IB Math AA Paper 1 can feel like a wall. No calculator, tight timing, and multi-step questions that seem to stack ideas on top of each other. Many students know the content, but still lose marks because they lack a clear method.
Paper 1 is the non-calculator exam. For Standard Level (SL) it is 90 minutes, and for Higher Level (HL) it is 120 minutes. Both have two sections, A and B, with short and extended questions.
A simple, repeatable strategy often boosts scores more than doing random questions. This guide gives you a step-by-step plan from today until exam day. It focuses on non-calculator skills, time management, and how to write your work so the examiner can award you full marks.
Understand the IB Math AA Paper 1 Format Before You Start Studying
Photo by Louis Bauer
Strong preparation starts with knowing the exact rules of Paper 1. When you know the structure, timing, and style of questions, your practice becomes sharper and less random.
For a clear overview of the official structure, you can see the IB specimen papers in the document from the IB itself: Mathematics: analysis and approaches specimen papers.
Once you understand the format, every minute of study can match what the exam actually tests.
IB Math AA Paper 1 basics: timing, sections, and non-calculator rules
Paper 1 is non-calculator for both SL and HL.
- SL: 90 minutes
- HL: 120 minutes
Both levels have:
- Section A: Short-answer questions, usually more direct, with smaller mark values.
- Section B: Longer, structured questions that build over several parts.
Section A often checks core skills and quick methods. Section B asks you to connect ideas in a longer chain, for example using algebra, then calculus, then interpretation in one problem.
In most course guides, Paper 1 is a large share of the final grade. A typical breakdown suggests around 40% for SL and 30% for HL, as reflected in summaries. This means every mark and every minute matters.
Because no calculator is allowed, Paper 1 tests:
- Mental and written arithmetic
- Algebraic manipulation
- Exact values and clean fractions
- Reasoned steps, not only final results
If you prepare with a calculator in your hand, you will feel stuck in the real exam. Build habits that match this non-calculator rule from the start.
Topics that appear often on Paper 1 and what examiners like to test
Paper 1 pulls from the whole syllabus, but certain topics appear very often, especially in non-calculator form. Tutors and students often highlight these.
Common areas include:
- Algebra: expressions, equations, inequalities, logarithms, sequences and series.
- Functions: domain and range, inverse and composite functions, transformations, quadratics.
- Calculus: basic differentiation and integration, gradients, tangents, basic optimization.
- Graphs: interpreting graphs, intercepts, turning points, sketching by hand.
- Probability and vectors: core rules, geometric ideas, and short reasoning parts.
Paper 1 often links topics in one question. For example:
- Start with an algebraic function
- Then differentiate it
- Then use the result to find a maximum value
- Then interpret what that value means in context
Examiners want to see understanding, not just memorized recipes. They reward students who:
- Explain steps
- Use correct notation
- Connect the math to the story in the question
Good practice does not only drill skills. It also trains you to read a question, see which topics are hidden inside, and plan a path to the answer.
How Paper 1 marking works and why showing clear work gives you free marks
Paper 1 uses a marking scheme with two main ideas:
- Method marks (M): for a correct step or strategy.
- Accuracy marks (A): for a correct result that follows from the method.
You can earn method marks even if your final answer is wrong. That is why clear working is so powerful.
Example:
Solve: 3x + 5 = 20.
If a student writes:
- 3x = 20 − 5
- 3x = 15
- x = 5
They get full marks.
If a student writes:
- 3x = 20 + 5
- 3x = 25
- x = 25 ÷ 3
They may still earn a method mark for trying to isolate x in a valid way, even though they moved 5 to the other side incorrectly.
To gain these method marks:
- Show each algebraic step in a new line.
- Use correct symbols, for example, f'(x) for a derivative, ln(x) for natural log.
- State units in word problems.
- Draw and label diagrams where helpful.
Think of your solution as a short story for the examiner. If they can follow the story, they can award marks, even if one number went wrong.
Build Strong Non-Calculator Skills for IB Math AA Paper 1
A strong Paper 1 score rests on clean, fast, non-calculator skills. The goal is not only knowing how to do a question, but doing it quickly and with few slips.
A clear four-step plan helps organize your study time.
Step 1: Fix gaps in core algebra, fractions, and equations
Weak algebra drags down Paper 1 results, even for students who understand calculus. Errors with fractions, indices, or simple equations often spread through an entire question.
Key skills to review:
- Simplifying expressions and collecting like terms
- Expanding and factoring brackets (especially quadratics)
- Working with fractions, including common denominators
- Laws of indices and roots
- Solving linear equations and inequalities
- Solving quadratic equations (factoring, formula, completing the square)
Create a short checklist. For each skill, do 2 or 3 questions:
- If you get them right and fast, tick the skill.
