IB Math AA SL exam-day guide
IB Math AA SL · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission documents and candidate number
Bring your candidate number/admission slip and any photo ID your school requires. needs_review - confirm the exact ID and admission-document policy with your IB coordinator before exam day.
Pens, pencils and geometry tools
Pack at least two black or blue pens, two pencils, an eraser, a sharpener and a transparent ruler. Write in pen unless the supervisor says otherwise; use pencil for diagrams.
Approved calculator for Paper 2
Paper 1 is non-calculator; Paper 2 requires your calculator. Bring the model your school has confirmed is permitted, with spare batteries or a full charge. needs_review - confirm the permitted model and any memory-clearing requirement with your coordinator.
Formula booklet expectations
The formula booklet is normally supplied in the exam room. Do not assume you may bring your own annotated copy. needs_review - confirm which booklets and materials will be on your desk.
Simple non-smart watch
A basic watch with no audible alarm and no smart features can help you pace the paper. needs_review - confirm watch rules with your supervisor.
Clear water bottle if allowed
If drink is permitted, bring a clear bottle with labels removed. needs_review - confirm food and drink rules for your exam room.
Timed practice under exam conditions
Complete at least one full Paper 1 without a calculator and one full Paper 2 with your calculator under timed conditions. Mark your work by method marks and accuracy marks, not just final answers.
Formula and command-term review sheet
Make a short list of formulas and command terms you repeatedly miss, and check them against the supplied booklet. Do not rely on memorising the booklet’s page layout.
Calculator settings check
Before Paper 2, check degree/radian mode, graph/table settings and battery status. Practise the functions you will actually use, and do not plan to borrow a calculator.
Session logistics
Confirm session times, room, arrival time and transport. needs_review - confirm the late-arrival policy with your coordinator.
Sleep and normal breakfast
Protect sleep in the final 72 hours and eat a normal breakfast. Late cramming of new topics has low return compared with pacing and formula recall.
Phone and smart-device plan
Leave smart devices at home or store them switched off exactly as instructed. Do not keep a phone or smart watch on your person during the paper.
Plan the day
Confirm your exam schedule, room, arrival time, ID requirements, calculator model and supplied materials. Build a packing list. If you have not already done so, complete one timed Paper 1 without a calculator and one timed Paper 2 with your calculator, then review errors by topic.
Review the formula booklet and command terms. Drill your weakest two or three topics with short mixed question sets. Stop introducing new content; consolidate what you already know.
Pack your bag: documents, pens, pencils, ruler, eraser, calculator, spare batteries, watch and water bottle if allowed. Check calculator batteries and mode. Do light review only and sleep at your normal time.
Avoid all-night cramming. Set two alarms, confirm transport and put your phone away. Write a short note of the three formulas or methods you most often forget.
Eat breakfast, arrive early and use the bathroom before entering the room. Check that you have your documents and calculator. Avoid frantic last-minute discussions with classmates.
Read the front instructions, check that no calculator is on your desk, and note the start and end time. Plan roughly one minute per mark plus time for reading and checking.
Show working, give exact answers where possible, and move on if a question stalls you. Use your ruler for diagrams and keep an eye on the clock. Leave 5–10 minutes to check answers and notation.
Check that your calculator is the permitted model, is switched on and is in the correct angle mode. Have spare pens and confirm the time remaining.
Use the calculator to support your method, not to replace it. Write down what you compute, watch rounding and store intermediate values carefully. Leave time to check units, accuracy and whether every question has an answer.
Scan for blank questions, missing units, unreasonable answers and calculator mode errors. Make sure no answer is left in a form the marker cannot follow.
Rules to check
Follow all supervisor instructions and use only permitted equipment. Phones and smart watches must be switched off and stored exactly as directed.
Bring the ID and admission documents your school requires. needs_review - confirm the exact ID policy with your coordinator before exam day.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the paper, and do not borrow or share calculators, rulers or formula booklets.
If your calculator fails, raise your hand and follow supervisor instructions; do not borrow another candidate’s calculator without permission.
Breaks are not normally allowed during a paper; if you need to leave the room, raise your hand. needs_review - confirm the break and toilet policy with the provider.
Marks are awarded for method and accuracy, so show working even when you use a calculator. Give final answers with the required units and accuracy.
Academic honesty applies throughout: no unauthorised notes, no smart devices and no writing after time is called. Follow any instruction to clear calculator memory.
Late arrival and absence policies vary. needs_review - confirm them in advance with your IB coordinator rather than assuming you will be admitted late.