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IB Maths AA SL scheme of work

A complete plan for IB Maths AA SL: 64 weeks, 256 lessons, with a quick check most weeks and a test at the end of each unit. Here is the whole plan at a glance and one lesson in full.

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A sample lesson, in full

Week 2 · Lesson 4 · Unit 1 · Number & Algebra

Sequences 4: Geometric Series (Sum Formula)

By the end of the lesson students can: Use Sₙ = u₁(rⁿ − 1)/(r − 1) to find the sum of a finite geometric series and solve problems for an unknown ratio or number of terms.
Syllabus reference: SL Topic 1
Quick check FA2: Arithmetic & geometric sequences and series
Misconceptions to watch for: Confusing common difference d with common ratio r; using the arithmetic sum formula for a geometric series.
Then the unit test SA1 (week 6): Unit 1 Test: Number & Algebra · Paper 1 style · non-calculator · 45 mins
In the full plan, every lesson also has: The starter for the week, practice and homework on the topic in one click, and a tick to mark it taught for your class.

The course at a glance

FA = a short formative check in that week; SA = an end-of-unit test.

Year 1 (DP1)

32 weeks · 128 lessons · 20 quick checks (FA) · 4 unit tests (SA)

Week	Lessons	Checks
Unit 0 · Prior Knowledge Bridge
1	PK Diagnostic: Algebraic Manipulation & Indices · PK Refresher: Linear Equations, Inequalities & Graphs · PK Refresher: Basic Trigonometry & Pythagoras · PK Refresher: Percentages, Ratio & Standard Form	FA1
Unit 1 · Number & Algebra
2	Sequences 1: Arithmetic Sequences (nth term) · Sequences 2: Arithmetic Series (Sum Formula) · Sequences 3: Geometric Sequences (nth term) · Sequences 4: Geometric Series (Sum Formula)	FA2
3	Sequences 5: Sum to Infinity of a Geometric Series · Sequences 6: Applications — Compound Interest & Depreciation · Exponents 1: Laws of Exponents (Review & Extend) · Exponents 2: Solving Exponential Equations	FA3
4	Logarithms 1: Introducing Logs & the Log Laws · Logarithms 2: Change of Base & Solving Log Equations · Logarithms 3: Exponential/Log Problem Solving · Consolidation: Sequences, Exponents & Logarithms	FA4
5	Binomial 1: Pascal's Triangle & Binomial Expansion · Binomial 2: The Binomial Coefficient (nCr) & General Term · Proof 1: Simple Deductive Proof — Numerical & Algebraic · Proof 2: Setting Out LHS-to-RHS Proofs & the Identity Symbol (≡)	FA5
	Binomial 3: Finding a Given Term or Coefficient · Binomial 4: The Term Independent of x & Unknown Constants · Logarithms 4: Exponential Equations with Different Bases · Proof 3: Deductive Proofs with Sequences & Algebraic Identities
6	Unit 1 Revision: Number & Algebra · Unit 1 Revision: Exam-Style Problem Solving · Unit 1 Revision: Common Misconceptions Clinic · Summative Assessment 1 (SA1)	SA1
Unit 2 · Functions
7	Straight Lines 1: Gradient, Midpoint & Equation of a Line · Straight Lines 2: Parallel & Perpendicular Lines · Quadratics 1: Factorising & Completing the Square · Quadratics 2: The Quadratic Formula, Discriminant & Quadratic Inequalities	FA6
8	Quadratics 3: Sketching Parabolas & Turning Points · Functions 1: Function Notation, Domain & Range · Functions 2: Composite Functions (f∘g)(x) · Functions 3: Inverse Functions f⁻¹(x)	FA7
9	Transformations 1: Translations f(x)+a, f(x+a) · Transformations 2: Stretches af(x), f(ax) · Transformations 3: Reflections & Combined Transformations · Consolidation: Functions & Transformations	FA8
10	Rational Functions 1: Reciprocal Graphs & Asymptotes · Rational Functions 2: Graphing y = (ax+b)/(cx+d) · Rational Functions 3: Solving Rational Equations · Exponential & Logarithmic Functions: Graphs & Modelling	FA9
	Quadratics 4: The Discriminant — Tangency, Intersections & Unknown Constants · Functions 4: Restricting the Domain So an Inverse Exists · Transformations 4: Order of Transformations & the Transformed Equation · Exponential & Logarithmic Functions 2: Graphs as Inverses
11	Unit 2 Revision: Functions · Unit 2 Revision: Exam-Style Problem Solving · Unit 2 Revision: Common Misconceptions Clinic · Summative Assessment 2 (SA2)	SA2
Unit 3 · Geometry & Trigonometry
