We asked one of our best Physics tutors, Conor, about his experience completing IB Maths Applications and Interpretations and how he got a 7.
What score did you achieve in IB Maths Applications and Interpretation?
I achieved a 7/7 in Maths AI HL.
How did you study for IB Maths Applications and Interpretation? What techniques did you use to study?
When studying, past papers are your best friend. Doing as many IB-style questions as you can will make you much more comfortable during the actual exam. I also found that keeping good notes in Year 11 and 12, including examples from class, saved me a lot of time when revising. Creating summary notes for content-heavy chapters like hypothesis testing and graph theory really helped, too.
What is your advice for Maths Applications and Interpretation students for the IA?
One of the most important parts of the course is the Internal Assessment (IA). My top piece of advice for the IA is to follow the rubric closely because that’s exactly what they use to mark you. Getting a peer to mark your work can also give you a new perspective and highlight things you might have missed. It really helps to investigate a topic that genuinely interests you; you’ll be more engaged, and this will also help you score better on personal engagement. For me I found logistical functions interesting so I went with that. Finally, make sure you show meaningful reflection throughout. That means linking back to the aims of your exploration, commenting on what you’ve learned, looking at limitations or alternative approaches, and discussing the implications of your results. The more you can reflect on your maths and its impact on your understanding of the topic, the better.
What is your advice for Maths Applications and Interpretation students for the end of year exams?
When it comes to exams, my best tip is to use your reading time strategically. Scan the paper and identify questions that might need more time, or decide if you want to tackle the last question first if it looks easier. Have a timing plan for the whole paper, for example, aim to be halfway through by the halfway mark, so you don’t run out of time at the end. Don’t be scared to skip a question and come back to it later if you’re unsure. Also, make sure you use your calculator as much as you can. In AI HL, it’s a really powerful tool that can help you work faster and reduce human errors.
Do you have any resources that you would recommend?
Some great resources I used were textbooks for content, Revision Village, and the IB question bank for targeted practice.
âť—Top IB Tutors has a partnership with Revision Village. If you want a tutor who has access to Revision Village, please complete an application today.
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What separates an average student from a good student from a great students in IB Physics?
Students who do well in Maths AI HL tend to have a real curiosity about the subject; they want to understand why the maths works, not just how to do it. For example, understanding why you should set the determinant to zero when calculating eigenvalues. They also usually plan their IA early to give themselves time to revise and improve it before the deadline. The quantity of time spent on IB past papers and overall is the biggest indicator of performance in the finals.
How did you balance study with the rest of your life in the IB DP?
Balancing study with everything else in Year 12 is definitely a challenge. I set myself a realistic study schedule and stuck to it, making sure I also had time for exercise, relaxation, and at least eight hours of sleep. Working at the library or at school really helped me focus, especially if I studied alongside friends who were also working hard. Taking breaks together gave me something to look forward to and kept me from burning out.
Some more information about our tutor, Conor
Hi, I’m Conor, and I graduated the IB with an IBAS of 43.75 from Redlands School. Next year, I plan to study Engineering and Commerce at ANU. I received 10% over the grade boundary for a 7 in Maths AIHL (topping my class) and Economics HL and 20% over the grade boundary for a 7 in IB Physics SL. However, I believe my most significant selling point as a tutor is my strong communication skills, which I developed through my position on the Redlands Portfolio Leadership Team as Environment Captain and my three years of experience tutoring as part of a school program. I was also privileged to receive the Year 12 Prize for Leadership. I am energetic and friendly, and I love tutoring. The greatest reward is seeing my students grow and gain confidence. My tutoring style is personalised, positive, and interactive, focusing on building confidence and a deeper understanding of the course material. Throughout Year 12, I found that while working hard is vital to success, working hard in the right places is essential to succeeding in the IB. I aim to help every student reach the results their dedication deserves. Aside from academics, I also enjoy snowboarding, running, soccer and touch footy. Something that I learned through the IB is the value of time doing the things you love and keeping a balanced life (easier said than done, I know)!
If you would like to book a session with Conor, please submit an application today.
