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IB Math IA Structure: What Your Exploration Should Look Like
Applies to AA and AI, SL and HL · Updated July 2026
There's no single mandated template for the Math IA, which is exactly why so many students stall out staring at a blank page. In practice, though, almost every strong IA follows a similar shape. Here's the typical flow, section by section.
Length
The IB doesn't set a strict page limit, but the commonly cited guideline is around 12–20 pages, including diagrams and working. Longer isn't automatically better — a focused 14 pages with genuine depth usually scores higher than a padded 20.
1
Title
~1 line
Specific and descriptive, not vague. "Modelling the trajectory of a basketball free throw using quadratic functions" tells the reader far more than "Basketball and Maths."
2
Introduction
~0.5–1 page
Context for the topic, why you chose it, and what you already know or suspect going in. This is where personal engagement should start showing, not just be mentioned once.
3
Aim / Rationale
~2–4 sentences
One clear, specific statement of what you're investigating. If someone reads only this, they should know exactly what question the rest of the IA answers.
4
Background / Preliminary Theory
~1–2 pages
Any mathematical concepts you need to introduce before the main exploration — definitions, a theorem you'll rely on, or context from the real-world subject area. Keep this focused on what you actually use later.
5
Mathematical Exploration / Process
~6–10 pages
The core of the IA. Work through your method step by step — set up the model, perform the calculations, show your working clearly. This is where most of your Criterion B and E marks come from.
6
Analysis / Results
~2–3 pages
Interpret what your calculations actually mean. Don't just present a final number — explain what it tells you in the context of your original question.
7
Conclusion
~0.5–1 page
Directly answer your aim. Does your model or exploration actually address the question you set out with? Be honest if the answer is "partly."
8
Reflection
Woven throughout + a closing section
Limitations of your model, assumptions you made, what surprised you, and what you'd explore next. This should appear at multiple points, not just as a final paragraph.
9
Bibliography
As needed
Every dataset, formula, or concept you didn't derive yourself needs a source — including any images or data taken from elsewhere.
A common structural mistake
Treating reflection as something that only belongs at the end is the single most common structural issue examiners note. If your only reflective comment is a closing paragraph, Criterion D will likely be capped low even if the rest of the IA is strong. Build in short reflective comments right after key steps — "this assumption simplifies the model but likely underestimates X" reads far better woven into the process than saved for the conclusion.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need every section in this exact order?
This is the typical flow, not a mandated template — some strong IAs weave background theory directly into the exploration rather than separating it out. What matters most is that a reader can follow your logic clearly, whatever order you choose.
Is there an official minimum or maximum page count?
The IB does not set a hard page limit, though excessively long explorations are generally discouraged — always check your current subject guide for the most up-to-date guidance from the IBO.