Analysis and Approaches and Applications and Interpretation, at SL and HL. Tutoring covers the course content, practice on exam-style questions and the criteria used to assess the exploration.
Statistics and modelling, which carry a lot of weight in Applications and Interpretation, are her doctoral field — Mathematical Statistics, University of Bucharest, 2008. She was a university assistant in the Department of Probability and Statistics (2002–2016) and teaches at IOANID International High School.
Sessions are taught in groups, in person at the office in Bucharest or online.
Full profile
Questions about IB Mathematics
What is the difference between Analysis and Approaches and Applications and Interpretation?
AA focuses on algebra, functions, calculus and proof, and suits mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science and quantitative economics. AI focuses on modelling, statistics and using technology with real data, and suits the social sciences, business and the life sciences. Both are offered at SL and HL.
SL or HL?
HL has more content (240 recommended hours, compared with 150 at SL) and an extra exam paper. Many competitive degrees in mathematics, engineering, computer science and economics require HL mathematics, sometimes specifically AA HL. Check the requirement on the target programme's page.
How is it graded?
The final grade runs from 1 to 7. The final exams count for 80% and the exploration for 20%. SL students sit two papers, HL students three.
Is the syllabus changing?
Yes. Students who start IB mathematics from August 2027 follow the revised syllabus, with first exams in May 2029. Students who started earlier stay on the current syllabus.
Book IB Mathematics tutoring
Tell me the course (AA or AI), the level (SL or HL), your school and your exam session.