The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is a two-year educational course designed for students aged 16 to 19 and is globally respected by universities. This program is not just an exam; it is a comprehensive educational system. Students study six subjects (including mathematics) and must complete an Extended Essay, a course in Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) activities.

Mathematics is one of the required subject groups in the IB program. It offers different levels of mathematics: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (AA) and Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (AI), each available at both Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL). Students choose one of these courses based on their abilities and academic or career plans. Mathematics HL is significantly more challenging and is equivalent to advanced calculus courses in high school and beyond. All IB mathematics courses emphasize problem-solving and real-world applications.

Mathematics assessment in the IB is conducted through external examinations (two or three sections in each course) and an internal assessment project. These exams include calculator and non-calculator questions, and there is no fixed number of math questions; rather, a mix of short and long questions is provided. Each subject is graded on a scale from 1 to 7 (with 7 being the highest score). The overall IB diploma score is the sum of the six subject scores (maximum 42 points) plus up to 3 additional points for the core components, totaling a maximum of 45 points. The minimum score required to earn the diploma is 24 points (with specific conditions for subscores). In practice, a score of 40 or above in the IB is considered excellent and competitive for top universities. The IB diploma is widely recognized in over 100 countries and by thousands of universities. This program provides comprehensive preparation, and university admissions officials often appreciate its rigor. Universities typically condition their offers on IB scores (e.g., “total score of 38 with a 6 in Mathematics HL”). High performance in Mathematics HL can lead to advanced placement or credit at some universities. The international perspective and standardization of the IB have made it popular among global families, including some Iranian families seeking an alternative to national programs. Currently, there are no IB schools in Iran, but Iranian students abroad or those enrolled in international schools (such as in the Middle East or Europe) often pursue the IB due to its strong preparation for university in mathematics and other subjects.