Why MYP Mathematics Feels Different From Other Maths Courses
Many students are confident in maths — until they meet MYP Mathematics.
They know the formulas.
They can do the calculations.
Yet their grades don’t always reflect that confidence.
The reason is simple: MYP Mathematics is not assessed like traditional maths courses.
In the IB Middle Years Programme, maths is about thinking, communication, and application — not just getting the final answer.
The Four Assessment Criteria in MYP Mathematics
MYP Mathematics is assessed using four criteria. Each task usually targets one or two of them.
Understanding these criteria is the single biggest step students can take toward improving their results.
Criterion A: Knowing and Understanding
What it assesses:
Mathematical knowledge and procedural skills.
This includes:
- Correct use of formulas
- Accurate calculations
- Showing appropriate methods
Many students assume this criterion alone determines their grade. It doesn’t.
Strong performance here is necessary — but not sufficient — for top marks.
Criterion B: Investigating Patterns
What it assesses:
How well students explore patterns, relationships, and generalisations.
High-level responses:
- Identify patterns clearly
- Explain relationships logically
- Justify general rules
This criterion often surprises students because it requires explanation, not just calculation.
Criterion C: Communicating
What it assesses:
How clearly mathematical thinking is explained.
This includes:
- Logical working
- Clear reasoning
- Appropriate use of mathematical language
A correct answer with unclear working can lose marks here.
In MYP Maths, how you explain matters almost as much as what you calculate.
Criterion D: Applying Mathematics in Real-Life Contexts
What it assesses:
How effectively students apply maths to real-world situations.
High-scoring responses:
- Interpret real-world problems accurately
- Choose appropriate mathematical strategies
- Justify solutions in context
This criterion is often where students lose marks — not because the maths is harder, but because the context is misunderstood.
Why Students Get Stuck at the Same Level
Most students plateau in MYP Mathematics because they:
- Focus only on getting the answer
- Ignore explanation and justification
- Revise procedures but not application
As a result, they score well in Criterion A but lose marks elsewhere.
Understanding the criteria shifts revision from “doing more questions” to doing the right kind of questions.
How to Revise Effectively for MYP Mathematics
Effective MYP Maths revision focuses on application and explanation, not repetition.
Strong revision habits include:
- Practising questions by criterion
- Explaining reasoning in full sentences
- Justifying answers, not just stating them
- Reviewing markbands and descriptors
Students improve fastest when they practise explaining their thinking — even when their calculations are correct.
Why Question-Based Practice Works Best
MYP Mathematics rewards students who can:
- Apply maths flexibly
- Communicate clearly
- Interpret unfamiliar contexts
This is why structured, question-based revision is so effective. Platforms like RevisionDojo help students practise MYP-style maths questions aligned to specific criteria, receive feedback on explanation and method, and improve beyond procedural accuracy.
The goal isn’t more practice — it’s better-aligned practice.
A Simple Weekly MYP Maths Revision Approach
A balanced revision routine might include:
- 2 Criterion A practice questions
- 1 pattern or investigation task
- 1 real-world application problem
- 1 explanation-focused rewrite
This builds all four criteria consistently, rather than overloading one.
Questions Students and Parents Often Ask
Is MYP Maths harder than other maths courses?
Not in terms of content — but it demands more explanation, reasoning, and application.
Can students lose marks even with the right answer?
Yes. Unclear working, weak communication, or poor interpretation of context can lower marks.
Should students memorise formulas?
They need to know formulas, but understanding when and how to use them matters more.
How can students improve quickly in MYP Maths?
By practising explanation, justification, and real-world application — not just calculations.
The Key Shift in MYP Mathematics
Students succeed in MYP Mathematics when they stop asking:
Did I get the right answer?
and start asking:
Did I show my thinking clearly and apply the maths correctly?
Once that shift happens, grades usually follow.
