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IB HL Programme

IB Maths HL Tutoring (AA and AI)

One-to-one online preparation for the Mathematics Higher Level syllabus

IB Maths HL tutoring opens with a diagnostic that settles one question: AA or AI. Students who pick the wrong route usually realise it halfway through the second term, when switching is expensive. Once that is decided, 90-minute one-to-one sessions close the content gaps and we map out the Maths Exploration.

Quick Answer

The route decision is made inside the first 90-minute lesson; from there most students continue on a 20-lesson package. Because packages never expire and can be split across subjects, nothing is wasted while you decide between AA and AI. If the first lesson disappoints, we refund it.

HL

Level

Fully Online

Format

90 min

Lesson length

€84 per 90 min one-to-one lesson

Not happy after your first lesson? Full refund.

See packages and lower per-lesson rates
IB Mathematics AA HL lesson: product-rule and chain-rule differentiation worked step by step on the boardHL

IB Specialists

Experienced Team

About IB Maths HL Tutoring (AA and AI)

IB Maths HL is one of the most demanding courses in the IB Diploma Programme and, since 2019, has been split into two distinct syllabuses: Analysis and Approaches (AA) and Applications and Interpretation (AI). The two syllabuses differ in content, exam format, IA focus and target university programmes, which is why we maintain two separate tutoring pages for AA HL and AI HL.

Analysis and Approaches HL focuses on pure mathematics and theoretical concepts. Algebra, functions, trigonometry, advanced calculus (limits, derivatives, integrals, differential equations), complex numbers, vectors and series are its cornerstones. AA HL is ideal for students aiming for careers in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science and the theoretical sciences. Exam structure: Paper 1 (no calculator), Paper 2 (with GDC), Paper 3 (problem solving + GDC) and the Internal Assessment (a mathematical exploration).

Applications and Interpretation HL focuses on the real-world applications of mathematics. Statistics, probability, mathematical modelling, optimisation and the use of technology (especially the GDC) are at its heart. AI HL suits students aiming for business, economics, social sciences, psychology and data science. Papers 1 and 2 are both calculator papers (GDC), while Paper 3 focuses on extended modelling problems.

When deciding which syllabus to take, consider both your university goals and your current mathematical skill level. Engineering and physics degrees usually expect AA HL, while business and social science programmes accept AI HL equally at many universities. If you are still deciding, our adviser will help you work out which syllabus suits your goals in a free initial consultation.

All of our IB Maths HL tutoring programmes are delivered fully one-to-one through our own online teaching platform. We have experienced teachers who know the IB assessment criteria for both syllabuses. For detailed information on syllabus, exam structure, IA support and pricing for our AA HL and AI HL programmes, use the cards above to move to the relevant syllabus page.

IB assessment experience

Lessons are planned with teachers who have relevant subject experience and a strong command of the IB assessment criteria. Matching is done by subject, level, the student's current standing and teacher availability.

Syllabus Topics

AA HL: Number and Algebra, Functions, Geometry & Trigonometry
AA HL: Statistics & Probability, Calculus, Further Calculus, Series, Complex Numbers
AI HL: Number and Algebra, Functions, Geometry & Trigonometry
AI HL: Statistics & Probability, Calculus (modelling-focused), HL Topics (matrices, graph theory)

And what does the board look like at SL?

The same topics, taught at SL

IB Mathematics AA SL lesson: a product-rule differentiation (y = x²sin(x)) worked step by step on the boardSL
A frame from a real online SL lesson. The course on this page is not SL – it is here so you can compare the two levels.

Exam Papers

IB Maths HL exam structure and focus areas

PaperDurationWeightingFocus
Paper 12 hours30%Short and long-response questions (AA: no calculator, AI: with GDC), 2 hours
Paper 22 hours30%Short and long-response questions (GDC in both syllabuses), 2 hours
Paper 31 hour20%Problem solving / modelling, GDC required, 1 hour
IA—20%Internal Assessment – mathematical exploration (Maths Exploration)

Source: the assessment components and weightings on this page follow the IB Maths HL (AA and AI) subject guide published by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Your school's IB coordinator can access the current session documents. ibo.org

About grade boundaries: According to the grade boundary documents the International Baccalaureate Organization publishes for each exam session, the total percentage needed for a 7 varies by subject, level and session in a band of roughly 55–85%. Your school's IB coordinator can access the relevant May/November Grade descriptors and boundaries document. In our one-to-one lessons we review the student's realistic grade range together using past-session boundaries and mock results.

IA / Written-Task Support

Where do one-to-one lessons help with the Internal Assessment and written tasks?

1

The topic has to demand HL mathematics

Most marks lost in the Exploration go to a topic that is interesting but can be finished with SL-level mathematics. We check whether the topic forces you to use an HL tool before you start writing.

