IB Maths AA HL mock exam: what is on it and how to revise
The paper format, a free full Paper 1 to sit, a 2-week and a 4-week revision plan, and the AA HL mistakes that cost the most marks. Everything here is free.
By Pete Bromfield, former Head of Maths with IB examining experience (independent)
What is on the AA HL mock
Your school writes or chooses your mock, so ask your teacher which papers and topics are in it. Most mocks copy the format of the real exam, which for AA HL is:
| Paper | Time | Calculator | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 2 hours | No calculator | 30% |
| Paper 2 | 2 hours | Calculator (GDC) | 30% |
| Paper 3 | 1 hour 15 minutes | Calculator (GDC) | 20% |
| Internal assessment | Coursework | – | 20% |
The formula booklet is given in every paper. The internal assessment (your exploration) is coursework, so it is not part of a mock. Paper 3 is two long problem-solving questions. More on each paper: AA HL past papers · AA HL formula booklet guide.
Sit a free AA HL mock paper
Sit one paper under timed conditions before you revise: the marks you lose tell you which topics to fix first.
Start here
A full Paper 1 mock, free
Our own Paper 1 for AA HL, written in the IB format: 2 hours, no calculator, with a full markscheme. The first section is open to everyone; a free account (no card) opens the whole paper.
These are our Prediction Papers, not IB papers. The other papers come with an IB plan or the free 7-day trial.
Marked as you go
Interactive practice papers
Short papers you answer on screen, with instant feedback and worked solutions. No sign-up.
Print it
Unit practice exams (PDF)
One printable exam per unit, each with its own mark scheme. Good for a mock on just the units you have covered.
2-week AA HL mock revision plan
Ten days on topics, in the order students lose the most marks, then four days on papers. HL papers can test the SL core as well as the HL topics, so each step below mixes the two. Each topic links to free exam-style questions and a Skill Builder.
- Days 1 and 2
Calculus
- Days 3 and 4
Number and algebra
- Days 5 and 6
Geometry and trigonometry
- Days 7 and 8
Statistics and probability
- Days 9 and 10
Functions
- Day 11
Paper 1, timed
Sit the free Prediction Paper 1 in one go, timed, with the formula booklet.
- Day 12
Mark it and fix the gaps
Mark it with the markscheme, put every lost mark in My mistakes, then do the Skill Builder for your two weakest topics.
- Day 13
Paper 2 and Paper 3 practice
Do Practice Paper 2, then one question from Paper 3 practice questions.
- Day 14
Formulas and calculator
Learn the formulas that are not in the booklet, then run the calculator exam-day checklist. Rest the evening before.
4-week AA HL mock revision plan
Four weeks lets you cover every unit and sit two full papers. Topics with the most exam-style questions come first in each unit.
Show the 4 weeks, topic by topic
- Week 1
Calculus · Number and algebra
Start with a diagnostic: the free first section of Prediction Paper 1, timed. Then:
Calculus
- Advanced Integration
- Differential Equations and Maclaurin
- Advanced Differentiation
- Applications of Differentiation SL core
- Kinematics SL core
Number and algebra
- Week 2
Geometry and trigonometry · Statistics and probability
Geometry and trigonometry
- Reciprocal and Inverse Trig Functions
- Vector Lines
- Planes
- Geometry and Right Angled Trigonometry SL core
- Non right angled trigonometry SL core
Statistics and probability
End the week by redoing everything in My mistakes.
- Week 3
Functions, then a full paper
Functions
- Odd, Even, Inverse, Inequalities and Modulus
- Polynomials and Rational Functions
- Transformations and Modulus
- Function fundamentals SL core
- Rational and Reciprocal Functions SL core
At the weekend, sit the whole Prediction Paper 1 timed and mark it.
- Week 4
Papers and the last gaps
Sit Practice Paper 1 (no calculator), Practice Paper 2 and Paper 3 practice questions, each timed. Spend the days between on the Skill Builders for your weakest topics, the formulas to memorise and the calculator checklist.
Want the four weeks ticked off and a reminder each Monday? Mock Season Plan counts back from your mock date. Only 12 days? Use the 12-day AA HL mock plan.
The AA HL mistakes that cost the most marks
From our summary of the IB’s published subject reports for AA HL. Check your mock against each one.
Accuracy: early rounding, 2 s.f. answers and ignoring the stated number of decimal places
Fix: Store full values and round once, at the end: exact or 3 s.f. unless told otherwise. When a question says "to 6 decimal places", do exactly that. For a given answer, show your value to more figures than the printed one.
"Show that" and proofs: verifying, working backwards or working on both sides
Fix: Start from one side (or from the given facts) and move to the result line by line, with a reason for any condition such as a > 0. Give the reason for rejecting a solution in words. Never start from the printed answer.
Slow algebra on Paper 2 where the GDC is expected
Fix: On Paper 2, write the equation or integral in mathematical notation, then evaluate it on the GDC. Use analytic methods only where the question asks for an exact answer or says "show" or "deduce".
Arithmetic with limits, fractions and simultaneous equations on Paper 1
Fix: Write F(upper) − F(lower) with each value in brackets before simplifying. Keep fractions as fractions. Check a simultaneous-equation solution by substituting back.
Trigonometric equations: missing solutions (obtuse, general or divided away)
Fix: Sketch the function over the whole interval and count intersections before solving. Factorise rather than divide by a trig function (dividing loses the solutions where it is zero).
Worked examples of each, and the rest of the list: where AA HL students lose marks.
Make your mock revision count: free account
- The whole Prediction Paper 1Sit the full paper with its markscheme, not just the first section.
- Build your own mockPick your weak topics and take a test made from the free questions, then mark it.
- My mistakesEvery question you get wrong goes into one list, ready to retry before the mock.
Make a free account: no card needed5 more practice questions on every topic with instant feedback, full worked answers on free questions, and your streak and progress on any device.
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Common questions
What is on the IB Maths AA HL mock exam?
Your school sets it, so check with your teacher. Most mocks follow the real AA HL exam: Paper 1 (2 hours, no calculator), Paper 2 (2 hours, calculator), Paper 3 (1 hour 15 minutes, calculator). The formula booklet is given in every paper.
Is there a free AA HL mock paper?
Yes. Paper 1 of our AA HL Prediction Papers is free: the first section is open to everyone and a free account opens the whole paper with its markscheme. Our interactive practice papers are free with no sign-up.
Can I use a calculator on AA HL Paper 1?
No. AA HL Paper 1 is no calculator. Paper 2 and Paper 3 allow a graphic display calculator (GDC).
How long should I revise for my AA HL mock?
Two weeks is enough for a focused plan: two days per unit, then papers. Four weeks lets you cover every unit in more depth and sit two full papers. Both plans are on this page.
Are these real IB papers?
No. Our Prediction Papers and practice papers are written by us in the IB format. For the IB's own past papers, see our past papers page, which links to the official store.
Other courses
IB Maths AA SL mock exam · IB Maths AI SL mock exam · IB Maths AI HL mock exam · all IB Maths mock exams
Also for AA HL: course page · revision notes · questions by topic · Skill Builders · exam season plans
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