12	3D Coordinate Geometry 1: Distance & Midpoint in 3D · 3D Coordinate Geometry 2: Volume & Surface Area of Solids · Right-Angle Trig 1: SOHCAHTOA, Elevation/Depression & Bearings · Right-Angle Trig 2: Pythagoras & Trig in 3D	FA10
13	Sine Rule 1: Finding Sides & Angles · Sine Rule 2: The Ambiguous Case · Cosine Rule: Finding Sides & Angles · Area of a Triangle (½ab sin C)	FA11
	3D Geometry 3: The Angle Between a Line and a Plane · Non-Right-Angled Trigonometry 1: Choosing the Rule · Non-Right-Angled Trigonometry 2: Bearings & Navigation · Non-Right-Angled Trigonometry 3: Multi-Step Problems
14	Circular Measure 1: Radians & Arc Length · Circular Measure 2: Area of a Sector & Segment · Unit Circle: Trig Ratios of Any Angle & Exact Values · Consolidation: Trigonometry & Circular Measure	FA12
	Circular Measure 3: Finding the Angle or Radius · Unit Circle 2: Exact Values in All Four Quadrants · Unit Circle 3: Given One Trig Ratio, Find the Others · Sine Rule 3: The Ambiguous Case in Context
15	Trig Identities 1: The Pythagorean & Double-Angle Identities · Trig Equations 1: Solving sin/cos/tan Equations · Trig Graphs 1: Sine, Cosine & Tangent Functions · Trig Graphs 2: Transformations of Trig Graphs	FA13
	Trig Identities 2: Exact Values with the Double-Angle Identities · Trig Identities 3: Simple Identity Proofs · Solving Trig Equations: Every Solution in an Interval · Trig Graphs 3: Finding a, b, c & d from a Graph
16	Unit 3 Revision: Geometry & Trigonometry · Unit 3 Revision: Exam-Style Problem Solving · Unit 3 Revision: Common Misconceptions Clinic · Summative Assessment 3 (SA3)	SA3
Unit 4 · Statistics & Probability
17	Data Collection 1: Sampling Methods & Bias · Data Presentation: Histograms, Cumulative Frequency Graphs, Quartiles & Percentiles · Central Tendency 1: Mean, Median & Mode from Frequency Tables · Spread 2: Variance & Standard Deviation	FA14
18	Dispersion: Box-and-Whisker Diagrams, IQR & Outliers · Correlation 1: Scatter Diagrams & Pearson's r · Correlation 2: Line of Best Fit & Linear Regression · Consolidation: Descriptive Statistics	FA15
	Data Collection 2: Sampling Techniques & Reliability · Data Presentation 2: Comparing Distributions · Spread 3: Grouped Data & the Effect of Constant Changes · Regression in Context: Interpreting r, the Gradient & Predictions
19	Probability 1: Basic Probability & Venn Diagrams · Probability 2: Tree Diagrams & Combined Events · Probability 3: Conditional Probability · Discrete Random Variables 1: Probability Distributions & E(X)	FA16
20	Binomial Distribution: B(n, p), Probabilities, Mean & Variance · Normal Distribution 1: The Standard Normal Curve · Normal Distribution 2: Finding Probabilities & Inverse Normal · Consolidation: Probability & Normal Distribution	FA17
	Combined Events: Sample Spaces, Mutually Exclusive & Independent Events · Discrete Random Variables 2: Unknown Probabilities, E(X) & Fair Games · Binomial Distribution 2: Cumulative Probabilities in Context · Distributions in Context: Normal Probabilities Feeding a Binomial Model
Unit 5 · Calculus
21	Limits & Derivatives 1: The Idea of a Limit & Gradient of a Curve · Limits & Derivatives 2: The Derivative as Gradient Function & Rate of Change · Differentiation Rules 1: Power Rule (xⁿ) · Differentiation Rules 2: Sums, Differences & Constants	FA18
22	Applications 1: Tangents & Normals · Applications 2: Increasing/Decreasing Functions & Stationary Points · Applications 3: Optimisation Problems · Applications 4: The Second Derivative — Concavity, Inflection Points & Nature of Stationary Points	FA19
23	Integration 1: Reversing Differentiation (Indefinite Integrals) · Integration 2: Finding the Constant of Integration · Integration 3: Definite Integrals & Area Under a Curve · Kinematics: Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration & Distance Travelled	FA20
	Tangents & Normals 2: The Point with a Given Gradient · Optimisation 2: Setting Up the Function from a Diagram · Antiderivatives in Context: f(x) from f′(x) & a Point · Motion in a Straight Line: Velocity–Time Graphs & Distance
Unit 5 · Calculus & Full Course Revision
24	Full Course Revision: Algebra, Functions & Trigonometry · Full Course Revision: Statistics & Calculus · Full Course Revision: Exam Technique & Common Errors · Summative Assessment 4 (SA4): End-of-Year 1 Mock Exam	SA4

Year 2 (DP2): show the plan

Year 2 (DP2)

