Test duration: 5 hours total
Marks may be awarded for method, accuracy, answers and reasoning, including interpretation.
In paper 1, paper 2 and paper 3, full marks are not necessarily awarded for a correct answer with no working. Answers must be supported by working and/or explanations (in the form of, for example, diagrams, graphs or calculations). Where an answer is incorrect, some marks may be given for correct method, provided this is shown by written working. All students should therefore be advised to show their working.
Paper 1 30% of total score 2 hours
This paper consists of 20 compulsory short-response questions based on the core of the syllabus.
Knowledge of all topics in the core is required for this paper. However, not all topics are necessarily assessed in every examination session.
The intention of this paper is to test students' knowledge across the breadth of the core. However, it should not be assumed that the separate topics from the core are given equal emphasis.
A small number of steps is needed to solve each question.
Questions may be presented in form of words, symbols, diagrams or tables, or combinations of these.
This paper is worth 120 marks, representing 30% of the final mark.
Questions of varying levels of difficulty are set. Each question is worth 6 marks.
Paper 2 30% of total score 2 hours
This paper consists of 5 compulsory extended-response questions based on the core of the syllabus.
Knowledge of all topics in the core is required for this paper. However, not all topics are necessarily assessed in every examination session.
Individual questions may require knowledge of more than one topic from the core.
The intention of this paper is to test students' knowledge of the core in depth. The range of syllabus topics tested in this paper may be narrower than that tested in Paper 1.
To provide appropriate syllabus coverage of each topic, some questions in this section are likely to contain two or more unconnected parts. Where this occurs, the unconnected parts will be clearly labeled as such.
Questions require extended responses involving sustained reasoning.
Individual questions may develop a single theme or be divided into unconnected parts.
Questions may be presented in form of words, symbols, diagrams or tables, or combinations of these.
Normally, each questions reflects in incline in difficulty, from relatively easy tasks at the start of a question to relatively difficult tasks at the end of the question. The emphasis is on problem solving.
This paper is worth 120 marks, representing 30% of the final mark.
Questions in this section may be unequal in terms of lengths and level of difficulty. Therefore, individual questions may not necessarily be worth the same number of marks. The exact number of marks allocated to each question is indicated at the start of each question.
Paper 3 20% of total score 1 hour
This paper consists of four sections, one on each of the options in the syllabus. Each section has a small number of extended-response questions based on the option topic. Students much answer questions on one option topic only. Students must answer all the questions in the section chosen.
Students must answer all questions based on the option they have studied.
Knowledge of the entire content of the option studied is required for this paper, as well as the core material.
Questions require extended responses involving sustained reasoning.
Individual questions may develop a single theme or be divided into unconnected parts. Where this occurs, the unconnected parts will be clearly labeled as such.
Questions may be presented in form of words, symbols, diagrams or tables, or combinations of these.
Normally, each questions reflects in incline in difficulty, from relatively easy tasks at the start of a question to relatively difficult tasks at the end of the question. The emphasis is on problem solving.
This paper is worth 60 marks, representing 20% of the final mark. Approximately 15 marks are allocated to core material (or work of a similar level).
Questions in this section may be unequal in terms of lengths and level of difficulty. Therefore, individual questions may not necessarily be worth the same number of marks. The exact number of marks allocated to each question is indicated at the start of each question. Each section is worth 60 marks, and the overall level of difficulty of each section should be the same.
Portfolio 20%
of total score
Two pieces of work assigned by the teacher and completed by the candidate during the course.
The pieces of work must be based on different areas of the syllabus and represent the two types of tasks:
mathematical investigation
mathematical modeling
The portfolio is internally assessed by the
teacher and externally moderated by the IBO.