2

AA and AI expect different things

The rubric is shared, but the natural Exploration for each route is not the same. AA rewards going deeper into the mathematics itself; AI rewards building a model on real data and then testing it. We choose the topic to suit your route.

3

Personal engagement has to be visible

Personal Engagement is not met by a sentence in the introduction. The marks come from collecting the data yourself, testing an assumption yourself, or adapting a known method to your own case – we look for that when choosing the topic.

4

Consistent notation and presentation

Communication is marked independently of the mathematics: an undefined symbol, a missing unit or an unlabelled axis costs marks directly. We sweep the draft for these in a separate pass.

5

Feedback on drafts

We give feedback in separate rounds – narrowing the topic, the first full draft and a final read. We do not write the Exploration for you; the IB's academic integrity policy forbids it.

Comparing Preparation Paths

How self-study, group classes and one-to-one support compare for IB Maths HL

Preparation pathProsLimitationsBest for
Working on your own
  • Textbooks and question banks exist for both AA and AI
  • You revise at your own pace
  • Choose wrong between AA and AI and you spend two years on the wrong syllabus
  • Paper 1 is sat without a calculator, so you only find out how fast you are by hand in the exam itself
  • If your Maths Exploration topic is rejected you have far less time to recover
Students whose syllabus choice is settled and who work with discipline.
School lessons and group courses
  • Topics are sequenced against the exam timetable
  • You can discuss problems with classmates
  • Most schools cannot give AA and AI groups equal attention
  • Getting stuck on something like proof by induction is invisible in a class
  • There is no individual supervision for the Exploration topic
Students happy to follow the standard sequence.
One-to-one online lessons with us
  • We decide AA vs AI alongside your university target
  • We drill Paper 1 by question type, without a calculator
  • We narrow the Exploration down to a question that will be approved
  • Costs more than studying alone
Students unsure about the syllabus choice or the Exploration topic.

Lesson packages

Not happy after your first lesson? Full refund. Split 10- and 20-lesson packages across any subjects you like, with no expiry date.

Study Plan Framework

A typical five-phase plan for IB Maths HL in one-to-one lessons, adapted to the student's exam date.

  1. Choosing the route

    week 1

    • We settle AA or AI against the entry requirements of your target course
    • We measure your current level with question types from both routes
    • This removes the cost of discovering the wrong route in the second term
  2. Bridging programme

    3-5 weeks, for students switching route

    • Covering what the new route did in the first term
    • For students moving to AA, speed on non-calculator questions
    • For students moving to AI, the GDC and reading data
  3. Closing content gaps

    weeks 4-10

    • Working through the gaps found, one at a time, in 90-minute sessions
    • Reinforcement after each session with question types from your own route
  4. Maths Exploration

    5-8 weeks, set by your school's approval calendar

    • Choosing and narrowing the topic to suit your route
    • Checking the level of the mathematics involved
    • Rounds of draft feedback
  5. Paper preparation and rehearsal

    the 8 weeks before the exam

    • Working Papers 1, 2 and 3 separately
    • Comparing your own answer against the mark scheme
    • A full-length timed rehearsal

This framework is a sample plan; it is customised for each student based on exam date, target grade and current level.

How One-to-One Lessons Work

How IB Maths HL sessions are structured

The first session goes to choosing the route

Most students who reach this page have not yet settled on AA or AI. We make that call by putting your target course's entry requirements next to your current level – discovering the wrong route in the second term is expensive to undo.

Separate tutors for AA and AI

The two syllabuses differ in question type and exam logic, so the same tutor does not teach both. Once your route is settled you are matched with a tutor who works in it.

Working by question type

We progress by the question types you will actually meet in the exam rather than by topic heading. The no-calculator Paper 1 reflex in AA and GDC modelling in AI need separate practice.

A written progress report every two weeks

We share what was covered, what stage the Exploration is at and what comes next, in writing.

IA Grader

Evaluate your Internal Assessment report yourself. IA Grader for all subjects →

Upload Your IA Report

Upload your IA report in PDF or DOCX format and let our AI assess it automatically.

Drag your file here

or click to select (PDF, DOCX – max 10MB)

Don't want to upload a file?

IA Preparation Checklist

Check the key elements of your IA report before moving on to scoring.

0/12 completed

0%

Presentation

Communication

Personal Engagement

Mathematics

Reflection

Criterion-Based Scoring

Assess yourself on each criterion. Use the slider to set your score.

Presentation

0/4

The structure, organisation and clarity of the mathematical exploration.

04
Insufficient

No structure or presentation.

Build a clear introduction, development and conclusion

Mathematical Communication

0/4

Mathematical language, notation and terminology.

04
Insufficient

No mathematical communication.

