IB Maths AA SL 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 SL 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 SL 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 SL is:
| Paper | Time | Calculator | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1 hour 30 minutes | No calculator | 40% |
| Paper 2 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Calculator (GDC) | 40% |
| 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. More on each paper: AA SL past papers · AA SL formula booklet guide.
Sit a free AA SL 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 SL, written in the IB format: 1 hour 30 minutes, 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 SL mock revision plan
Ten days on topics, in the order students lose the most marks, then four days on papers. Each topic links to free exam-style questions and a Skill Builder.
- Days 1 and 2
Calculus
- Days 3 and 4
Statistics and probability
- Days 5 and 6
Functions
- Days 7 and 8
Geometry and trigonometry
- Days 9 and 10
Number and algebra
- 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, timed
Sit a Paper 2 from the AA SL past papers, timed.
- 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 SL 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 · Statistics and probability
Start with a diagnostic: the free first section of Prediction Paper 1, timed. Then:
Calculus
Statistics and probability
- Week 2
Functions · Geometry and trigonometry
Functions
Geometry and trigonometry
- Geometry and Right Angled Trigonometry
- Non right angled trigonometry
- Solving Trigonometric Equations
- Radians
End the week by redoing everything in My mistakes.
- Week 3
Number and algebra, then a full paper
Number and algebra
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) and a Paper 2 from the AA SL past papers, 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 SL mock plan.
The AA SL mistakes that cost the most marks
From our summary of the IB’s published subject reports for AA SL. Check your mock against each one.
Accuracy: 2 s.f. answers, early rounding and ignored accuracy instructions
Fix: Keep full calculator values (store them) until the very last line. Give final answers exactly or to 3 s.f. unless the question says otherwise, and when a given answer has more figures, show your value to more figures than that before rounding.
"Show that": substituting or working back from the given answer
Fix: Start from the information in the question and write every step, left-hand side to right-hand side, until you reach the printed result, then say "as required". If you reject a value, give the reason in words.
Missing brackets and arithmetic slips on Paper 1 (subtracting, squaring, simplifying)
Fix: Put brackets round every expression you subtract or square, and expand them on a separate line. Work in fractions rather than long decimals on Paper 1, and simplify fully (integers as integers, surds simplified).
Doing by hand what the GDC should do on Paper 2, and not writing what you solved
Fix: On Paper 2, use the GDC for roots, intersections, statistics, numerical derivatives and integrals. Write the equation or integral you entered in normal notation, then the value. Treat a 2 or 3 mark part as a sign that a quick GDC method is expected.
Answer in the wrong form: asymptotes not as equations, coordinates vs values, unfinished answers
Fix: Lines are equations: write y = … or x = …. Give exactly what the question names (a value, a point, an interval). Finish the arithmetic: integers as integers, fractions with integer numerators and denominators in lowest terms.
Worked examples of each, and the rest of the list: where AA SL 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 SL mock exam?
Your school sets it, so check with your teacher. Most mocks follow the real AA SL exam: Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes, no calculator), Paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes, calculator). The formula booklet is given in every paper.
Is there a free AA SL mock paper?
Yes. Paper 1 of our AA SL 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 SL Paper 1?
No. AA SL Paper 1 is no calculator. Paper 2 allows a graphic display calculator (GDC).
How long should I revise for my AA SL 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 HL mock exam · IB Maths AI SL mock exam · IB Maths AI HL mock exam · all IB Maths mock exams
Also for AA SL: course page · revision notes · questions by topic · Skill Builders · exam season plans
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