This document outlines the top 6 mistakes students make on their IB Math Internal Assessment (IA). These include: 1) excessive writing and working beyond the recommended page limit, 2) failing to cite sources, 3) using complicated math just to raise the level without real understanding, 4) not properly labeling tables, graphs and charts, 5) insufficient independent research beyond common textbook problems or websites, and 6) lacking explanation of calculator workings such as how functions were derived. For more tips, students are advised to visit the listed website or email.

1. IB MATH INTERNAL
ASSESSMENT
B Y I B S U P E R
T O P S I X M I S T A K E S M A D E I N

2. 1. EXCESSIVE
WRITING & WORKING
The IB Math SL and HL guide
recommends 6 - 12 pages for the
Math IA. Repetitive working and
content should be removed

3. 2. MISSING
CITATIONS
Many students neglect to cite sources
in their IAs. This amounts to
plagiarism and students will be
penalized.

4. 3. USING COMPLICATED MATH
JUST TO
RAISE THE LEVEL OF MATH
Students copy complicated Math from Math
journals without demonstrating a real
understanding of the Math. Examiners can tell that
students lack real understanding.

5. 4. NOT LABELING
TABLES AND GRAPHS
All tables, graphs and charts have to be labeled. If
examiners struggle to guess what these graphs and
tables are trying to demonstrate, marks will be
deducted.

6. 5. INSUFFICIENT
RESEARCH
Students who copy common textbook problems or
reproduce topics from websites such as Khan
Academy or Numberphile usually do not score well.
Try to do in-depth research and come up with your
own topics

7. 6. LACK OF EXPLANATION OF
CALCULATOR WORKING
Students inserted the mathematical model
obtained from the calculator without much
explanation. For example, modelling of musical
notes is one of the more popular IAs. Students just
plotted the function without much explanation on
how the function was derived.

8. NEED MORE TIPS?
Visit www.ibsuper.com.sg
or shoot us an email at hello@ibsuper.com.sg