IB Maths AI 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 AI 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 AI 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 AI SL is:
| Paper | Time | Calculator | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Calculator (GDC) | 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: AI SL past papers · AI SL formula booklet guide.
Sit a free AI 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 AI SL, written in the IB format: 1 hour 30 minutes, calculator allowed, 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 AI 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
Statistics and probability
- Days 3 and 4
Number and algebra
- Days 5 and 6
Calculus
- Days 7 and 8
Functions
- Days 9 and 10
Geometry and trigonometry
- 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
Do Practice Paper 2 timed, or a paper from the AI SL past papers.
- 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 AI 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
Statistics and probability · Number and algebra
Start with a diagnostic: the free first section of Prediction Paper 1, timed. Then:
Statistics and probability
Number and algebra
- Week 2
Calculus · Functions
Calculus
Functions
- Applications of Functions
- Functions: Domain, Range & Inverses
- Graphing Linear, Quadratic, Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Exponential Modelling
End the week by redoing everything in My mistakes.
- Week 3
Geometry and trigonometry, then a full paper
Geometry and trigonometry
At the weekend, sit the whole Prediction Paper 1 timed and mark it.
- Week 4
Papers and the last gaps
Sit Practice Paper 1 and Practice Paper 2, 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 AI SL mock plan.
The AI SL mistakes that cost the most marks
From our summary of the IB’s published subject reports for AI SL. Check your mock against each one.
Accuracy: 2 s.f. answers, early rounding, and ignoring the accuracy asked for
Fix: Write the full calculator value, then round once: 3 s.f. unless the question says otherwise (keep trailing zeros). Read each question for its own rounding instruction and for context (whole years, whole items).
No working shown: bare GDC answers and calculator notation
Fix: Write the formula or distribution first (X ~ B(n, p), P(X ≤ 3) = …), then the unrounded value, then the rounded answer. Convert calculator E-notation to a × 10ⁿ. Cross out the attempt you do not want marked.
χ² and t-tests: hypotheses, the comparison and the conclusion in context
Fix: Use a fixed layout: H₀ and H₁ in symbols with the population parameter (μ₁ = μ₂; μ₁ > μ₂) or in words naming both variables for χ²; the p-value; "p < 0.05, so reject H₀" (or not); then one sentence in context.
Finance: compound-interest formula with regular payments, TVM signs and periods
Fix: With regular payments, use the TVM solver. Money in and money out have opposite signs. N counts payments (years × payments per year). Write down every value you enter (N, I%, PV, PMT, FV, P/Y, C/Y), so a slip can still earn method marks.
Probability: adding instead of multiplying, conditional sample spaces, without replacement
Fix: Draw the tree or table. Along a branch multiply; between outcomes add. For "given that", the denominator is the size of the given group. Without replacement, the second probability changes.
Worked examples of each, and the rest of the list: where AI 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 AI SL mock exam?
Your school sets it, so check with your teacher. Most mocks follow the real AI SL exam: Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes, calculator), Paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes, calculator). The formula booklet is given in every paper.
Is there a free AI SL mock paper?
Yes. Paper 1 of our AI 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 AI SL Paper 1?
Yes. Every AI SL paper allows a graphic display calculator (GDC), including Paper 1.
How long should I revise for my AI 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 SL mock exam · IB Maths AA HL mock exam · IB Maths AI HL mock exam · all IB Maths mock exams
Also for AI SL: course page · revision notes · questions by topic · Skill Builders · exam season plans
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