IB Math Internal Assessment Guidance
Topic selection, structure, mathematical development, and criterion by criterion feedback on your specific work.
I’ve guided students through every stage of the IA process across all four IB Math courses. From choosing a topic to reviewing a final draft, guidance is specific to your work and your criteria.
Apply for IA GuidanceApply with your course, stage, and deadline.
The IA Is Different From Everything Else in IB Math
I’ve worked with IB Math students across all four courses and guided them through every stage of the IA, from early topic ideas to final submission. That experience means I know where the criteria reward marks, where students consistently lose them, and what changes make the difference.
Worth 20% of Your Final Grade
The IA is the single largest individual component. A 12-20 page mathematical exploration where you choose the topic, the method, and the structure.
No Past Papers to Practise With
No timed conditions. No fixed method. No mark scheme to follow. The IA is assessed on how you explore, structure, and communicate mathematics.
Criteria That Are Easy to Misread
The IA is marked against five criteria that sound straightforward but reward very specific things. Most students lose marks not on maths, but on how they present, reflect, and communicate.
The difference between a 12 and an 18 is often not better maths. It’s better guidance on what the criteria actually require.
Where Students Lose Marks
After guiding 200+ IAs, the same problems appear repeatedly:
These mistakes cost marks every year. Most are fixable. But you need someone who knows the criteria well enough to spot them in your specific work before you submit.
The Five Criteria
Every IA is marked against five criteria totalling 20 marks. Here’s what each one actually rewards.
Presentation
Organisation, coherence, and conciseness. A focused 15-page IA outperforms a bloated 25-page one. Every section must earn its place.
Mathematical Communication
Clarity, correctness, and consistency of notation. Switching notation mid-exploration or using calculator syntax costs marks.
Personal Engagement
Independent thinking and ownership. Saying “I was personally engaged” earns nothing. Showing how you made choices earns marks.
Reflection
Critical evaluation of results and methods. “I calculated the result” is not reflection. Analysing what results mean and why methods were chosen is.
Use of Mathematics
Relevance, correctness, and demonstrated understanding. Correct answers without explaining why the method works will not reach top marks.
Mentorship, Not Editing
I guide. I don’t write or edit.
You do the work. I help you understand what the work should be. This is mentorship focused on the criteria, not a proofreading service.
Sessions are one-to-one on Zoom. I review your current progress, identify where you’re losing marks against the criteria, and give you specific direction on what to change.
Where Are You in the Process?
Topic validation, scope check, mathematical direction
Structure review, criterion alignment, gap identification
Criterion-by-criterion feedback before submission
Focused review of highest-impact improvements
Most students need 2-5 sessions depending on their stage. We discuss this after you apply.
New to the IA? Read the IB Math IA guide to understand how the criteria work.
Apply for IA GuidanceInclude your course, IA stage, and deadline. I’ll respond within 12 hours.
IA Results
IA Score 13 → 17
H. Choi’s first draft scored 13/20. His mathematics was strong, but Criterion C (Personal Engagement) and Criterion D (Reflection) were costing him marks. The IA described what was done but didn’t show independent thinking or critical analysis of results. We restructured the personal engagement narrative to show genuine decision-making. We sharpened the reflection to analyse limitations rather than summarise steps. Final score: 17/20. The 4-mark improvement came from Criteria C, D, and Presentation.
Read full case studyHis clear explanations helped me understand what Criterion C actually requires.
Common Questions
Everything you need to know about IA guidance before applying.
The earlier the better. Starting at topic selection avoids structural problems that are harder to fix later. But I work with students at any stage, including final draft review.
It depends on your stage and deadline. Students at the idea stage typically need 3-5 sessions. Students with a near-complete draft may need 1-2. We discuss this after you apply.
No. I guide you through the process and explain what the criteria require. You do the work. This is mentorship, not editing.
I can work with tight deadlines. Mention your deadline in your application and I’ll tell you what’s realistic.
Yes. I guide IAs across AA HL, AA SL, AI HL, and AI SL. The criteria are the same for all four courses, but the mathematical expectations differ. I adjust guidance to match your specific course level.
Yes. Whether you have a rough draft or a nearly finished IA, I can review it against the criteria and identify exactly what needs to change. Some of my most effective sessions are with students who have a complete draft but know something isn’t right.
Get IA Guidance
Apply with your course, IA stage, and deadline. I’ll respond within 12 hours.
Apply for IA Guidance