Andrew's IB Maths Vault

Hiya! This is yet another post in the Survival Paper series. Seven questions, seven opportunities to brush up on the basics. Today's test features quadratics, coordinate geometry and definite integrals, besides other topics. At this point, if you haven't yet mastered these basic skills, please go straight to the Survival Guide for a comprehensive checklist of the basics. Same as the last Survival Paper, all papers start with a B means calculator use is expected where appropriate. Survival Paper B3: B3 MS: B3 Scoring Guide: Andrew  

Hiya! Here's the unit test on vectors, to complete series Unit Test v2.3. The test has three standards as per usual - introduction to vectors, equations of lines and planes, and problems with lines and planes. A good old tip when dealing with any vectors question: please sketch it out! The answer will pop out readily in most cases. AAHL: AAHL MS: Andrew  

Hiya! Thank you for visiting my website. There's quite a lot of resources I've published over the years, and I know it can be overwhelming at first. You don't know where to start, what's the difference between various types of tests, and where to find everything. Look no further - this is the one-stop-shop for all your resources.  Unit tests: designed to stretch the best students but weaker folks should have enough opportunity to secure an A (in Unit Tests v1) or an A2 (in Unit Tests v2). The number of marks is not indicated for each question - the focus is on getting the easy questions completely correct , not a game of "how much partial credits do I get". To get grade (level) 7, you'll need to be very efficient - working well under time pressure is one of the things I'm also evaluating here. The unit tests for each topic can be found below. Algebra and functions (Topic 1 and 2)   Geometry, trigonometry and vectors (Topic 3) Statistics and probabi...

Hiya! After some absence I'm now back with another set of Booster Papers. Two reliable papers written in a similar style to the real exams, easier than mocks but still have considerable challenge. Paper 1 contains questions on discrete random variable, functions and optimisation. Paper 2 contains questions on functions, sequences and probability distributions, and plenty more besides. With about three weeks to M25, this is the final stretch. Keep at it and I'm sure you'll reap the rewards. Paper D1: Paper D1 MS: Paper D2: Paper D2 MS: Andrew  

Hiya! It's time for another Survival Paper, covering a ton of AASL topics in 50 minutes. Today's test features curve sketching, discrete RV and other topics that will show up on your finals. Different to previous times, you're allowed to use a calculator. Survival Paper B2: B2 MS: B2 Scoring Guide: Andrew  

Hiya! Now that the M25s are in progress, your finals are right around the corner. The third part of the series turns our attention to trig functions and identities - the one topic that defeats many SL/HL students.  The real problem usually comes from a weak understanding of the basics, as a lot of students "get by" trig by partial credits. This is the roadblock to level 7 - you'll need to be very comfortable with the simple stuff to have a real shot at these questions. In today's notes, we look at 5 examples and 6 practice questions, some of which only pertain to HL students. I hope you'll find the walkthrough useful. Notes: Andrew  

Hiya! As promised, your resident nerd is back with another set of booster papers. These are pitched at a similar level (actually, a little higher) than the real AASL exams. Paper 1 tests non-calc techniques while paper 2 focuses on certain-things-you-just-cannot-do-without-a-GDC. I tried to cover a wide range of topics, as per usual. There's exponential and logarithmic functions, there's integration, there's normal distribution, there's trigonometric functions, there's sequences.  Paper 1: Paper 1 MS: Paper 2: Paper 2 MS: Andrew  

Hiya! With just a bit more than a month before the exams, it's time to make sure your algebraic skills are up to par. There's still time to turn it around, but you gotta act fast. Good algebraic skills are a must if you want to get a respectable score on the exam. Today's test follows the same structure as Foundations of Algebra (v2.2) - there's a section on number skills, expanding brackets, factorisation, surds and negative indices, equations, simultaneous equations and inequalities. Use this as a template for AI if you'd like to generate more practice tests. AAHL: AAHL MS: AASL: AASL MS: Andrew  

Hiya! The Survival Papers made a comeback! In the run up to finals, I'll be posting Survival Papers biweekly. These papers follow the same content as the Survival Guide , intended to be more accessible than the Booster Papers and the mock exams, with the main purpose of helping students securing a 5 on their externals. This test covers various topics from the entire course. There's a question on trigonometric relationship, a question on sequences, a question on probability distributions and much more. 7 questions, 50 marks, 50 minutes, with a heavier emphasis in section A where many students get more of their marks from. Mark your work using the MS and use the Scoring Guide to track your progress. Survival Paper A6: Survival Paper A6 MS: Scoring Guide A6: May the odds be ever in your favour. Andrew