Why IB Math Feels Unpredictable — But Isn’t
Many IB Math students say their exams feel random — but they’re not.
Every IB Math paper follows clear patterns based on syllabus weighting and question rotation. Once you learn how to recognize these trends, you can prepare more efficiently and predict with confidence what’s likely to appear.
That’s exactly what RevisionDojo’s Questionbank helps you do. It organizes past IB Math questions by topic, paper, and difficulty — giving you the data and insight you need to anticipate exam focus areas and revise strategically.
Quick-Start Checklist
Before you start predicting IB Math topics:
- Log into the RevisionDojo Questionbank.
- Select your course: AA or AI, SL or HL.
- Filter questions by Paper 1 or Paper 2.
- Sort by year (e.g., 2019–2024) to identify recurring patterns.
- Keep a tracking sheet or use RevisionDojo’s built-in analytics.
Step 1: Understand IB Topic Weighting
The IB doesn’t pick topics randomly — each paper is designed to reflect syllabus weightings.
For example:
- Functions & Algebra: roughly 35–40%
- Calculus: 20–25%
- Geometry & Trigonometry: 15–20%
- Statistics & Probability: 15–20%
You’ll notice these proportions repeat nearly every year. RevisionDojo’s Questionbank tags each question by syllabus area, allowing you to see which topics dominate each session.
Step 2: Spot Repeating Patterns in Past Papers
Open the Questionbank and filter questions by topic. Then, sort them chronologically.
Patterns start emerging quickly:
- Functions questions appear every May and November session.
- Binomial expansion shows up almost every other paper.
- Differentiation appears consistently in both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
- Vectors rotate between Paper 1 and Paper 2 in alternate years.
RevisionDojo’s interface even displays how many times each topic appeared over the last five years — giving you statistical backing for your predictions.
Step 3: Analyze Question Types, Not Just Topics
It’s not enough to know what appears — you also need to know how it’s tested.
For instance:
- “Functions” may show up as graph transformations one year and as composite function equations the next.
- “Calculus” might appear as optimization in one paper and as rates of change in another.
RevisionDojo’s Questionbank categorizes each question by type and command term (e.g., “find,” “show that,” “hence,” “explain”).
This lets you identify not only the content, but also the format of questions IB examiners favor.
Step 4: Use Frequency Data to Guide Revision
Once you’ve identified recurring question types, use RevisionDojo’s Topic Frequency Charts to prioritize your revision.
Example workflow:
- Export or view the “Most Frequently Tested Topics” chart.
- Rank them from high to low occurrence.
- Focus 70% of your revision time on the top 3–4 areas.
For instance, if you’re an AA SL student, your top priorities might be:
- Algebraic manipulation and functions
- Trigonometry
- Derivatives and applications
- Probability
Focusing your energy on these areas ensures you’re always prepared for the most probable questions.
Step 5: Combine Past Paper Insights With Questionbank Practice
Prediction is only useful if it’s paired with practice.
Once you’ve identified the key topics, head straight to the Questionbank and:
- Solve 5–7 recent past questions on that topic.
- Compare your working to the official markscheme.
- Note whether the question uses “show that” or “prove that” — these command terms require structured justification.
This approach reinforces both knowledge and pattern recognition.
Step 6: Use “Exam Builder” Mode for Realistic Simulations
For a deeper level of prediction-based practice, open the Exam Builder in RevisionDojo and select:
- Topics with high recurrence (based on your analysis).
- Paper type (1 or 2).
- Difficulty range (Standard to Challenge).
You’ll generate a custom practice exam built entirely around likely exam content.
Over several weeks, this method trains your instincts — you’ll begin spotting topic trends automatically when new exams are released.
Step 7: Cross-Check Patterns Year Over Year
RevisionDojo’s data shows that IB examiners often rotate emphasis: if a topic appears heavily one session, it may appear lightly the next.
For example:
- If “Integration” was heavily tested in May 2024, you might expect a lighter focus in November 2024 but a return in May 2025.
- Conversely, under-tested topics like “Sequences and Series” often resurface the following year.
By studying three to five years of papers through the Questionbank, you’ll develop a reliable feel for these rotations.
Step 8: Stay Updated With RevisionDojo’s Analytics
The Topic Trend Analyzer in RevisionDojo updates automatically with each new paper.
You’ll see which areas are trending upward (more likely to appear) and which are tapering off.
This saves hours of manual analysis and gives you a live picture of what to expect in your upcoming exam season.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I really predict what will appear on my IB Math exam?
While you can’t know exact questions, you can reliably anticipate focus areas. The IB repeats topic patterns year after year. RevisionDojo’s Questionbank simply makes those trends visible and actionable.
2. How far back should I analyze past questions?
Use the last five years as your baseline. Older questions may still help, but newer exams better reflect the updated syllabus and current examiner style.
3. Should I only study frequent topics?
No — but prioritize them. Aim for 70% of your effort on high-frequency topics and 30% reviewing less common ones. That balance ensures strong overall coverage.
Final Thoughts
Predicting IB Math topics isn’t about guessing — it’s about recognizing patterns.
By using RevisionDojo’s Questionbank, you can turn those patterns into a targeted, efficient revision plan that saves time and boosts scores.
With every practice session, you’ll not only strengthen your math skills but also sharpen your exam intuition — a skill top scorers always share.
Call to Action
Start predicting smarter today.
Open RevisionDojo’s Questionbank and explore past-paper trends to prepare confidently for your next IB Math exam.