32 weeks · 128 lessons · 18 quick checks (FA) · 6 unit tests (SA)

Week	Lessons	Checks
Unit 5 · Calculus
1	Differentiation Rules 3: Derivatives of sin x, cos x & tan x · Differentiation Rules 4: Derivatives of eˣ & ln x · Differentiation Rules 5: The Chain Rule for Composite Functions · Differentiation Rules 6: The Product & Quotient Rules	FA1
2	IA Workshop 1: The Exploration — Criteria A–E, Strong Explorations & Choosing a Topic · Differentiation Rules 7: Combining the Rules — Tangents & Normals to Standard Functions · IA Workshop 2: Aim, Plan & the Level of Mathematics — Topic Approval · Applications 5: f″(x) of Standard Functions — Concavity & Points of Inflection	FA2
3	Graphical Behaviour: Linking the Graphs of f, f′ and f″ · Applications 6: Optimisation with Trigonometric, Exponential & Logarithmic Functions · Kinematics 2: Velocity & Acceleration from Trig & Exponential Displacement · Consolidation: Differentiation & Its Applications	FA3
	Differentiation Practice: Combining the Chain, Product & Quotient Rules · The Second Derivative in Context: Concavity & Changing Rates · Optimisation Practice: Justifying Maxima & Minima · Kinematics Practice: At Rest, Changing Direction & Speeding Up
4	Integration 4: Integrating sin x, cos x, 1/x & eˣ · Integration 5: Composites with a Linear Function — ∫ f(ax + b) dx · Integration 6: Integration by Inspection & Substitution · Integration 7: Definite Integrals — Exact Values & Technology	FA4
5	Areas 1: Regions Above & Below the x-axis · Areas 2: The Area Between Two Curves · Kinematics 3: Displacement & Total Distance Travelled from Velocity · Consolidation: Integration, Areas & Kinematics	FA5
	Integration Practice: The Reverse Chain Rule · Definite Integrals 2: Exact Values with Trig, Exponential & 1/x · Areas 3: Curves That Cross More Than Once · Kinematics 4: From Acceleration to Velocity to Displacement
6	Unit 5 Revision: Differentiation & Integration of Standard Functions · Unit 5 Revision: Exam-Style Problem Solving · IA Workshop 3: Writing Up — Communication & Mathematical Presentation (Criteria A & B) · Summative Assessment 1 (SA1)	SA1
Unit 4 · Statistics & Probability
7	Correlation 3: The Regression Line of x on y & Which Line to Use · Probability 4: Conditional Probability Formally & Testing for Independence · Normal Distribution 3: Standardisation & z-values · Normal Distribution 4: Finding an Unknown Mean or Standard Deviation	FA6
	Regression 2: Using the x-on-y Line · Conditional Probability 2: P(A \| B) from Tables, Venn & Tree Diagrams · Normal Distribution 5: Finding Both μ and σ · Normal & Binomial Together: Multi-Stage Problems
Unit 3 · Geometry & Trigonometry
8	Trig Equations 2: Quadratic-Type Equations in sin, cos & tan · Trig Equations 3: Using Identities & Transformed Arguments (e.g. sin 2x, cos(x + π/3)) · IA Workshop 4: Personal Engagement, Reflection & Use of Mathematics (Criteria C, D & E) · Trig Models: Sinusoidal Functions in Context	FA7
	Trig Equations 4: Equations Reducing to tan x = k & Factorising · Trig Equations 5: Counting & Checking Solutions with Technology · Trig Identities 4: Double-Angle Identities in Equations · Trig Models 2: Fitting a Sinusoidal Model to Data
Unit 2 · Functions
9	Solving Equations Graphically: Intersections & Key Features with Technology · Equations Leading to Quadratics: e.g. e²ˣ − 5eˣ + 6 = 0 & Log Equations · Functions & Calculus Together: Transformations, Inverses & Derivatives in One Problem · Consolidation: Functions & the Year 2 Extensions	FA8
Unit 1 · Number & Algebra (Revision)
10	IA Draft Deadline: Complete Draft In — Final Self-Check Against Criteria A–E · Review: Sequences, Series & Financial Applications · Review: Exponents & Logarithms · Review: The Binomial Theorem	FA9 IA-D
Unit 2 · Functions (Revision)
11	Review: Straight Lines & Quadratic Functions · Review: Composite & Inverse Functions · Review: Transformations of Graphs · Review: Rational, Exponential & Logarithmic Functions	FA10
Unit 3 · Geometry & Trigonometry (Revision)
12	Review: 3D Geometry, Volume & Surface Area · Review: Sine Rule, Cosine Rule & Area of a Triangle · Review: Radians, Arcs & Sectors · Review: The Unit Circle, Identities & Exact Values	FA11
Unit 4 · Statistics & Probability (Revision)
