IB Math AA SL · 2019 to 2025
Unit 3: Geometry & Trigonometry
221 past paper questions from 38 papers across 10 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
Starter set across the most-tested skills, with AI marking and model answers.
SL archive · 2021 to 2026
Unit 3: Geometry & Trigonometry
Latest exam session: May 2026
- questions
- 221
- questions
- papers
- 38
- papers
- exam sessions
- 10
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 18
Topics in Unit 3: Geometry & Trigonometry
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
3.1
3D geometry
16% of marks101 of the 632 marks across the 40 Math AA SL papers analysed (16%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 36 questions
3.2
Sine & cosine rules
24% of marks149 of the 632 marks across the 40 Math AA SL papers analysed (24%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 46 questions
3.3
Bearings & elevation
4% of marks23 of the 632 marks across the 40 Math AA SL papers analysed (4%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 10 questions
- RisingElevation & depression
3.4
Radians, arcs & sectors
17% of marks106 of the 632 marks across the 40 Math AA SL papers analysed (17%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 36 questions
- FadingRadian measure
3.5
Unit circle & exact values
3% of marks22 of the 632 marks across the 40 Math AA SL papers analysed (3%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 6 questions
3.6
Identities & double angles
6% of marks37 of the 632 marks across the 40 Math AA SL papers analysed (6%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 12 questions
- RisingPythagorean identity
3.7
Trig graphs & transformations
17% of marks107 of the 632 marks across the 40 Math AA SL papers analysed (17%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 52 questions
3.8
Trig equations
14% of marks87 of the 632 marks across the 40 Math AA SL papers analysed (14%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 23 questions
Exam pattern
How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.
Does it repeat?
Top 4 of 18 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.2.2Sine & cosine rules | ·Sine & cosine rules, 2019: 0 questions | 1Sine & cosine rules, 2021: 1 question | 6Sine & cosine rules, 2022: 6 questions | 3Sine & cosine rules, 2023: 3 questions | 2Sine & cosine rules, 2024: 2 questions | 5Sine & cosine rules, 2025: 5 questions | 3Sine & cosine rules, 2026: 3 questions |
| ·Solving trig equations, 2019: 0 questions | 6Solving trig equations, 2021: 6 questions | 6Solving trig equations, 2022: 6 questions | 2Solving trig equations, 2023: 2 questions | 5Solving trig equations, 2024: 5 questions | 3Solving trig equations, 2025: 3 questions | 1Solving trig equations, 2026: 1 question | |
| ·Volume & surface area, 2019: 0 questions | 2Volume & surface area, 2021: 2 questions | 2Volume & surface area, 2022: 2 questions | 4Volume & surface area, 2023: 4 questions | 7Volume & surface area, 2024: 7 questions | 3Volume & surface area, 2025: 3 questions | 2Volume & surface area, 2026: 2 questions | |
| ·Arc length & sector area, 2019: 0 questions | 5Arc length & sector area, 2021: 5 questions | 4Arc length & sector area, 2022: 4 questions | 9Arc length & sector area, 2023: 9 questions | 7Arc length & sector area, 2024: 7 questions | 3Arc length & sector area, 2025: 3 questions | 2Arc length & sector area, 2026: 2 questions |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- RisingElevation & depression· last May 26 P2 TZC
- Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
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Questions on Unit 3: Geometry & Trigonometry, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 3: Geometry & Trigonometry, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
May 2026
8 questions across 4 papers
May 2025
14 questions across 6 papers
November 2024
10 questions across 4 papers
May 2024
10 questions across 4 papers
November 2023
10 questions across 4 papers
May 2023
10 questions across 4 papers
November 2022
5 questions across 2 papers
May 2022
9 questions across 4 papers
November 2021
5 questions across 2 papers
May 2021
8 questions across 4 papers
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Math AA SL exam sessions are covered for Unit 3: Geometry & Trigonometry?
11 exam sessions from 2021 to 2026, the latest May 2026. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 38 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 3: Geometry & Trigonometry topic comes up most?
Sine & cosine rules (3.2.2): in 35% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZA. Usually "find / solve", worth about 4.9 marks in a paper that includes it.
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 matched practice questions 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.
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