IB Math AI HL Paper 1 Predicted Questions 2026
The topics most likely to appear in the 2026 session Paper 1 — backed by frequency analysis across all past paper sessions. GDC required throughout: every Math AI HL paper is calculator-active, and Paper 1 is the shorter paper of compulsory short-response questions.
Stop hoping the right topics come up.
Know exactly what to practise — and how to do it on the GDC.
Math AI HL Paper 1 leans hard on function modelling, calculus and the HL-only topics that trip students up — volume of revolution, complex numbers in exponential form and Voronoi diagrams. The crash course drills these high-frequency areas with the exact GDC methods examiners reward.
- High-frequency HL topic walkthroughs: function modelling, volume of revolution, complex numbers, chi-squared and Voronoi diagrams.
- Paper 1 method drills with the GDC required throughout — the exact short-response skills tested on exam day.
- HL-only traps made simple: exponential/phasor form, related rates, and reading a Voronoi diagram correctly.
- Worked examples that mirror how AI HL phrases each question, so the wording feels familiar.
Most likely Paper 1 focus areas
Based on frequency analysis across all past Math AI HL Paper 1 sessions
- 1Modelling with functions — fitting and interpreting a model from data — the single most common area, appeared 46 times
- 2Solving equations and finding inverse functions on the GDC — appeared 29 times
- 3Volume of revolution (HL only) — rotating a curve about an axis — appeared 26 times
- 4Complex numbers in exponential/phasor form (HL only) — appeared 26 times
- 5Statistics: grouped data and the chi-squared goodness-of-fit test — appeared 25 times
- 6Differentiation and related rates (HL only) — appeared 24 times
- 7Binomial distribution and expectation on the GDC — appeared 21 times
- 8Voronoi diagrams (HL only) — nearest-site and toxic-waste-dump problems — appeared 21 times
How to use these predictions
- 1Prioritise function modelling first — at 46 appearances it is the highest-frequency area on the whole paper.
- 2Lock down the HL-only topics next: volume of revolution, complex numbers in exponential form, related rates and Voronoi diagrams together account for most of the HL-specific marks.
- 3Practise every topic with your GDC in hand — Paper 1 is calculator-active, so know the exact keystrokes for solving, chi-squared and binomial.
- 4Use the crash course worked examples to rehearse the wording, then sit a timed Paper 1 to pace the short compulsory questions.
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