IB Math IA isn’t about inventing new math
It’s about showing your ability to explore math personally. Choosing a simpler, familiar topic can boost your grades, but the key is to make it unique.
Here’s why simpler topics work:
- Familiar Evaluation Criteria: Examiners are used to seeing common topics like modeling or correlation, so grading expectations are clear and well-established.
- Plenty of Resources: Topics like correlation between study hours and grades have abundant sample IAs, past papers, and online guides, making research easier.
- More Time for Depth: A simpler topic lets you focus on deeper analysis rather than struggling with unfamiliar concepts.
- Lower Risk of Getting Stuck: Complex topics like chaos theory might sound impressive, but if you can’t explain them clearly, you risk losing points for coherence.
A well-executed “simple” topic will outshine a poorly done “complex” one—but it must be unique. Many IB teachers advise against topics like modelling or correlation because students often follow the same pattern, producing nearly identical IAs. Markers may not award high marks if your IA feels like one of 20 similar reports. The trick? Choose a familiar topic, but add extra mathematical depth and personal engagement to make it stand out. The IA criteria reward mathematical communication, personal engagement, and reflection—not a topic novelty. A unique IA on a simple topic can score a 7 if it’s deeply analyzed and personally engaging, while a generic one might struggle to hit a 5.
How to Add Depth and Uniqueness to Simple Topics
Elevate a simple topic with these strategies:
- Mathematical Depth: Go slightly beyond the curriculum—e.g., if you’re modelling population growth, use differential equations instead of just exponential functions.
- Analytical Depth: Develop two models and compare them (e.g., linear vs. quadratic regression for a correlation study), or add social-cultural meaning to your results, like discussing how your findings reflect community trends.
- Personal Stories: Wrap your project with your story—share your motivation, like why you chose to study sleep patterns after struggling with late-night study sessions.
- Show Passion: Highlight your enthusiasm by taking action—email your results to a local organization to make a difference, or conduct a simple survey related to your topic, like asking classmates about their study habits.
Guidance Questions to Choose the Right Topic
Use these questions to pick a topic that sets you up for a strong, unique IA:
- Q1: Am I confident explaining the main math concept?
- Q2: Am I focusing on one clear question and possible to explore it thoroughly within the 12-page limit without feeling rushed?
- Q3: Can I picture the IA’s structure from start to finish (intro, analysis, calculations, discussion, etc)?
- Q4: Do I have enough data and resources for this topic?