IB Math: AA VS AI?

 

IB math AA , as in Analysis and approaches, or IB Math AI ( Application and interpretation), they are totally different subjects, and if you choose the math wrongly, you will put your future at stake. In the old curriculum ( last exam 2020 November ) , it is very easy to decide which math level to go, if you are weak at math , then go for Math studies SL, and middle level or you would like to go for science degree, then you can choose IB math SL. For math intensive degree like physics, engineering IB higher math is intuitively a must for that. But IB new syllabus starting 2021, we have IB Math AA and Math AI , and each of them has SL and HL level, so which one to choose? HKExcel-IB math specialist will reveal EVERYTHING you need to know in this article. 

 

When is the first exam for IB math AA and Math AI? 

 

The first exam for these two subjects is 2021 May , and the whole curriculum will last for 10 years, which means it will end 2028 in IB, and IBO will restructure the curriculum again. 

 

Who will be affected under new curriculum? 

 

If you are in class of 2020, you will still be having the old curriculum exam, so you do not need to worry about the new change. However, if you are having your IB math exam in November 2020, e.g. Australian international schools, then you need to be careful about new curriculum. If you fail the exam and would like to retake, you will have to take the NEW Exam, which is entirely different from the old syllabus, so make sure you work super hard for your IB math exam if you are 2020 candidate! 

 

For class of 2021,the first exam is in May, so every IB students start their IBDP first year in 2019 , will have to face the change of new curriculum for IB math AA or AI. 

 

What is difference between IB Math AA & AI Curriculum? 

 

First of all, we need to at least know the major difference between the two curriculum. IB math AA focus more on Algebra, problem solving, calculus, and pure math, that means the emphasis is mainly on analytics skills, so you can expect it has harder or more abstract questions in the exam. However IB math AI has topics that Math AA does not, for example Voronoi diagram and some statistics and probability topic like Poisson distribution, and also matrices which only shows up in IB math AI. So you can not say IB math AA is harder than IB math AI , or the other way round, as they are just like Bio and chem, different subjects. 

 

 

SL VS HL 

 

As now we have SL and HL for both IB math AA and IB math AI, so what is the difference between the two? 

Standard level math does not mean the questions will be easier, but its just the coverage of topics will be less. For example, IB Math AI SL has 13 chapters while HL has 16 to work on. 

 

So conclusively there will be overlap chapters in SL and HL in the same subject, i.e. Math AA SL overlaps some chapters in IB Math AA HL. One interesting part to mention about is that , even thought IB math AL and AA are different subject , they do have FIVE big topics in common, Both courses cover the same 5 topics but with varying emphasis in each area: number and algebra, functions, geometry and trigonometry, statics and probability, and calculus.

 

University requirement 

IB math is always the NUMBER ONE subject that you need to choose right in your IB journey, as most of the universities they require specific math level and subject, as minimum requirement for the enrolment, So IB students have to choose wisely and carefully. 

 

Discipline: Engineering , physics, computer

IB math requirement: IB math AA HL 

 

If you are interested in the above degrees, you have to choose IB math AA in higher level, Top universities like Harvard, cambridge, oxford , Imperial College London , MIT , they do not accept IB candidate with IB math AA SL or IB Math AI, so even you end up with IB 45/45 , but with wrong IB math subject, you would even stand a chance to get in those universities: 

 

Discipline: Medical Science, Economics 

IB math requirement: IB math AA or AI HL 

 

For science or economics students, you will be required for higher level math ( NOT SL MATH), as the discipline requires students to demonstrate good quality of analytical skills and also prefer students with strong logical mind. Imagine one day you becomes the Finance head of a company, or a research specialist in medical engineering firm, you need to equip yourself with good knowledge on statistics, applied math and also analysis based on calculus. 

 

Discipline: Law, general business, arts ,language, social science 

IB math requirement: No specific math requirement

 

For IB students who are good with languages and words, you don't need to force yourself to take IB math AA or AI HL , as those are not required in the discipline. However for competitive degree like Bachelor of Law, students are required to score at least 38/45 in the IB diploma or above, in order to stand a chance to get accepted by top universities in Hong Kong, UK, US , Australia , Canada etc. For example, London School of economics, for Law discipline, it requires at least 38/45 in IB , and the higher level has to be 7, 6, 6. 

 

P.S

So is there any details which list out all the topics and chapters in IB math AA and IB math AI, yes, our IB math expert has already made the video for you, where you can check below. In the video you can check see exactly what are the topics included in the curriculum. 

 

IB Math AI  SL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqDBA8YyO2Y

 

IB math AI HL 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhOqdww3n-M

 

IB math AA SL 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjCAv7A-nEU

 

IB math AA HL 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWhYBgKfRpA

 

 

Last but not least, if you are interested in acing IB math AA or IB math AI, please do contact our staff NOW to arrange your FREE TRIAL lesson! We hope to be part of your IB journey and help you ace your IB math AA/AI exam!