The IB maths internal assessment – the mathematical exploration – is worth 20% of the final grade at both SL and HL. It is marked by your teacher and moderated by the IB, against five criteria worth 20 marks in total. Many students write a decent piece of maths and still lose marks, because they don't know what each criterion is really asking for.
The five criteria (current course)
| Criterion | Marks | In one line |
|---|---|---|
| A – Presentation | 4 | Is it organised, coherent and concise? |
| B – Mathematical communication | 4 | Is the notation, terminology and use of graphs/tables correct? |
| C – Personal engagement | 3 | Is it clearly *your* exploration, with your own ideas and choices? |
| D – Reflection | 3 | Do you critically review your results and methods? |
| E – Use of mathematics | 6 | Is the maths relevant, correct and at the right level for SL or HL? |
Criterion E carries the most marks, and its expectations differ between SL and HL: HL work is expected to show more sophisticated and rigorous mathematics.
What each criterion really rewards – and typical feedback
A – Presentation. A clear aim, a logical structure and a conclusion that answers the aim. *Typical feedback:* "The introduction doesn't state what you will investigate – add a clear aim in the first paragraph."
B – Mathematical communication. Defined variables, correct notation (no calculator syntax like "x^2" or "*"), labelled graphs and tables. *Typical feedback:* "Define t and h before using them; label the axes with units."
C – Personal engagement. Evidence of your own thinking – your own data, your own extensions, your own questions. Saying "I am interested in this" is not enough. *Typical feedback:* "You followed a textbook method. What would happen if you changed one assumption?"
D – Reflection. Critical comments throughout, not only at the end: why a method was chosen, what a result means, its limitations. *Typical feedback:* "You found the model's error but didn't explain why it is larger at high values."
E – Use of mathematics. Correct maths, relevant to the aim, at the right level, with understanding shown. *Typical feedback:* "This section only uses SL techniques – the HL expectation needs more sophisticated mathematics here."
How to improve your own draft
- Re-read your aim. Does every section serve it? Cut what doesn't.
- Check notation line by line. Replace calculator syntax and define every variable.
- Add reflection where decisions were made, not only at the end.
- Push the maths one level further in at least one section.
- Check accuracy – one significant error can affect criterion E.
The academic integrity line
The IA must be the student's own work. Your teacher can give feedback on one draft, as your school's rules allow. An outside tutor can help you understand mathematics and explain the criteria in general – but must not choose your topic, write or rewrite your text, or do your calculations. Tell your teacher about any outside help.
For students in the new course (first exams May 2029), the IA changes: 30 hours of work, with four criteria – problem specification, abstraction, computation and interpretation. See our new syllabus post.
How Maths Bodhi supports IA students – within the rules
- Explaining the criteria with examples that are not from the student's own work.
- Teaching the mathematics the student needs to understand for their chosen topic.
- Asking questions that help the student reflect – "why did you choose this method?"
- Planning the timeline around school deadlines so the IA is finished early.
Ajay Vatsyayan (M.Tech, 14+ years teaching maths) teaches IB DP maths at Maths Bodhi and has taught students from schools across Gurgaon, including Pathways World School, The Shri Ram School (Moulsari), Scottish High International School and Lancers International School. Maths Bodhi is independent and not affiliated with any school. Read Ajay's profile, or see our IB exam maths support page.
Home sessions across Gurgaon or online. Book a free demo class.
Related: choosing an IA topic, the maths Extended Essay, how to get a 7 and the IB DP maths guide for Gurgaon families.
IA weighting and 2029 criteria verified against IB subject briefs; current criteria as set out in the IB AA and AI guides. Checked by the Maths Bodhi team (October 2026) and reviewed by Ajay Vatsyayan.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the IB maths IA criteria?
- In the current course: A Presentation (4 marks), B Mathematical communication (4), C Personal engagement (3), D Reflection (3) and E Use of mathematics (6) – 20 marks in total.
- How much is the IB maths IA worth?
- 20% of the final grade at both SL and HL.
- Can a tutor help with the IB maths IA?
- A tutor can explain the criteria in general and teach the mathematics a student needs, but must not choose the topic, write or edit the text, or do the calculations. Students should tell their teacher about outside help.