SECRETS of test taking

PAPERS Mathematics SL  Paper 1 – 40% (1 hr 30 min) No calculator allowed Section A - Compulsory short-response questions Section B - Compulsory extended-response questions  Paper 2 - 40% (1 hr 30 min) Graphing Calculator Required

PAPERS Mathematics HL  Paper 1 – 30% (2 hours) No calculator allowed Section A - Compulsory short-response questions Section B - Compulsory extended-response questions  Paper 2 - 30% (2 hours) Graphing Calculator Required Section A - Compulsory short-response questions Section B - Compulsory extended-response questions  Paper 3 - 20% (1 hour) Graphing Calculator Required Compulsory extended-response questions based mainly on Calculus

Questions Questions increase in difficulty (typically) Part A #1 – 7 Part B #8 – 10 Even though #8, 9, 10 are more difficult, you can do the first parts TRY!

If a problem has three marks, then you should have three lines of work Number of Marks If a problem has three marks, then you should have three lines of work Spend one minute per mark (thus three minutes)

COMMAND TERMS By understanding and following the command terms, you could increase your score 5 – 10 marks.

HENCE Must do EXACTLY what IB wants…a specific approach COMMAND TERMS HENCE Must do EXACTLY what IB wants…a specific approach HENCE, otherwise Gives a hint for student approach, but will accept more.

Show Show steps in calculations. COMMAND TERMS Show that Cannot work backwards or plug in values to show it works. STEPS must be shown. Pretend a non-math person is grading. Use extra time if you have any. Show Show steps in calculations.

Draw Very particular precision. COMMAND TERMS Sketch Some detail, but accurate. Don’t put arrows if they give domain. Not a function unless they give domain. Shape first, then max or min or x-int. Draw Very particular precision.

COMMAND TERMS Write down Little to no work. No work needs to be shown. State No work or explanation Solve Obtain answer. Show work

COMMAND TERMS Determine Only one possible answer. Show work. Find Show work. Obtain answer On paper 2: show equation that goes into calculator. Calculate Same as fine