MYP Standard Mathematics eAssessments are marked externally by trained IB examiners, not by the student’s mathematics teacher. Examiners use question-specific markschemes aligned with the four MYP mathematics assessment criteria. The raw marks are then combined and converted into a final subject grade from 1 to 7.
This article explains who marks the examination, how its three tasks assess the criteria, how partial credit works, and what students should expect on exam day. Coordinators should always follow the current session’s IB instructions where local arrangements vary.
Who marks the MYP Standard Mathematics eAssessment?
The mathematics eAssessment is an on-screen examination. According to the IB’s overview of MYP assessment and examinations, on-screen examinations are externally marked by trained IB examiners.
This differs from an ePortfolio or personal project, which involves teacher marking and external moderation. Mathematics teachers use the MYP criteria throughout the course, but they do not determine the official examination mark.
Examiners apply a markscheme to each submitted response. Some questions use point-based marking, while investigations and modelling problems require judgment about reasoning, interpretation, communication, and justification.
Which mathematics criteria are assessed?
The official MYP Mathematics subject brief identifies four equally weighted criteria:
- Criterion A: Knowing and understanding -- selecting and applying appropriate mathematics.
- Criterion B: Investigating patterns -- identifying relationships, forming rules, and justifying them.
- Criterion C: Communicating -- using clear notation, representations, reasoning, and mathematical language.
- Criterion D: Applying mathematics in real-life contexts -- modelling situations, interpreting results, and evaluating whether answers are reasonable.
In the examination, individual questions carry raw marks linked to these criteria. This allows examiners to award credit for specific evidence, including partially correct work.
How the three examination tasks are marked
The subject brief organizes the examination into three tasks. Each has a principal focus, while Criterion C is assessed throughout.
| Examination task | Main criteria assessed | Indicative marks |
|---|---|---|
| Knowing and understanding | Criteria A and C | 31--35 |
| Investigating patterns | Criteria B and C | 31--35 |
| Applying mathematics in real-life contexts | Criteria C and D | 31--35 |
Criterion C contributes 25 marks across the three tasks. Correct notation, labelled graphs, logical explanations, and appropriate mathematical vocabulary therefore matter across the examination.
Knowing and understanding
These questions test whether students can select and apply mathematical knowledge in familiar and unfamiliar situations. Accuracy matters, but a correct method may receive partial credit when a later arithmetic mistake produces the wrong answer. Students should show enough working for the examiner to identify their approach.
Investigating patterns
An investigation requires more than continuing a sequence. A strong response identifies a pattern, proposes a general rule, tests it, and explains why it works. For example, writing without supporting calculations or justification may earn only some of the available marks.
Applying mathematics in real-life contexts
These questions assess how effectively students translate a situation into mathematics and interpret the result. They may need to choose a model, calculate an answer, discuss limitations, or assess reasonableness. If a model produces buses, the student should interpret that value appropriately in context.
How raw marks become a grade
After the responses are marked, the raw marks are combined. The IB then applies its grade-award process and reports a final mathematics grade from 1 to 7.
The process is criterion-related, meaning grades represent demonstrated standards rather than a fixed proportion of candidates. A classroom percentage should not be assumed to equal a particular IB grade. The IB’s grading and awards guidance confirms that each eAssessment subject receives a 1-to-7 grade.
Exam-day logistics
Mathematics on-screen examinations last two hours and are held during the May and November sessions. The examination is installed locally on an approved computer rather than delivered through an ordinary website.
The interface may include an on-screen calculator, graphing functions, drawing tools, interactive material, and several response formats. Students can explore these features through the IB’s on-screen examinations overview.
Schools manage devices, rooms, arrival times, invigilation, and permitted materials under IB regulations. The IB’s exam preparation guidance explains the familiarization materials and technical tools provided to schools.
How to protect marks
Students should make their mathematical thinking visible:
- Show important substitutions and intermediate steps.
- Define variables and include units.
- Label graphs and use accepted notation.
- State and justify general rules.
- Interpret answers in their original context.
- Check rounding and reasonableness.
- Follow command terms such as justify, verify, and comment.
A correct answer may not earn every mark when explanation is required. Conversely, an incorrect final answer may still receive credit for valid progress. When time is limited, writing a relevant formula, substitution, diagram, or first step is better than leaving the response blank.
Students can review how MYP Mathematics is assessed, practise with the MYP Standard Mathematics Questionbank, or follow a 30-day MYP eAssessment study plan.
Conclusion
MYP Standard Mathematics eAssessments are marked by trained IB examiners using markschemes connected to Criteria A, B, C, and D. Students earn marks by showing methods, reasoning, communication, and interpretation rather than entering final answers alone. RevisionDojo’s Standard Mathematics resource hub, Questionbank, and timed practice can support preparation alongside official IB familiarization materials.
Sources and referenced URLs
- IB MYP assessment and examinations
- Official MYP Mathematics subject brief
- IB grading and awards guidance
- IB on-screen examinations overview
- IB on-screen examination preparation guidance
- RevisionDojo guide to MYP Mathematics assessment
- RevisionDojo Standard Mathematics Questionbank
- RevisionDojo 30-day MYP eAssessment study plan
- RevisionDojo Standard Mathematics resources
