Ebook: Mathematics for the International Student : Mathematical Studies: Exam Preparation and Practice Guide

This guide aims to help you prepare for the IB Mathematical Studies SL final examination. It should be used in conjunction with your textbook and other material suggested by your teacher.

While using this guide you will need to refer to your information booklet. The formulas and tables are not given in the guide. It is essential that you become familiar with the layout and content of the booklet.

Each topic begins with a concise summary of key facts and includes a number of worked examples linked to the main concepts. This is intended to complement your textbook. Following each summary is a set of twenty five short questions and eight long questions which can be used to consolidate your knowledge by reminding you of the fundamental skills required for the topic.

The best way to consolidate your mathematical understanding is by being active. This includes summarising the topics in an effective way and attempting questions.

This guide also offers five specimen examinations. Try to complete the specimen examinations under examination conditions. Getting into good habits will reduce pressure during the examination.

- It is important that you persevere with a question, but sometimes it is a good strategy to move on to other questions and return later to ones you have found challenging. Time management is very important during the examination.
- Set your work out clearly with full explanations, don't take shortcuts.

After completing a specimen examination, identify areas of weakness.

- Return to your notes or textbook and review the topic.
- Summarize each topic. Summaries you make yourself are the most valuable.
- If you have had difficulty with a question, try it again later. Do not just assume that you know how to do it once you have read the solution.

Fully worked solutions are provided for every question in the topic section of the guide. Detailed markschemes are provided for each paper in the specimen examinations. In many situations alternative solutions exist which are accepted.