- If you hesitate or make errors, mark it for more practice.
Spend 10 to 15 minutes a day on quick algebra drills. Keep questions short. Focus on speed and accuracy.
Over a few weeks, this daily habit removes small errors that normally cost easy Paper 1 marks.
Step 2: Master functions, graphs, and common IB question patterns
Functions sit at the center of IB Math AA. They appear alone and combined with calculus, probability, or algebra.
Core ideas to master:
- Domain and range, especially from function rules and from graphs
- Inverse functions, both concept and algebra
- Composite functions, like f(g(x))
- Quadratic functions: vertex, axis of symmetry, intercepts
- Reading key points from graphs, including turning points and asymptotes
Paper 1 often asks you to:
- Find the equation of a function from given points.
- Solve f(x) = g(x) by equating two functions.
- Use a graph to read off intercepts or turning points.
- Interpret the meaning of a point or slope in context.
Since no calculator is allowed, sketching is important. Practice:
- Drawing a quick, neat sketch for quadratics, exponentials, or simple trig curves.
- Labeling intercepts, maxima, minima, and axes.
- Marking important x-values and y-values to support your reasoning.
Clear sketches help you gain method marks, even if your final number is not perfect.
Step 3: Strengthen calculus skills without a calculator
Calculus questions on Paper 1 favor clean rules and simple numbers. You need to perform the processes quickly, by hand.
For SL, key ideas include:
- Differentiation using the power rule
- Finding gradients and tangents to curves
- Simple optimization problems (maxima and minima)
- Basic integration as anti-derivatives
- Simple area under a curve
For HL, add:
- Product and quotient rule
- More complex composite functions
- More involved optimization and area questions
A useful training method:
- One session for only derivatives, for example 10 functions in a row.
- One session for only integrals.
- One session for applied problems that use those skills in context.
This grouping builds speed and pattern recognition. When the exam comes, you will not waste time recalling basic rules.
Step 4: Practice probability and vectors with clean, logical steps
Probability and vectors often appear as short questions or as parts of longer ones. They reward clear logic and careful notation.
For probability, focus on:
- Tree diagrams and sample spaces
- Conditional probability, including P(A|B)
- Basic discrete distributions (for example, simple binomial ideas, if in your course)
For vectors, focus on:
- Vector notation in 2D and 3D
- Addition, subtraction, and scalar multiplication
- Magnitude and direction
- Lines described by vector equations
- Angles between vectors using the dot product (HL in more depth)
In both topics:
- Draw diagrams where possible.
- Label events, points, and vectors clearly.
- Check if answers are sensible. Probabilities must be between 0 and 1; vector magnitudes must be non-negative.
When your reasoning is well organized, you gain method marks even if you miscalculate one value.
Use a Proven Exam Strategy for IB Math AA Paper 1 on Test Day
Strong content knowledge is not enough. You also need a clear plan for how to use your 90 or 120 minutes.
Plan your time: how to split minutes between Section A and Section B
Start with a simple rule:
- Use marks per minute as a guide. For many exams, a rough rule is about 1 minute per mark, then a small buffer to check.
- For SL, many students aim for around 45 minutes for Section A and 45 minutes for Section B.
- For HL, adjust by comparing total marks in each section.
In the first 3 to 5 minutes of the exam:
- Scan the whole paper.
- Circle questions that look familiar and short.
- Put a small mark by questions that look longer or harder.
During the main work time:
- Do not stay stuck on one part for more than 3 to 4 minutes.
- If you do not see a path, leave a small mark and move on.
In the last 5 minutes:
- Check units, signs, and whether you answered every part.
- Revisit any short parts you skipped.
This simple time plan reduces panic and keeps marks flowing.
Smart order of attack: which Paper 1 questions to do first
The order you choose can change how you feel during the exam.
A useful strategy:
- Start with the easier, shorter questions you marked during your scan.
- Move to medium questions that look familiar but longer.
- Leave the hardest or strangest parts for the end.
This order:
- Builds confidence early.
- Secures many easy and medium marks.
- Prevents you from spending 20 minutes on a 4-mark part.
For Section B:
- Read the entire extended question first.
- Underline key data, such as given values, domains, or conditions.
- Jot a quick note in the margin about which topics appear, for example, “functions + derivative + interpretation”.
Remember that skipping a question at first is not failure. It is a smart choice that protects your overall score.
Show clear working and use the formula booklet like a pro
Your written work should match the way IB markschemes are set up. This makes it easier for the examiner to award you marks.
Good habits include:
- Define variables at the start if the problem introduces a new symbol.
- Write equations clearly, one per line.
