IB Mathematics Applications & Interpretation HL
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level is a rigorous course with a strong focus on the applications of mathematics. It is designed for students who are strong mathematically, but are also interested in using mathematics to understand the world around us as well as the growing use of technology and data to explain mathematical processes. Applications and interpretation HL is an ideal course for students looking to pursue further study in natural or data sciences and who have successfully completed MYP 5 extended mathematics or IGCSE additional mathematics 0606.
Course Structure and Content
The Higher Level AI course is divided into five broad topics: Number & Algebra, Functions, Geometry & Trigonometry, Statistics & Probability, and Calculus. The approach taken with the topics encourages their practical application in real-world scenarios, while also fostering conjecture, promoting technological exploration, and supporting interpretation. AIHL students go into much greater depth in each topic than SL, and also study a number of subtopics that are not part of the SL course - for example, complex numbers, vectors & matrices, graph theory, and differential equations.
At the end of the program, all AI HL students sit paper 1, paper 2 and paper 3. All three papers can cover the full breadth of the curriculum. A graphic display calculator is required for all three papers.
Paper 1 is a two hour short-response paper with questions typically ranging from 5 marks to 9 marks.
Paper 2 is a two hour extended-response paper with questions typically ranging from 14 to 18 marks. Paper 2 contains a narrower range of topics than paper 1, testing deeper understanding and allowing more scope for reasoning and inquiry.
Paper 3 is a one hour paper that consists of two extended response questions that explore HL topics in great depth. There is a greater emphasis on inquiry in paper 3 than in paper 1 or paper 2.
All HL Applications and Interpretation students are also required to submit an internal assessment - a written piece of work known as the exploration. This is an opportunity for students to apply mathematics learned in the course to a topic of interest to them.
Tips for Success
- Being able to recognise and apply mathematics in a wide range of real-life contexts is vital.
- Proficiency with the GDC is essential - being able to use graphs or numerical applications to investigate problems and find solutions is fundamental to the course.
- Interpreting the meaning of a solution in context is very important in AI mathematics.
More IB Math Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IB Math AI HL?
IB Mathematics Applications and Interpretation (AI) Higher Level (HL) is one of the four math courses introduced in the current IB Mathematics curriculum (2021-2027). The AI HL course was designed by the IB to cater for ‘citizens in our future world’, whereby students can harness the power of technology to solve real life practical problems. The Applications and Interpretation HL course should be considered by students who are strong at mathematics, but undecided if they want to pursue courses and pathways that rely on mathematics after their IB Diploma Program.
What are the assessment items in the IB Math AI HL course?
The IB Mathematics Applications and Interpretation HL course consists of four assessment items that contribute to a students overall score for the course. There are three exam papers, combined to be worth 80%. Paper 1 (short response questions), Paper 2 (long response questions) and Paper 3 (Long response – problem solving questions) all encourage students to utilize their graphical display calculators. The fourth assessment item, worth the remaining 20% of the marks, is a ‘Mathematical Exploration’, where students complete a written assignment involving the investigation of an area of mathematics that interests them.
How should students prepare for IB Math AI HL exams?
There are two phases students progress through in their two-year IB Math AI HL course: the learning phase and the revision phase. The learning phase occurs in class, with their teacher and textbooks, where students first encounter and explore the mathematical concepts and consolidate their understanding by solving questions specific to that concept. The revision phase, which is what Revision Village is specifically designed for, is when students consolidate their understanding of all of the concepts in the AI HL course and appreciate how the concepts are connected. In the revision phase, the most effective strategy is to practice lots of IB Math AI HL exam questions, to build confidence, reach mastery, and be prepared for the AI HL examinations.
How does Revision Village support IB Math AI HL students?
Revision Village is specifically designed to support IB students in the revision phase of their IB Mathematics Applications and Interpretation Higher Level course. Revision Village has four main sections, each for different revision purposes: 1) Questionbank: a large library of IB Math AI HL exam questions categorised by topic and ordered by difficulty, 2) Practice Exams: a carefully designed set of quizzes and mock papers for students to use in their final phase of revision, 3) Past Paper Video Solutions: step-by-step video tutorials of past AI HL exam questions, taught by experienced IB Teachers, and 4) Key Concepts: short concise videos that recap the important theory in the AI HL course. Revision Village is the perfect place for IB Students to learn, practice and prepare for their IB Mathematics exam stress-free, with all of the resources they need in one place.