All Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches guides

Math AA IA Criteria Guide

Build a coherent exploration with a clear mathematical question and disciplined communication.

Use this guide to keep your exploration focused on a precise line of inquiry, well-presented mathematics, and reflection that goes beyond calculation.

Assessment criteria

What each criterion measures, how many marks it carries, and what stronger evidence usually looks like.

Criterion names, marks and mark bands follow the IB subject guide. The band descriptions are our own summaries, so check your subject guide for the exact wording.

Criterion A: Presentation (4 marks)

How coherent, well organized, and concise the exploration is.

Stronger evidence
The exploration develops logically, is well organized, and is concise, with nothing unnecessary.
Early-stage evidence
The exploration shows either some logical flow or some organization, not both.

Criterion B: Mathematical Communication (4 marks)

How relevant, appropriate, and consistent the notation, terminology, and representations are.

Stronger evidence
Relevant, appropriate mathematical communication that is consistent from start to finish.
Early-stage evidence
Some relevant notation and terminology, but only partly appropriate.

Criterion C: Personal Engagement (3 marks)

How clearly the exploration shows your own thinking, choices, and ownership of the mathematics.

Stronger evidence
Outstanding personal engagement: independent thinking and creativity shape the exploration.
Early-stage evidence
Some signs of personal engagement are visible.

Criterion D: Reflection (3 marks)

How critically you review, interpret, and question your results and methods.

Stronger evidence
Critical reflection appears throughout, questioning results, methods, and their implications.
Early-stage evidence
Reflection is limited, often just restating results.

Criterion E: Use of Mathematics - SL (6 marks)

How relevant and correct the mathematics is at the level of the SL course, and how well you understand it.

Stronger evidence
Mathematics at the level of the SL course that is correct, with thorough understanding.
Early-stage evidence
Some relevant mathematics is used.

Mark bands

Want to know where your IA sits in these bands? Upload your draft and get a mark for each criterion.

Grade my IA

How to build it

Most weak drafts fail on order, not on ideas.

  1. 1

    Choose a mathematically rich question

    Pick a question that invites genuine reasoning, not just a long calculation chain.

  2. 2

    Keep notation and structure clean

    Show definitions, assumptions, and transitions clearly so the mathematics is easy to follow.

  3. 3

    Use mathematics with intent

    Only include methods that move the exploration forward and can be interpreted in context.

  4. 4

    Reflect on limitations

    Explain what the model captures well, where it breaks down, and how your thinking changed.

Before you submit

  • The exploration question is narrow enough to finish well.
  • Mathematical communication is consistent and easy to track.
  • Graphs, tables, and algebra are tied to the argument, not pasted in as decoration.
  • Reflection comments on validity, limitations, and possible improvements.

Quick wins

  • Write the research question so it can be answered with a specific mathematical process.
  • Label every graph and variable exactly once, then reuse the same notation everywhere.
  • Add one short reflection after each major result so the logic stays visible.

Check Your Math AA Exploration Against The Band Descriptors

Marksy grades your Math AA draft against each criterion, points out weak communication, and helps you tighten the exploration before submission. The result includes a mark for every criterion, evidence from your draft, and the changes to make first.

Grade My IA DraftSee Pricing
  1. 1

    Upload your IA draft as a PDF

  2. 2

    Get a mark and feedback for every IA criterion

  3. 3

    Revise and grade the new version

A mark for every criterion
A mark for every criterionSee where the draft is now, criterion by criterion.
Comments on your sentences
Comments on your sentencesEach comment points at the passage it is about.
What to fix first
What to fix firstConcrete next edits instead of "improve your analysis".