Andrew's Guide to IB Mathematics Universe

Assessment Theory 101: Compensatory vs Mastery Model Hi everyone, This post is more targeted at fellow teachers, tutors and assessment enthusiasts, but of course students are welcome to learn more about the various grading systems. Today's post is on compensatory model vs mastery model. For simplicity, compensatory model is often used in external assessments in many countries, but there's nothing stopping us from adopting the mastery model on end-of-unit assessments in class. To keep it simple, let's consider a short end-of-unit test on logarithms consisting of three topics: use properties of logarithms to simplify expressions solve exponential and logarithmic equations solve modelling problems involving exponential and logarithmic functions Each topic is worth 10 marks, giving a total of 30 marks for the whole paper. The pass mark is 50%, so 15/30 marks. Notice that there's a LOT of paths that would get students to 15/30. To illustrate my point later on, we'll cons

Hey y'all. This unit test is long  overdue; I just couldn't find the inspiration to write a decent unit test on trig relationships. The SL version will be uploaded soon; it's mostly identical to the HL paper, maybe one fewer question and lower "grade boundaries". Enjoy! AAHL/AASL Unit Test: AAHL/AASL MS:

Hi y'all! N24, your exams are right around the corner. I'll do what I can to help you get the best mark possible, but most of the work falls on your shoulder.  Today I'm back with a unit test on Sequences and Series; it's been a while since I last posted a test on this because I haven't found enough challenging questions when putting together this document. Enjoy! AAHL: AAHL MS:  May the odds be ever in your favour. Andrew

Hey y'all! A little different from my regularly scheduled posts, this time around I'm just gonna make some quick announcements! For many, a new school year is right around the corner (or already started!) and some of you have apprehensions going into the course, especially AAHL, perhaps due to your friends and upperclassmen scaring you (they're not entirely wrong) or you just realised you're totally out of your depth since day one (oop-). It's not too late to get help. For new DP1s, a solid foundation of algebra will save you SO MANY MARKS on exams. Every high-performing student will tell you to focus on algebra earlier on because it's worth half of the marks on some questions. Quadratics in trigonometry, simultaneous equations in sequences and series, you name it. The gaps in your basics will come back and bite you if you aren't careful. For current DP2s, lots of you have a hard time with trig functions, equations and identities. Unfortunately, there's

Hey there new DP1s (and anyone interested!) A new school year is on the horizon and as a tradition I'll send you a gift to help you prepare yourself mentally for the course: AAHL Foundations of Algebra Unit Test. The same test can be used for SL, though you don't need to tick every single box like the HL kiddos. If you find these questions difficult, it's time to revisit the Foundations of Algebra Unit or ask your teacher for additional work. Don't kick the can down the road; algebra will come back and bite you in just a month's time. Unit Test:   MS:   May the odds be ever in your favour, Andrew

Hey there kiddos! It's been a year since I last posted anything on vectors. Happy to report that it will be changed today!   Go ahead and find the latest set of unit tests below. This set is, hopefully, still difficult but manageable for many of you. AAHL Vectors: Vectors MS: May the odds be ever in your favour.

Hello hello hello! You may have wondered where have I been in the last month. June was pretty busy for me, especially in the first half of the month. Also I've been thinking about revamping the trigonometry units, making sure that every one of you can easily solve most trig equations on your exams, so that's taking up some time as well. Now I'm back with a unit test on Further Calculus, covering Maclaurin series and differential equations. These topics are not inherently challenging but it'll poke all the holes in your differential and integral calculus. The usual plugs before we get on: I'm available for private and group tutoring - just fill out the form and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Let me know if there's any resources you want me to make. Can't make any promises but I'll consider it for sure!   Allow me to introduce the McClaury test! and the MS:

Hey y'all! DP2, hope you enjoyed the summer right before uni. Make the most of it; this may be the last summer you'll ever have to yourself. DP1 and anyone in between, remember to take breaks from your study sessions and reflect on how far you've come. For many students it's a wake up call, for others it's a sign of relief that you know a lot more than you do. If you're a little discouraged after having a go at the unit tests, as long as you're scoring higher as time goes on you're well on your way to a 7.    AASL   AASL MS   AAHL   AAHL MS  

Hey there kiddos! M24 exam series is just over. I had a look at the papers and frankly, if you've been studying hard and using all the resources I have to offer I'd say you can land a 7 without too much effort. I am now back with the second part of the calculus trio - Integration. For best results, AAHL students need to take both the SL and the HL papers. I personally think there's too much stuff that a single paper for HL wouldn't do it justice, though the test is just 30 minutes longer than the differentiation one. Without any further ado, let's get this bread. AASL: AASL Answers: AAHL: AAHL Answers:

Hello hello! With just under 12 hours before the AA final exams, here's my last gift to M24: a set of unit tests. This is not for the weak. If you want a motivation boost, go straight to my survival papers, not here. May the odds be ever in your favour. c: AASL: AASL MS: AAHL: AAHL MS: Andrew