Use appropriate mathematical notation
Define your variables

Personal Engagement

0/3

Personal interest, creativity and independent thinking.

03
Insufficient

No evidence of personal engagement.

Explain why you chose your topic
Show an original approach

Reflection

0/3

Interpreting the results and evaluating the process.

03
Insufficient

No reflection.

Discuss the significance of your results
State the limitations

Use of Mathematics

0/6

The accuracy, breadth and depth of the mathematics used.

06
Insufficient

Very limited use of mathematics.

Use mathematics at the level of the course
Check that your calculations are accurate

0/20

Total IA Score

Estimated IB Grade: 1
Presentation0/4
Communication0/4
Personal Engagement0/3
Reflection0/3
Mathematics0/6

Areas for Improvement

Presentation0/4
Build a clear introduction, development and conclusion
Communication0/4
Use appropriate mathematical notation
Define your variables
Personal Engagement0/3
Explain why you chose your topic
Show an original approach
Reflection0/3
Discuss the significance of your results
State the limitations
Mathematics0/6
Use mathematics at the level of the course
Check that your calculations are accurate

Want feedback on your IA from a teacher?

Work one-to-one with teachers who know the IB assessment criteria and IA rubrics inside out, and strengthen your report with feedback on each criterion.

If you'd like personalised feedback on your IA from a teacher, you can work with one of our tutors. This tool produces an estimated score; it does not replace official IB assessment.

Where Students Struggle

Adapting to the IB exam format and assessment criteria
Meeting the standard the Internal Assessment (IA) expects
Time management and getting through a long syllabus
Understanding the IB assessment criteria and shaping answers accordingly

Our experienced IB teachers help you get past each of them.

Our Teaching Approach

IB-Focused Methodology

Work with teachers who know the IB assessment criteria inside out.

Where We Start

The first lesson sets the level, and the topic order follows from it.

The IA and the Exam

From the research question to the report, from past papers to mark schemes.

Past-Paper Focused

Real exam questions and mark scheme analysis.

Share before your first lesson

The information below helps the lesson plan focus on the student's real needs from the very first minutes.

  • Target IB grade (e.g. 6 or 7) and exam date
  • Current level: latest mock grade, predicted grade or weak topics
  • School curriculum: the textbook used, IA / EE topic, deadlines
  • Study schedule: lessons per week, available days and time slots

Who Is This Programme For?

IB students who struggle with IB Maths HL and want to raise their grade
Pre-IB students about to start the IB Diploma Programme
IB 2 students preparing for their final exams
Students who want expert guidance on their IAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between AA and AI in IB Maths HL?
AA is more theoretical and pure-mathematics focused (ideal for engineering, physics, mathematics), while AI focuses on real-world applications, modelling and the use of technology (ideal for business, economics, social sciences, data science). The two syllabuses differ in both content and exam structure.
How do I decide which syllabus to choose?
Your university goal, current maths level and interests are decisive. In a free initial consultation our adviser recommends the best fit based on your goals, current grades and the options your school offers.
Do you have separate teachers for AA HL and AI HL?
Yes. Since AA HL and AI HL are separate syllabuses, we have teachers who specialise in each. Details are listed on each syllabus's own page.
How many hours of IB Maths HL tutoring per week do you recommend?
For IB Maths HL we recommend a minimum of 2-3 hours of one-to-one lessons per week. This can be increased during exam periods.

Programme Features

  • AA vs AI diagnostic in the first lesson
  • Route chosen against university entry requirements
  • A bridging plan for students switching route
  • Separate teaching staff for AA and AI
  • A timeline for getting the Maths Exploration topic approved
  • Package hours split freely between AA and AI
  • Fully online lessons (through our own teaching platform)

Contact us for a lesson plan

Tell us your target grade, where you are now and when you sit the exam, and we will work out the weekly schedule with you.

Quick Info

Fully online (our own platform)
90 min
Flexible scheduling
Weekly progress tracking

Tutors who teach this course

  • Burak K.

    IB Mathematics Teacher

  • Mert Y.

    IB Mathematics Teacher

  • Selin A.

    IB Mathematics Teacher

  • Kerem A.

    IB Mathematics Teacher

  • Ayşe K.

    IB Mathematics Teacher

  • Onur D.

    IB Mathematics Teacher

  • Ece Y.

    IB Mathematics Teacher

  • Berk Ş.

    IB Mathematics Teacher

Our teachers are currently working in IB schools, so we cannot share their full surnames.

Our tutors provide mentoring, structure suggestions and feedback during the IA / EE process. IB Courses does not write a student's IA or assignment for them.

Let's work out where to start with IB Maths HL

In a free consultation with our experienced IB teachers, we'll decide together how many lessons you need and what to focus on.

The consultation is free and non-binding. We do not guarantee a specific IB grade.

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