Maximising your marks in IB Maths
If you are an IBDP 2 student, succeeding in your IB exams is likely at the forefront of your mind. Doing well in your exams starts with undertaking regular and consistent revision of your subjects. Knowing a few techniques to avoid making costly errors can help you feel confident on exam day and enable you to earn the marks you deserve. Perhaps no where is this more important than with your IB Maths exam where simple errors are easy to make and sometimes difficult to spot. Luckily, our IB author, Ian Lucas, is sharing an excerpt from his IB Maths study guides to give you some strategies on how to maximise your marks.
How to maximise your marks in IB Maths
Remember that the examiner is on your side - they want to give you marks! Make it easy for them to follow your thinking, even if you are not quite sure what you are doing or if you are getting wrong answers. You cannot lose marks for doing things wrong. LEARN THIS CHECKLIST.
Before you start a question:
Read it carefully so you know what it is about.
Highlight important words.
Answering a question:
Check any calculations you do, preferably using a different method or order of operation.
Show your working - there are often marks for method as well as for the right answer. And, in a longer question, a wrong answer at the start may mean lots more wrong answers - but the examiner will probably give you marks for correct methods, and will check your working against your original answer.
Make sure you have answered exactly what the question asked. For example, have you been asked to calculate the new value of an investment or the amount of interest earned.
In longer questions, don’t worry if you can’t work out the answer to a part. Carry on with the rest, using their answer (if one is given) or even making up a reasonable answer.
Don’t spend too long on any question or part of a question - you may lose the opportunity to answer easier questions later on. You can always come back and fill in gaps. Work to one mark per minute!
The algebra can be tough - keep going!
Check the units in questions - are they mixed?
Diagrams:
Do not assume facts from diagrams, especially if they are marked NOT TO SCALE. For example, it may look like a right angle but does the question tell you that it is? Two lines may look parallel but they aren’t unless you are told they are.
And do draw your own diagrams - not necessarily to hand in as part of the question, but to help you sort out what’s going on.
Key words in questions (“command terms”)
STATE: put the answer down without working (should be an easy one)!
WRITE DOWN: minimal working required.
SHOW: show enough working to get to the given answer.
EVALUATE: give a value to, work out.
SKETCH A GRAPH: draw its shape and show key points (eg: where it cuts the axes).
PLOT A GRAPH: work out points and draw the graph accurately.
EXACT VALUE: not a rounded decimal (eg: 2π, not 6.28…).
When you have answered the question
Check you have answered every part of the question.
Check you have answered exactly what was asked.
Check you have answered to the correct accuracy (normally 3SF).
Check that what you have written is clear, and that your answer is not mixed up in the working somewhere.
DO THESE CHECKS - you will probably pick up a few marks.
For more help with your IB Maths revision
Commit the advice given above to memory (bookmark this page if it helps) and apply it as you revise for your IB Maths exams. You can start using these tips straight away with the practice questions you complete at home or in class. If you have mock exams coming up it’s a great opportunity to apply this advice and see how you do. You can learn from your experience and make adjustments before your final IB exams.
If you are looking for more helpful hints on how to succeed in IB Maths, be sure to check out our subject pages for IB Maths Analysis and Approaches and IB Maths Applications & Interpretation. The subject pages have articles that explain mathematical concepts and tools to help you deepen your understanding of IB Maths, you can also discover our range of IB Maths study guides which offer a thorough review of syllabus topics, worked examples, and lots of practice questions to get you exam ready.