13	IA Workshop 5: Acting on Draft Feedback & Finalising the Exploration · Review: Sampling, Data Presentation & Summary Statistics · Review: Probability — Venn & Tree Diagrams · Review: Discrete Random Variables & the Binomial Distribution	FA12
Unit 5 · Calculus (Revision)
14	Review: Limits, Derivatives & Differentiation Rules · Review: Stationary Points, Concavity & Optimisation · Review: Integration & Areas · Review: Kinematics	FA13
Full Course Revision · End of Term 1
15	Full Course Revision: Paper 1 (Non-Calculator) Technique · Full Course Revision: Paper 2 (Calculator) Technique & GDC Efficiency · Full Course Revision: Mixed Past-Paper Questions · Summative Assessment 2 (SA2): End-of-Term Test	SA2
Mock Examinations · Preparation
16	Pre-Mock Revision: Number, Algebra & Functions · Pre-Mock Revision: Geometry & Trigonometry · Pre-Mock Revision: Statistics & Probability · Pre-Mock Revision: Calculus
Mock Examinations
17	Mock Exam: Paper 1 (Non-Calculator, 90 mins) · Mock Exam: Paper 2 (Calculator, 90 mins) · Post-Mock Review: Paper 1 — Mark Scheme Walk-Through & Corrections · Post-Mock Review: Paper 2 — Error Analysis & a Personal Revision Plan	SA3
Unit 2 · Functions (Targeted Revision)
18	Targeted Revision: Functions Questions from the Mock · Targeted Revision: Quadratic & Rational Functions · IA Workshop 6: Final Checks — Referencing, Academic Integrity & Presentation · Targeted Revision: Exponential & Logarithmic Functions	FA14
Unit 3 · Geometry & Trigonometry (Targeted Revision)
19	IA Final Submission: Exploration Handed In with the Academic-Integrity Declaration · Targeted Revision: Non-Right-Angled Trigonometry in Context · Targeted Revision: Trigonometric Equations & Identities · Targeted Revision: The Unit Circle & Exact Values	FA15 IA-F
Unit 4 · Statistics & Probability (Targeted Revision)
20	Targeted Revision: Measures of Central Tendency & Spread · Targeted Revision: Correlation & Regression · Targeted Revision: Conditional Probability · Targeted Revision: The Binomial & Normal Distributions	FA16
Unit 5 · Calculus (Targeted Revision)
21	Targeted Revision: Limits & the Derivative · Targeted Revision: Chain, Product & Quotient Rules · Targeted Revision: Optimisation in Context · Targeted Revision: Definite Integrals & Areas	FA17
Unit 1 · Number & Algebra (Targeted Revision)
22	Targeted Revision: Arithmetic & Geometric Series in Context · Targeted Revision: Compound Interest & Depreciation · Targeted Revision: Logarithm Laws & Exponential Equations · Targeted Revision: Deductive Proof	FA18
Exam Practice · Paper 1 (Non-Calculator)
23	Paper 1 Practice: Section A Short-Response Questions · Paper 1 Practice: Section B Extended-Response Questions · Non-Calculator Skills: Exact Values, Surds, Fractions & Sketching · Paper 1 Practice: A Timed Section A
Exam Practice · Paper 2 (Calculator)
24	Paper 2 Practice: Section A with the GDC · Paper 2 Practice: Section B Extended-Response Questions · Command Terms & Mark Schemes: Show That, Hence, Justify & Accuracy (3 s.f.) · Paper 2 Practice: A Timed Section B
Exam Practice · Timed Papers
25	Summative Assessment 4 (SA4): Timed Paper 1 · Summative Assessment 4 (SA4): Timed Paper 2 · SA4 Review: Corrections on Both Papers · Final Revision Priorities: Choosing Your Weakest Topics	SA4
Final Revision · Weak-Topic Clinics
26	Weak-Topic Clinic: Number, Algebra & Functions · Weak-Topic Clinic: Geometry & Trigonometry · Weak-Topic Clinic: Statistics & Probability · Weak-Topic Clinic: Calculus
Final Revision · Past Papers
27	Past-Paper Walk-Through: Paper 1 · Past-Paper Walk-Through: Paper 2 · Past-Paper Practice: Mixed Long-Response Questions · Past-Paper Practice: Questions Students Choose
Final Revision · Exam Readiness
28	Exam Readiness: Formula Booklet Fluency & What Is Not in It · Exam Readiness: Time Management, Marks per Minute & Checking · Exam Readiness: Last Questions & Personal Revision Plans · Exam Leave Begins: Revision Timetable Check-In

The full plan: every lesson with its objective, starters, practice and homework links, your own order and dates, and a tick to mark each lesson taught.

Get the full editable scheme of work — free for teachers

What the course covers

Every syllabus point in plain English, with practice for each: IB Maths AA SL syllabus checklist.