“They Understand the Maths — So What’s Going Wrong?”
This is one of the most common frustrations parents and students share about MYP Mathematics.
The formulas are familiar.
The calculations are mostly correct.
Yet grades feel lower — or stuck — compared to expectations.
In the IB Middle Years Programme, struggling in maths rarely means a student “isn’t good at maths.” More often, it means they’re approaching MYP Math like a traditional maths course — and the system is asking for something different.
Reason 1: Students Focus Only on the Final Answer
In many maths systems, the answer is everything.
In MYP Math, the answer is only part of the story.
Students lose marks when they:
- Skip explanations
- Don’t justify methods
- Assume correct calculations guarantee high scores
MYP Maths rewards process and communication, not just correctness.
How to fix it
Students should practise explaining why they chose a method and how it works — even when the maths feels obvious.
Reason 2: Criterion A Dominates Revision
Most students revise almost entirely for Knowing and Understanding.
As a result:
- Criterion B (patterns) is underdeveloped
- Criterion C (communication) is rushed
- Criterion D (real-life application) feels unfamiliar
This imbalance caps grades quickly.
How to fix it
Revision should deliberately target all four criteria, even if that means doing fewer questions more thoughtfully.
Reason 3: Real-Life Contexts Cause Confusion
Many students are comfortable with abstract questions but struggle when maths appears in context.
They:
- Misread the problem
- Choose inappropriate methods
- Fail to interpret answers meaningfully
This leads to unnecessary losses in Criterion D.
How to fix it
Students should practise slowing down, identifying what the problem is really asking, and explaining what their answer means in context — not just stating it.
Reason 4: Weak Mathematical Communication
Students often know what they’re doing — but don’t show it clearly.
Common issues include:
- Missing steps
- Unlabelled diagrams
- Jumping between calculations
- Minimal written explanation
Markers can’t award marks for thinking they can’t see.
How to fix it
Students should practise writing clear, logical working, using full mathematical sentences when needed.
Reason 5: Passive Revision Creates False Confidence
Rereading worked examples or watching solution videos can feel reassuring — but it rarely improves performance.
Passive revision doesn’t:
- Build explanation skills
- Strengthen application
- Reveal misunderstandings
Students feel confident until they face an unfamiliar question.
How to fix it
Active, question-based revision forces students to think, choose methods, and explain decisions — exactly what MYP assessment demands.
This is why platforms like RevisionDojo are effective for MYP Maths. By offering criterion-tagged questions, real-world problem practice, and feedback on explanation and method, students learn how to close the gap between “knowing the maths” and showing it properly.
A Practical Way to Rebuild Confidence in MYP Math
Students struggling in MYP Math often improve fastest when they:
- Practise fewer questions more deeply
- Explain every step out loud or in writing
- Review feedback by criterion
- Rewrite explanations instead of recalculating answers
Confidence grows from clarity — not repetition.
Questions Students and Parents Often Ask
Does struggling in MYP Math mean a student won’t do well later?
No. Many students improve significantly once they adjust how they explain and apply maths.
Why do grades sometimes drop even when effort increases?
Because MYP Maths rewards how students think and communicate, not just how hard they work.
Is tutoring always necessary?
Not always. Many students improve with structured, criteria-focused practice and better revision habits.
How long does it take to see improvement?
Often within a few weeks once students begin revising by criterion and practising explanation consistently.
The Shift That Changes MYP Math Results
Students succeed in MYP Math when they stop asking:
Did I get the right answer?
and start asking:
Did I explain my thinking clearly and apply the maths correctly?
Once that shift happens, progress becomes far more predictable — and far less stressful.