- Show substitutions, not just the answer.
- Box or underline final answers.
The IB formula booklet is allowed. Before exam day, you should:
- Print it and mark important pages for your level.
- Practice using it during timed work, so you know where formulas are found.
- Avoid trying to memorize formulas that are already given in the booklet, and instead focus on knowing when to use them.
Correct notation matters. For instance:
- Use f'(x) or dy/dx for derivatives.
- Use ln(x) for natural log.
- Use column or bold notation for vectors as taught in class.
Small notation errors can lose marks in higher level questions, even when your idea is correct.
Avoid common Paper 1 mistakes that cost easy marks
Many students lose marks for reasons that are easy to fix with habit.
Frequent errors:
- Forgetting units in answers that involve length, area, or time.
- Rounding too early in a multi-step calculation.
- Misreading graphs, for example, reading x instead of y.
- Dropping negative signs in algebra or calculus.
- Mixing degrees and radians in trig questions.
- Leaving parts of a question blank.
Simple checks:
- After each question, read the last line of the prompt again. Make sure the form of your answer matches what was asked.
- Scan your work for signs, especially when differentiating or expanding brackets.
- If you are unsure, still write something logical. You may gain method marks.
Over time, these habits can protect several marks in every Paper 1.
Practice Plan: How to Train for IB Math AA Paper 1 Week by Week
You now have the skills and exam strategies. The final step is to put them into a clear practice plan.
You will improve more by doing steady, targeted practice than by rushing through random questions.
Set clear score goals and track your Paper 1 progress
Start with a realistic target grade. For example:
- “I want a 6 overall.”
- Look at past grade boundaries to estimate the Paper 1 score that supports that grade.
Then set a raw mark goal for Paper 1, such as “aim for around 65 to 70 marks” if that fits recent grade boundaries and your level. Boundaries change each year, so treat this as a guide, not a fixed rule.
Create a simple table in your notebook:
| Practice Set | Date | Score / Marks | Main Weak Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 SL May 2021 Sec A | Feb 10 | 34 / 40 | Functions, units in answers |
| Topic quiz: Probability | Feb 15 | 12 / 20 | Conditional probability steps |
| Paper 1 HL Specimen | Feb 22 | 50 / 80 | Vectors, optimization |
Use this to spot patterns. If you always miss marks in functions or probability, focus future study sessions there.
Honest tracking helps you see real progress over time.
Weekly routine: mix topic drills and full IB-style Paper 1 practice
A simple weekly routine can fit around other IB subjects. You can adjust the length based on SL or HL workload.
Example weekly plan:
- Day 1: 20–30 minutes on core algebra and fractions.
- Day 2: 30 minutes on functions and graphs, including sketches.
- Day 3: 30 minutes on calculus drills (derivatives or integrals).
- Day 4: 30 minutes on weaker topics, such as probability or vectors.
- Day 5: One timed practice, either a full Section A or a mixed set of questions.
- Day 6 or 7: Light review, check mistake log, and rest.
Use official past papers and IB-style questions from your textbook.
As the exam gets closer:
- Increase the length of timed sets.
- Move from single-section practice to full Paper 1 practice.
- Try to simulate exam conditions: quiet room, no phone, strict timing, formula booklet only.
The goal is to make the real exam feel like just one more practice session.
Review solutions like an examiner and learn from every mistake
Review is where most learning happens. Many students skip this step and miss a chance to improve.
After each practice paper:
- Mark your work using the official markscheme.
- Pay attention to where method marks are given.
- Compare your solutions to model answers.
Look for:
- Steps you missed, such as justification or explanation.
- Notation that the markscheme expects.
- Where you lost marks for small slips.
Keep a mistake log with three short columns:
- What the question asked
- What you did wrong
- What you will do next time
Example entry:
- Q: Find inverse function and state domain.
- Error: Found inverse but forgot to restrict domain.
- Fix: When finding inverse of a quadratic, always write the new domain.
Over time, this habit turns each past paper into a strong learning tool. You are not just chasing a higher score; you are training to think like an examiner.
Conclusion: Turn Paper 1 From Stress to a Solid Strength
IB Math AA Paper 1 does not have to stay scary. When you know the format, strengthen key non-calculator skills, follow a clear time plan, and review practice like an examiner, you build real confidence.
Even if you do not feel strong in math now, steady, focused work can raise your grade. The exam rewards clear thinking and clear working, not magic tricks.
Next steps to start today:
- Make a short algebra checklist and test each skill with a few quick questions.
- Schedule one timed Section A or mini Paper 1 for this week.
- Print the formula booklet, read through it, and mark key pages for your level.
With these simple actions, you move from random practice to a structured path toward a stronger Paper 1 result.
