At a glance
- Ages
- About 11 to 16 (MYP years 1 to 5)
- Criteria
- A to D, each 0 to 8
- Final grade
- 1 to 7 from a total out of 32
- Levels
- Standard or extended mathematics
- eAssessment
- Optional 2-hour on-screen exam in year 5
The four MYP Mathematics criteria
| Criterion | What it assesses | Max |
|---|---|---|
| A: Knowing and understanding | Selecting and applying mathematics to solve problems, in familiar and unfamiliar situations | 8 |
| B: Investigating patterns | Finding patterns, describing them as rules and justifying or proving them | 8 |
| C: Communicating | Using correct notation, representations and a logical line of reasoning | 8 |
| D: Applying mathematics in real-life contexts | Modelling a real situation, applying the mathematics and judging how reasonable the result is | 8 |
From criteria scores to an MYP grade
Teachers add the four criteria scores (out of 32) and convert with the IB's grade boundaries.
| Total out of 32 | MYP grade |
|---|---|
| 1 to 5 | 1 |
| 6 to 9 | 2 |
| 10 to 14 | 3 |
| 15 to 18 | 4 |
| 19 to 23 | 5 |
| 24 to 27 | 6 |
| 28 to 32 | 7 |
Schools may apply small variations in their own assessment policy; check your school's MYP assessment document.
Standard or extended mathematics
MYP maths is organised in four branches: number, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, and statistics and probability. In years 4 and 5, schools often split students into standard and extended mathematics. Extended covers additional, more abstract content, particularly in algebra, functions and trigonometry, and is the usual preparation for IB Diploma Maths Analysis and Approaches at HL.
Placement matters because it affects which Diploma course feels manageable two years later. A student in standard mathematics can still take Diploma maths, including AA at SL, but may need to close gaps first. Ask the school which MYP level it recommends for the Diploma course your child is aiming for.
Where MYP maths students struggle
- Criterion B investigations. Many students can spot a pattern but not write a general rule in algebra or justify it.
- Criterion C communication. Missing steps, wrong notation and unlabelled graphs cost marks even when the answer is right.
- Criterion D modelling. Students apply a formula but do not comment on whether the result makes sense in context.
- Algebra gaps from earlier years. These quietly limit every later topic, especially in extended mathematics.
- On-screen exam format. The eAssessment rewards fluent work in an unfamiliar digital setting; practice with the IB's demonstration exams helps.
How one-to-one MYP Maths lessons work
A tutor who teaches MYP maths works from your child's current unit and the criterion it is assessed on. Lessons mix skill practice with criterion-style tasks: an investigation where the student finds and proves a rule, or a real-life problem they model and evaluate. Working on the shared whiteboard lets the tutor see each step and correct notation as it happens.
For students in years 4 and 5, tutors also prepare for the step into the Diploma, strengthening algebra and functions for those heading towards AA, and data and modelling for AI. If the school enters students for eAssessment, lessons include timed practice in the on-screen style.
Common questions
What is the difference between MYP standard and extended maths?
Extended mathematics covers additional, more abstract content, particularly in algebra, functions and trigonometry. It usually prepares students for IB Diploma Maths AA at HL. Standard mathematics is a full course and leads to the other Diploma options.
How are MYP maths grades worked out?
The teacher scores each of the four criteria from 0 to 8, adds them to a total out of 32, and converts that to a grade from 1 to 7 using the IB's boundaries.
Is the MYP eAssessment compulsory?
No. Schools choose whether to enter year 5 students for on-screen exams. Students need them, along with the personal project and other requirements, to earn the IB MYP certificate.
My child scores well on tests but low on criterion D. Why?
Criterion D assesses modelling and judging results in real contexts, not just correct calculation. Practice with open-ended real-world problems, and writing a short evaluation, usually moves it.
How much do MYP maths lessons cost?
$15 a lesson, the same rate for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one and online, and the first lesson is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.