IB Math AA HL Paper 2 Predicted Questions 2026
The HL topics most likely to appear in the 2026 Paper 2 — backed by frequency analysis across past paper sessions. This is the calculator-active paper: GDC required throughout, so every prediction here is paired with the GDC method that earns the marks.
Stop hoping the right topics come up.
Know exactly what to practise — and the GDC method that scores it.
AA HL Paper 2 is dominated by first-order differential equations, continuous random variables and the normal distribution — the three highest-frequency areas on this paper. We drill these alongside kinematics, rational-function graphs and related rates so you walk in knowing exactly which GDC routine each long-answer chain needs.
- High-frequency topic walkthroughs: differential equations, continuous random variables, the normal distribution, kinematics.
- Paper 2 method drills with GDC required — the exact calculator routines tested on exam day.
- Full-mark long-answer chains: separable and integrating-factor DEs, related rates, vectors with lines and planes.
- Frequency-ranked focus so you spend your final revision on what HL Paper 2 actually asks.
Most likely Paper 1 focus areas
Based on frequency analysis across past Math AA HL Paper 2 sessions
- 1First-order differential equations — set up and solve separable or integrating-factor DEs, with Euler's method for numerical approximation (appeared 56 times — the single most frequent Paper 2 topic)
- 2Continuous random variables — integrate a probability density function, then find the mean, median and variance, often on the GDC (appeared 51 times)
- 3The normal distribution, including binomial — GDC normalcdf / invNorm probabilities and binomial models (appeared 50 times)
- 4Kinematics — velocity, acceleration and distance from displacement, including signed area on the GDC (appeared 41 times)
- 5Rational functions and their graphs — asymptotes, intercepts and sketches of (ax+b)/(cx+d) and quadratic-over-linear forms (appeared 40 times)
- 6Bivariate statistics — regression lines and the correlation coefficient r straight from the GDC (appeared 30 times)
- 7Related rates of change — link two rates with the chain rule and solve at an instant (appeared 27 times)
- 8Vectors — lines and planes, including intersections, angles and shortest distances (appeared 25 times)
How to use these HL Paper 2 predictions
- 1Prioritise differential equations first — at 56 appearances it is the highest-frequency topic on AA HL Paper 2 and almost always a long-answer question.
- 2Drill continuous random variables and the normal distribution together — they sit at 51 and 50 appearances and cover most of the paper's statistics marks.
- 3Practise every prediction on your GDC — this is the calculator-active paper, so know the exact normalcdf, regression and integral routines cold, plus the Euler's method recursion.
- 4Use the appearance counts to rank your final week: spend the most time on the top topics, keep vectors and related rates warm as near-certain mid-paper questions.
Ready to walk in confident on Math AA HL Paper 2?
Turn these predictions into marks. The crash course walks you through each high-frequency HL topic with full GDC methods and exam-style long-answer chains, so nothing on Paper 2 catches you off guard.
Join the Math AA HL Paper 2 crash course