Why the Math IA Matters So Much
The IB Math Internal Assessment (IA) is your chance to showcase personal mathematical thinking. It’s worth 20% of your final IB Mathematics grade (both AA and AI), and it’s completely under your control.
Unlike exams, the IA isn’t about speed — it’s about clarity, exploration, and reflection. A strong IA can lift your final grade, while a weak one can hold you back. The good news? With a strategic approach and RevisionDojo’s IA/EE Guide, you can craft an IA that stands out for originality, accuracy, and insight.
Quick-Start Checklist
Before you begin your Math IA:
- Choose a topic that genuinely interests you — curiosity drives depth.
- Read through the IA/EE Guide in RevisionDojo for formatting, structure, and rubric expectations.
- Collect reliable data or define a clear mathematical model early.
- Schedule checkpoints: research → modeling → reflection → final formatting.
- Review top-scoring exemplars for style and tone.
Step 1: Understand the IB Math IA Rubric
Every Math IA is assessed on the same five criteria:
- Presentation – Is your exploration clear and logical?
- Mathematical Communication – Are symbols, diagrams, and notation accurate?
- Personal Engagement – Does it reflect your own curiosity or approach?
- Reflection – Do you evaluate methods and results critically?
- Use of Mathematics – Is the mathematics appropriate and correct?
RevisionDojo’s IA/EE Guide breaks down each criterion with side-by-side examples of high- and low-scoring responses, helping you see exactly what examiners look for.
Step 2: Choose a Topic That You Actually Enjoy
Your topic doesn’t need to be groundbreaking — it just needs to interest you.
You’ll spend weeks with it, so pick something that makes you curious enough to explore deeply.
Examples:
- The relationship between sleep patterns and productivity using regression.
- Optimizing the dimensions of a container for maximum volume.
- Investigating exponential growth in social media trends.
RevisionDojo’s IA Topic Bank (inside the IA/EE Guide) provides a list of ideas organized by difficulty and syllabus area, so you can select a topic that fits your level.
Step 3: Develop a Clear Research Question
A strong IA starts with a focused, mathematically driven question. Avoid vague prompts like “How can I use math in basketball?” Instead, narrow it down to something measurable:
- “How accurately can projectile motion predict free throw distance in basketball?”
- “What is the optimal number of defenders to minimize scoring probability?”
The IA/EE Guide walks you through how to refine your research question step-by-step, ensuring it fits both the mathematical depth and scope expected by IB.
Step 4: Plan Your Mathematical Approach
Once you have your question, outline how you’ll explore it mathematically. This might include:
- Data collection (experiments, surveys, simulations).
- Modeling (functions, calculus, statistics, geometry).
- Analysis (correlations, optimization, derivations).
RevisionDojo Notes can help here — review topic summaries to find relevant equations or concepts you can apply.
If you’re unsure whether your approach is complex enough, check the “Mathematical Depth Checklist” inside the IA/EE Guide. It compares SL vs HL expectations for each mathematical tool.
Step 5: Structure Your IA Like a Story
Examiners love clarity. Structure your IA as a logical progression — almost like telling a story.
Suggested flow:
- Introduction: Explain your motivation and research question.
- Mathematical Exploration: Present your methods step by step.
- Analysis: Interpret results, show reasoning, and discuss errors.
- Conclusion: Summarize findings and answer your question.
- Reflection: Evaluate your process and suggest improvements.
RevisionDojo’s IA Templates inside the IA/EE Guide provide editable outlines to help you stay on track.
Step 6: Master Mathematical Communication
Clear communication earns easy marks. Use proper IB notation and precise wording. Examples:
- Use f(x) = notation consistently.
- Label all axes on graphs.
- Include units and define all variables.
The IA/EE Guide includes a Notation Reference Sheet — a concise checklist of mathematical symbols and writing conventions examiners expect.
Step 7: Reflect Deeply — Not Superficially
The Reflection criterion often separates top IAs from average ones. Don’t just restate results — discuss why they matter.
Ask yourself:
- Did my model make reasonable assumptions?
- What were its limitations?
- How could I extend this exploration further?
RevisionDojo’s “Reflection Prompts” section inside the IA/EE Guide helps you articulate deeper insight without sounding repetitive.
Step 8: Review Exemplars Before Final Submission
Before submitting your IA, study top-scoring examples in RevisionDojo’s IA/EE Exemplars library. Notice how they:
- Flow naturally from question to conclusion.
- Integrate graphs and calculations smoothly.
- Maintain a consistent tone and formatting style.
Use these as inspiration, not templates. Your IA should be unique to your perspective and data.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long should my Math IA be?
IB recommends around 12–20 pages, including graphs and appendices. Focus on clarity, not length. A concise, well-explained IA always scores higher than a long, disorganized one.
2. Can I use technology or calculators in my IA?
Yes, absolutely. Graphing tools, Desmos, and spreadsheet analysis are encouraged as long as you clearly explain what they do and why. RevisionDojo provides visual examples for referencing technology use properly.
3. What’s the best way to show personal engagement?
Choose a topic connected to your hobbies, interests, or real-life experiences. Then, reflect on your reasoning and decisions. Examiners reward authenticity over complexity.
Final Thoughts
Writing a top-scoring IB Math IA isn’t about being a math genius — it’s about curiosity, structure, and clear communication.
With RevisionDojo’s IA/EE Guide, you get expert-led templates, topic ideas, and criterion breakdowns that make every stage of the process manageable and meaningful.
If you start early, stay organized, and follow this structure, your Math IA will not only impress examiners but also reflect your personal mathematical journey.
Call to Action
Ready to start your IB Math IA the right way?
Open RevisionDojo’s IA/EE Guide now and follow the step-by-step roadmap to craft an exploration that earns top marks.
