IB Group 5 subjects
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The Group Five of IB Diploma Programme subjects, subtitled mathematics and computer science consists of four levels of mathematics courses and an elective computer science course. To earn an IB Diploma, a candidate must pass at least one mathematics course. The mathematics courses are Mathematics (HL or SL), Mathematical Studies (SL), and Further Mathematics (SL).
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[edit] Mathematics HL and SL
Standard Level students study a subset of the material Higher Level students study, though to lesser depth (190 hours versus 240 hours). The core consists of these topics:
- Number and algebra
- Functions and equations
- Circular functions and trigonometry
- Vector geometry
- Matrices and transformations
- Statistics
- Probability
- Calculus
In addition to the core material, Higher Level candidates choose one optional topic from the following:
- Further statistics
- Sets, relations, and groups
- Discrete mathematics
- Differential equations and series
- (Euclidean geometry and conic sections was once an option but was removed with the 2004 curriculum revision and no longer appeared on HL exams as of the May 2006 exam session)
In theory students will have covered all of the topics and will choose their best one for the exam but in reality most schools simply teach one option and all of their students write that paper.
[edit] Assessment
At both levels, there is an internally assessed component worth 20% of the final mark, a portfolio comprising of:
- A mathematical investigation
- A mathematical modelling task
External assessments given in May are worth 80% of the final mark:
- Paper 1: 20 (15 at SL) short questions on the core
- Paper 2: 5 in-depth, extended questions on the core
- Paper 3: in-depth, extended questions relating to the chosen option
Papers 1 and 2 are two hours long each at HL and 1 hour and 30 minutes long each at SL. Paper 3 is one hour long and is only taken by HL students. In the past, in paper 1 maximum marks were awarded for a correct answer even if no work was shown, while partial marks were awarded if relevant work was shown without a correct answer. As of 2006, work must be shown for all papers.
This external assessment model will be modified as of May 2008. Under the new model, Paper 1 will be a non-calculator exam consisting of Section A (with questions similar to the "old" Paper 1) and Section B (with questions similar to the "old" Paper 2). Paper 2 will consist of similar Sections A and B, but students will be required to have graphing calculators for this paper. Paper 3 will be unchanged and will still require that students have graphing calculators. All calculator programs must be removed, and CAS (Computer Algebra System) calculators, such as the TI-89, and those with QWERTY keyboards are forbidden. Using them will result in a PRF[clarify], and the graders will deduct 10% of their overall work and report it on a PRF. If the calculator box is not filled in, they will give the examinee a calculator penalty of 1 mark and note it on the front cover.
[edit] Further Mathematics
The Further Mathematics course, offered only at the Standard Level, is the most rigorous of the Group Five courses. The course assumes knowledge of the core material of higher level course; its own core consists of all options of Mathematics HL and an additional unit of geometry. There are no options. Most students in Further Mathematics SL take it as their elective choice or as an extra subject, since the course is usually taken concurrently with Mathematics HL (unless Mathematics HL has already been completed as a certificate subject).
[edit] Mathematical Studies
Offered only at the Standard Level, this course is aimed at students not requiring mathematics in their future studies. It emphasises applying mathematics to real-world situations. Its core consists of:
- Number and algebra
- Sets and logic
- Geometry and trigonometry
- Statistics and probability
- Functions and equations
- Financial mathematics
- Introductory differential calculus
[edit] Assessment
- Individual piece of work involving the collection and generation, and analysis and evaluation of data (20%)
- Paper 1: 15 short questions on the core (1.5 hours)(40%)
- Paper 2: 5-6 in-depth questions on the core (1.5 hours)(40%)
