Criterion A: Presentation
4 marks- The exploration has a clear aim and a logical sequence.
- Graphs, tables, diagrams, and calculations appear where the reader needs them.
- Repetition and irrelevant material do not obscure the mathematical story.
IB Math AA IA Grader
Grade your Math AA IA before you submit. Upload your draft and get a mark for each criterion, comments tied to your sentences, and a list of what to fix first.
5 free gradings a month. No card. Private to you.
94%
of Marksy's marks on Maths AA explorations land within one grade of the IB's final mark
Tested on 172 Maths AA explorations the IB had already marked. See how we tested
- Marks
- 20, from five criteria
- Length
- About 12 to 20 pages
- Share of your grade
- 20%, at SL and HL
- SL and HL
- Only criterion E is different
See the mark, and the sentences behind it
Check the quality of your method, analysis, evaluation, communication and subject-specific reasoning. Find the weakest parts of the draft and see what to change first.
What Marksy checks for each Math AA IA criterion
You get a mark for each IB assessment criterion below. The points under each one are what Marksy looks for in your draft. See the mark bands
Criterion B: Mathematical Communication
4 marks- Variables, notation, units, and important terms are defined and used consistently.
- Equations and representations are formatted and explained clearly.
- Calculator or software notation is not used in place of proper mathematical notation.
Criterion C: Personal Engagement
3 marks- Choices of question, method, examples, or technology have a clear rationale.
- You test ideas or make decisions instead of following a fixed template.
- Engagement is shown through the work, not claimed in an isolated statement.
Criterion D: Reflection
3 marks- Reflection appears throughout the exploration rather than only in the conclusion.
- Results are checked for reasonableness, limitations, and alternative interpretations.
- You explain what the findings mean for the original aim.
Criterion E: Use of Mathematics - SL
6 marks- The mathematics chosen is relevant to the aim and at the level of your course.
- Work is correct, with technology outputs interpreted rather than pasted.
- Explanations show why the methods work and what the results mean.
Criterion A: Presentation
4 marks- The exploration has a clear aim and a logical sequence.
- Graphs, tables, diagrams, and calculations appear where the reader needs them.
- Repetition and irrelevant material do not obscure the mathematical story.
Criterion B: Mathematical Communication
4 marks- Variables, notation, units, and important terms are defined and used consistently.
- Equations and representations are formatted and explained clearly.
- Calculator or software notation is not used in place of proper mathematical notation.
Criterion C: Personal Engagement
3 marks- Choices of question, method, examples, or technology have a clear rationale.
- You test ideas or make decisions instead of following a fixed template.
- Engagement is shown through the work, not claimed in an isolated statement.
Criterion D: Reflection
3 marks- Reflection appears throughout the exploration rather than only in the conclusion.
- Results are checked for reasonableness, limitations, and alternative interpretations.
- You explain what the findings mean for the original aim.
Criterion E: Use of Mathematics - HL
6 marks- The mathematics chosen is relevant to the aim and at the level of your course.
- Work is correct, with technology outputs interpreted rather than pasted.
- Explanations show why the methods work and what the results mean.
Where Math AA IAs usually lose marks
Marksy flags these in your draft and links each one to the sentences it is about.
- No clear aimSay what you are exploring and why at the start. Then keep every section tied to that aim.Criterion A
- Calculator notationWrite x², not x^2, and define every variable before you use it. Keep the same notation all the way through.Criterion B
- Engagement that is only claimed"I love football" in the introduction earns little. Show engagement through your own choices, tests and questions as you work.Criterion C
- Reflection only at the endCheck results as you go. Are they reasonable? Where does your model break? What changes if an assumption changes?Criterion D
- Maths below the level of the courseBar charts and percentages can't carry criterion E. Use mathematics from your course, or beyond it at HL, and explain why it works.Criterion E
- Pasted software outputA Desmos or GeoGebra regression with no explanation shows the software understood it, not you. Explain what the output means.Criterion E
Before you upload
- Type equations with an equation editor or LaTeX where you can.
- Label every graph and table, and refer to them in the text.
- Choose SL or HL when you upload, because criterion E changes.
Your draft stays at the centre
Marksy reads the work you upload, points each comment back to your writing, and puts the most important changes first.
Does each mathematical step help answer the exploration question with clarity and purpose?Read Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches IA Planning Guide
- 1
Upload your draft
A PDF of your Math AA IA, finished or not. Every comment stays connected to your own writing.
- 2
Read the comments
Highlights show which passage each comment is about.
- 3
Fix the important parts first
Work down a short list instead of making scattered edits.
- 4
Keep the final say
Accept, adapt or ignore each suggestion. You stay the author.
What students wrote afterwards
From Trustpilot, as written.
marksyib has saved my ib diploma. thanks to it, my IA's were perfect and got the points i needed. really recommended.
Marksy ib allowed me to be able to finish my IAs much before allowing me to be able to relax better. 100% recommended
Your work stays your work
Marksy reads the draft you upload and comments on it. It doesn't rewrite your assessment, and your files are never used to train AI.
Read the safety answers- Private to youOnly you can see your work unless you choose to share it.
- Never used for trainingYour coursework is not added to any AI training data.
- Feedback, not ghostwritingUse the report to improve your own analysis and decisions.
- Delete it whenever you wantYou control the files stored in your account.
Questions before you upload
Still planning? The coursework guide covers the criteria and what to ask yourself while you write. Open the guide
Yes. Both explorations share criteria A to D. Criterion E is different at SL and HL, so pick your level when you upload. Math AI has its own grader page.
Typed equations are read most reliably. Handwritten maths or screenshots of working are harder to read, for Marksy and for the person moderating your work.
Along with the IB criteria, Marksy's maths marking uses notes on how real IB-marked explorations scored at each mark band.
On 172 Maths AA explorations the IB had already marked, 94% of Marksy's marks landed within one grade. Across all 1,317 IAs and TOK essays we tested, it was 92%. On a set with as many weak as strong essays, it scored 74/100 on our marking score, against 65 for ChatGPT, 61 for Claude and 57 for Gemini. Every number, and how we tested, is on the grading accuracy page.
Yes. Marksy checks your Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches IA against the IB assessment criteria for it and returns marks, comments and fixes instead of generic essay advice.
Yes. Early drafts are useful because the report can show a weak criterion before you spend hours polishing the wrong section. You can revise and grade another version later.
A free account includes 5 gradings a month. You don't need a card.
No. Marksy reads your existing work, explains each comment, and suggests what to revise. The writing and the final decisions stay yours.
Your upload is private to your account, is not used to train AI models, and can be deleted whenever you want.
Stop guessing what to fix in your Math AA IA
Upload the version you have now and find the parts holding it back.