
Every 7 years, the IB curriculum is revised to ensure that the courses are up to date with the present teaching landscape. The change in the Maths syllabus beginning from M21 students is one of the more recent and drastic changes.. so what are the differences?
The Old Curriculum
The old curriculum contained Further Maths, Mathematics and Maths studies. Mathematics was the standard maths course, Further Maths was the one for those with a strong background in the subject and Maths studies for students who wanted an extra hand. The change in the 2021-2028 syllabus replaced the three courses with Maths AA (Analysis and Approaches) and Maths AI (Applications and Interpretation).
Maths AA
The “classical approach” to Mathematics. The course consists of abstract theories, proofs, generalisations - i.e. “pure mathematics.” If you like constructing, communicating and justifying correct mathematical arguments, this may be the course for you.
Some compare the AA SL course to the old Maths SL and the AA HL course to the old Maths HL. However, the new courses do introduce additions to the old syllabus .ie. Regression for the SL students.
Maths AI
A “different perspective” on similar problems in the AA course. The AI course focuses on practical application, including problems with real-life contexts and solutions. The course includes extensive use of technology, i.e. your graphics calculator, to explore and construct mathematical models. If you’re keener on keeping a foundation of statistics and distribution, AI might be the course for you.
The AI SL course is very similar to the old Math Studies whereas Maths AI HL is unlike any other courses offered previously.
Topics and Assessments
In both courses, you take the same topics
Number and Algebra
Functions
Geometry and Trigonometry
Statistics and Probability
Calculus
However, the hours you spend on each topic will vary with the course you choose.
Likewise, both courses will have the same amount of assessments. SL students will have Paper 1, 2 and the Internal Assessment, while HL students will have the addition of Paper 3.
A key difference in the assessments is that AA students (both SL and HL) don’t get a calculator for their paper 1 whereas AI students get a calculator for all their assessments.
Read more about the differences here: https://www.revisionvillage.com/new-ib-maths-curriculum-information/
Which course should you take..?
There are three factors to consider when choosing your Maths course:
Your abilities and interests
If you like pure maths, AA is the course to go.
Whereas, if you’re more interested in the practical side of maths, AI might be the better choice
Your other subjects
For example, if you’re taking Physics, you might want to consider Maths at HL as well as the AA course due to the larger focus on Calculus
Your academic and career plans
Check the subject requirements for the university AND the course you want to take. This is important as some universities/courses have a specific preference for your maths course.
The IBO recommendations
“Maths AA for students interested in mathematics, engineering, physical sciences, and some economics.
Maths AI for students interested in social sciences, natural sciences, medicine, statistics, business, engineering, some economics, psychology, and design.”
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