ASSESSMENT
(I) Assessment Outline (Mathematics
HL) - First examinations 2006
(A) External assessment 5
hrs 80%
Written papers
Paper 1 2 hrs 30%
20 compulsory short-response questions based on the compulsory core of the syllabus.
Paper 2 2
hrs 30%
5 compulsory extended-response questions based on the compulsory core of the syllabus.
Paper 3 1 hr 20%
Extended-response questions based mainly on the syllabus options.
(B) Internal assessment
20% - Portfolio
A collection of two pieces of work assigned by the teacher and completed by the student during the
course. The pieces of work must be based on different areas of the syllabus and represent the two
types of tasks:
mathematical investigation
mathematical modelling.
The portfolio is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO. Procedures
are provided in the Vade Mecum.
(II) ASSESSMENT DETAILS (Mathematics
HL) - First examinations 2006
(A) External assessment
details 5 hrs 80%
General
Paper 1, paper 2 and paper 3
These papers are externally set and externally marked. Together they contribute 80% of the final mark for the
course. These papers are designed to allow students to demonstrate what they know and what they can do.
Calculators
For all examination papers, students must have access to a GDC at all times. Regulations covering the
types of calculator allowed are provided in the Vade Mecum.
Mathematics HL information
booklet
Each student must have access to a clean copy of the information booklet during the examination. One
copy of this booklet is provided by the IBO as part of the examination papers mailing.
Awarding of marks
Marks may be awarded for method, accuracy, answers and reasoning, including interpretation.
In paper 1, paper 2 and paper 3, full marks are not necessarily awarded for a correct answer with no
working. Answers must be supported by working and/or explanations (in the form of, for example,
diagrams, graphs or calculations). Where an answer is incorrect, some marks may be given for correct
method, provided this is shown by written working. All students should therefore be advised to show their
working.
(i)
Paper 1 2 hrs 30%
This paper consists of 20 compulsory short-response questions based on the core of the syllabus.
Syllabus coverage
Knowledge of all topics in the core is required for this paper. However, not all topics are
necessarily assessed in every examination session.
The intention of this paper is to test students knowledge across the breadth of the core.
However, it should not be assumed that the separate topics from the core are given equal
emphasis.
Question type
A small number of steps is needed to solve each question.
Questions may be presented in the form of words, symbols, diagrams or tables, or combinations
of these.
Mark allocation
This paper is worth 120 marks, representing 30% of the final mark.
Questions of varying levels of difficulty are set. Each question is worth 6 marks.
(ii) Paper 2 2 hrs 30%
The paper consists of 5 compulsory extended-response questions based on the core of the syllabus.
Syllabus coverage
Knowledge of all topics from the core is required for this paper. However, not all topics are
necessarily assessed in every examination session.
Individual questions may require knowledge of more than one topic from the core.
The intention of this paper is to test students knowledge of the core in depth. The range of
syllabus topics tested in this paper may be narrower than that tested in paper 1.
To provide appropriate syllabus coverage of each topic, some questions in this section are likely
to contain two or more unconnected parts. Where this occurs, the unconnected parts will be
clearly labelled as such.
Question type
Questions require extended responses involving sustained reasoning.
Individual questions may develop a single theme or be divided into unconnected parts.
Questions may be presented in the form of words, symbols, diagrams or tables, or combinations
of these.
Normally, each question reflects an incline of difficulty, from relatively easy tasks at the start of a
question to relatively difficult tasks at the end of a question. The emphasis is on problem solving.
Mark allocation
This paper is worth 120 marks, representing 30% of the final mark.
Questions in this section may be unequal in terms of length and level of difficulty. Therefore,
individual questions may not necessarily be worth the same number of marks. The exact number
of marks allocated to each question is indicated at the start of each question.
(iii) Paper 3 1 hr 20%
This paper consists of four sections, one on each of the options in the syllabus. Each section has a
small number of extended-response questions based mainly on the option topic. Where possible, the
first part of each question will be on core material leading to the option topic. When this is not readily
achievable, as for example with the discrete mathematics option, the level of difficulty of the earlier
part of a question will be comparable to that of the core questions.
Students must answer questions on one option topic only. Students must answer all the questions in
the section chosen.
Syllabus coverage
Students must answer all the questions based on the option they have studied.
Knowledge of the entire content of the option studied is required for this paper, as well as the
core material.
Question type
Questions require extended responses involving sustained reasoning.
Individual questions may develop a single theme or be divided into unconnected parts. Where
this occurs, the unconnected parts will be clearly labelled as such.
Questions may be presented in the form of words, symbols, diagrams or tables, or combinations
of these.
Normally, each question reflects an incline of difficulty, from relatively easy tasks at the start of
a question to relatively difficult tasks at the end of a question. The emphasis is on problem
solving.
Mark allocation
This paper is worth 60 marks, representing 20% of the final mark. Approximately 15 marks are
allocated to core material (or work of a similar level).
Questions in this section may be unequal in terms of length and level of difficulty. Therefore,
individual questions may not necessarily be worth the same number of marks. The exact number
of marks allocated to each question is indicated at the start of each question. Each section is
worth 60 marks, and the overall level of difficulty of each section should be the same.