Group Five - Mathematics

What is the difference between Standard and Higher Level?

In math HL we learn everything you would in a normal norwegian math class, but in more depth. We go through topics like trigonometry, probability and statistics, calculus, functions, algebra and complex numbers. Mathematics HL may be comparable to the Norwegian mathematics R2 + some more. It is a great subject for people interested in mathematics and who want to study STEM courses later.

There is also an option that the student chooses from, which one of the exams will be based on. The options in math HL are statistics and probability, sets, relations and groups, discrete mathematics and calculus. In the HL course we learn a lot of theoretical math that will be useful for someone wanting to get into STEM courses later.

How do we learn?

in Mathematics Analysis and Approaches we learn through lectures and doing exercises. The IB maths teachers are committed and engaged in the subject. They have great knowledge of the curriculum, and will help you understand the problems and topics you have trouble with.

However, you will have to be prepared to do a lot of self-studying and working with exercises. You cannot only rely on what you are taught in class if you want to do well. Be prepared to work even if you do not have any “homework”!

How are we assessed in this subject?

Exams will make up most of your final grade. In Mathematics HL there are a total of three exams. These go by the names “Paper 1, 2 and 3”.

For Paper 1, you are not allowed to use a calculator, while you are on Paper 2 and 3. To some extent, Paper 1 may be compared to “Del 1” in Matematikk R1/R2. The exam lasts for 90 minutes, and covers the entire curriculum. In standard level there is Paper 1 and 2 similar to HL, but no Paper 3.

In Paper 2, you are allowed to use a graphical display calculator. In the IB, we do not use graphing computer software such as GeoGebra for our exams. However, you may still be asked to make sketches of graphs or use graphs to solve problems. For such graphs, you may use the graphical display calculator.

Both Paper 1 and 2 count for 25% of your final grade.

Paper 3 in Mathematics HL is an exam on the “option”.Paper 3 makes 20% of your final grade. You decide for yourself which option you want to study from the ones mentioned previously. Though you are free to pick your own option, the class normally decides on an option to do together. Then the teacher can give classes and lectures on the option like normal. You will, of course, have the opportunity to do another option if you prefer that, but that implies you will have to study the option by yourself. At Bergen Katedralskole, we have a history of choosing the “Statistics and Probability” option. The teachers all have experience of teaching this option, and it is by many considered to be the “easiest” one.

There is also the Internal Assessment (IA) that will account for 20% of your grade. This will be a 6-12 page essay based on a mathematical topic you find interesting. It is known as the “exploration”, and the purpose is for you to research an area of mathematics you find interesting and write an essay on this. The mathematics of the exploration should be in the IB curriculum and should be understandable by your fellow students and teachers. This is the same for Standard level and Higher level, although the assessment criteria varies.

What is the workload in this subject?

Mathematics HL is generally thought of as a difficult subject with a high workload. This is understandable because of the large curriculum, and the fact that mathematics often is a subject that many students find challenging.

Studying mathematics may differ from studying other subjects in the regard that you cannot just read the book and curriculum and make notes to exhale. In mathematics, you mostly learn by doing, and by trial and error. You do not have to be a mathematical superstar to study mathematics HL, but you have to be disciplined and committed, and willing to do a lot of exercises. Be prepared to do pretty much all of the exercises in the book!