IB Math AA HL · 2021 to 2026
Unit 5: Calculus
457 past paper questions from 56 exam sittings. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
Starter set: 30 AI-marked questions across the most-tested skills
2021 to 2026 · HL
Unit 5: Calculus
Latest sitting May 2026
- questions
- 457
- questions
- sittings
- 56
- sittings
- micro-topics
- 35
- micro-topics
2021 to 2026
Topics in Unit 5: Calculus
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
5.1
Introduction to derivatives
0% of the marks · 1 question
5.2
Increasing & decreasing
2% of the marks · 7 questions
5.3
Differentiating polynomials
1% of the marks · 11 questions
5.4
Tangents & normals
6% of the marks · 28 questions
5.5
Introduction to integration
2% of the marks · 12 questions
5.6
Chain, product & quotient
6% of the marks · 28 questions
- DueQuotient rule
5.7
Second derivative
3% of the marks · 12 questions
- RisingSecond derivative
5.8
Optimisation & inflexion
13% of the marks · 71 questions
5.9
Kinematics
8% of the marks · 49 questions
5.10
Integration by substitution
1% of the marks · 3 questions
5.11
Definite integrals & areas
6% of the marks · 26 questions
- RisingArea between curves
5.12
First principles (HL only)
1% of the marks · 11 questions
5.13
Limits & l'Hopital (HL only)
4% of the marks · 17 questions
- DueRepeated L'Hopital & rewriting forms
5.14
Implicit & related rates (HL only)
9% of the marks · 32 questions
5.15
Further calculus (HL only)
2% of the marks · 9 questions
5.16
Integration by parts (HL only)
5% of the marks · 15 questions
- RisingIntegration by parts
5.17
Volumes of revolution (HL only)
5% of the marks · 19 questions
5.18
Differential equations (HL only)
17% of the marks · 70 questions
5.19
Maclaurin series (HL only)
8% of the marks · 36 questions
Exam pattern
Which micro-topics repeat, and which are due, rising or fading.
Does it repeat?
Top 4 of 35 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5.8.1Stationary points | 9 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 5 |
5.17.2Volumes of revolution | 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
5.4.1Tangents | 8 | 5 | 2 | · | 5 | 1 |
5.9.1Kinematics | 11 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 20 | 1 |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueRepeated L'Hopital & rewriting forms· last May 25 P2 TZ2
Free account · no card needed
See the full exam pattern
Every micro-topic in the heatmap and the complete watch list, free with an account.
You come straight back to this page with your set built.
- With a free account
- 3 generated sets of 10 past-paper questions, any scope
- One AI-marked practice set with step-by-step feedback
- The full exam pattern: every micro-topic and the watch list
Generator
Generate Math AA HL past paper questions
Pick any mix of units, topics or micro-topics, generate a set, then practise matching Exam Vault questions with AI marking.
Explore by exam session
Where Unit 5: Calculus came up in each paper. Open a paper to see those questions highlighted.
May 2026
11 questions across 3 papers
November 2025
19 questions across 6 papers
May 2025
24 questions across 9 papers
November 2024
5 questions across 2 papers
May 2024
17 questions across 6 papers
November 2023
7 questions across 3 papers
May 2023
15 questions across 6 papers
November 2022
12 questions across 3 papers
May 2022
17 questions across 6 papers
November 2021
9 questions across 3 papers
May 2021
18 questions across 6 papers
Specimen 2021
8 questions across 3 papers
Every Unit 5: Calculus question, unlocked
Generate all 457 questions in this unit at once, practise every one with AI marking, and see how each mark is awarded.
- Every past-paper question in any unit, topic or micro-topic
- Generate sets of 20 or all questions, as often as you like
- Unlimited practice with AI marking and worked answers
- See how every mark is awarded for each question
- Predicted papers and crash courses built from the same data
Used by IB students preparing for Nov 2026, May 2027 and May 2028
From €6/mo. 14-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Math AA HL exam sessions are covered for Unit 5: Calculus?
12 sessions from 2021 to 2026, the latest May 2026. Every Paper 1, 2 and 3 in every timezone is read and classified in full.
Which Unit 5: Calculus topic comes up most?
Stationary points (5.8.1): in 37% of sittings, last seen May 26 P3, usually a "find / solve" question worth about 3 marks.
Can I see the original question and mark scheme?
No. The wording belongs to the IB. You get the citation, the marks, the command term and the skill tested, plus our own practice questions of the same shape with worked answers and AI marking.
What do "banker", "due" and "rising" mean?
Banker: examined in at least one sitting in four and still appearing. Due: regular before, but absent for the last two exam sessions. Rising: clearly more common in the last two years. Our classification of real papers, not an IB statistic.
What is free and what needs Pro?
Reading this page and the exam pattern is free. A free account generates three sets of ten questions and launches one practice set. Pro opens every question in any scope, sets of twenty or all, and unlimited practice.
Keep going