Mathematics HL

By: E. Zhao Hang

Math HL is fast-paced course for those of you who love to solve challenging mathematical problems. In two-years, you will gain an in-depth understanding of concepts from various areas in math, such as algebra, functions, trigonometry, vectors, statistics, and calculus.

Math HL is notorious for being one of the hardest IB subjects. But if you are passionate about maths, willing to work hard, and have a natural aptitude for the subject, then I encourage you to try Math HL. Understanding all the material requires a considerable amount of effort inside and outside of class, and learning how to apply your knowledge creatively to solve the tricky exam questions is exceptionally hard at first, but the satisfaction you get when you successfully complete the course is worth all the hard work.

The assessment model for Math HL is as follows:

1. External assessment:
   1. Paper 1 (non-calculator) – Core – 30%
   2. Paper 2 (calculator) – Core – 30%
   3. Paper 3 (calculator) – Option (additional university-level topic chosen by the class) – 20%
2. Internal assessment (externally moderated):
   1. Mathematical exploration (around 12 pages) – written work where you explore an area of mathematics that you choose – 20%

​While I really enjoyed my experience with Math HL, I know that this subject is not for everyone. Before you choose this challenging yet rewarding course, carefully consider whether it is strongly related to what you want to pursue in the future, because if not, it may be better to lessen your workload in this area so that you can have more time for your other IB subjects.