Explanations of the Mathematics course pathways.

The two courses have very different areas of focus - as shown below. It is important to realise at IGB that we offer Maths Analysis (MAA) at SL and HL and Maths Applications (MAI) at SL only. 

A simple way to understand for some is the Analysis and Approaches (MAA) courses is more of a traditional pure Mathematics while Applications and Interpretations (MAI) is more of a modern Applied Mathematics  with  a focus on Statistics. 

The key will be your Mathematics teachers will suggest which option would suit you best. Noting that the MAI SL course is probably the easiest to access, and the MAA HL course the most difficult and challenging. Remember to also check the What Universities Want section, and brief discussion below to check requirements for Mathematics especially from Engineering and Science based courses.

To the right is  a presentation outlining these differences in more detail. Below are documents published by the IB to help with this choice.  Below are two graphs that outline the different areas each of the Maths pathways focus upon.

Aims Applications and Interpretations (IB page for more detail)

SL - This course is an excellent foundation for students not going onto study a Mathematical subject at University. It is excellent support for social science degrees, and it is important to note most but not all medical degrees accept the MAI SL course.

Aims Analysis and Approaches (IB page for more detail)

SL - Is an excellent course for University, and is accepted for most subjects and courses apart from the ones stated below for the UK. Canadian and German Universities' often do not recognise MAI SL so if you are able to take this level of pure Mathematics it is often the safest choice to keep many options open for University.

HL - This course is most often asked for students wishing to do Engineering, Mathematics, Economics or Computer Science in prestigious Universities in the UK. Students should only choose this course if they have the academic ability (receiving A or A* at IGCSE in Add Maths if new to the school, or MYP grades in Criteria A of 8), and have the need e.g. requirements for course at University.

A Final Word - Remember to choose a level of Mathematics that you need, if you do not need the Higher Level for future studies then why choose it. Remember options choices in the IB are about balancing the workload and difficulty over six subjects.

Here is the subject brief for MAI SL.

Here is the subject brief for MAA SL and HL.