u/Spiky-Penguin2023

Just like the title asks.

If someone did not possess any natural talent (like, even below average) for mathematics and science, yet they chose Physics, Chemistry and Math AA as their Higher Level subjects, will they be able to reliably score 7s in those subjects if they absolutely maximize hardwork, discipline and the environment?

Say, their ultimate target is to score ≥80% in raw marks in the final exams (which would be a guaranteed 7 in Physics and Math AA and almost always a 7 in Chem).

Just for the mentioned HL exams alone, the student chooses to dedicate this much effort:

6 hours a day every single day (on average) for 6 straight years.

And as for their starting level, they were already operating at the level of mid-high 6 (just 3-5% away from a 7) across all three of the HL subjects.

Assume that during the 6 years of preparation, they will have access to the best resources, the best study methods, the best mentors/tutors, the best home environment, the best nutrition, and will never lose motivation nor ever get burned out.

Also assume that their IA marks are already pre-determined at:

15/20 for Math AA

20/24 for Chem

20/24 for Physics

so it is only the final written exams that they'll have to worry about.

The question is, CAN the person in this scenario score ≥80% in the HL Math AA, Chemistry and Physics exams?

Feel free to be brutally honest.

I hear that the exam was easier than usual, so some people are expecting the grade boundary to skyrocket.

Although, in my opinion, I doubt it will go beyond 77% for level 7.

But what do you guys think?

Does MR (misread) apply if you used the equation from a wrong part of the question?

Specifically, the question states you must differentiate both sides of the equation from part a) to prove that the equation given in part c) holds true.

But instead, you misread it, so you try differentiate both sides of the equation from part c) instead of part a), and try to equate them.

Would you lose ALL marks even if you differentiated the equation from part c) correctly?

Or would "MR" marks save you somewhat?

Just like the title asks.

In IB Math AA HL paper 2s, if you give your answer to more than 3 sig figs and the question does not specify how many sig figs you should give you answer to, would you lose a mark?

I know, I know, the front cover of paper 2 states students must give answers to three sig figs unless stated otherwise, and so do the mark schemes.

But at the same time, I have not seen the mark schemes (of recent years) explicitly instruct examiners to "do not grant A1 marks if answers are given to more than 3 sig figs".

I thought that the penalty only applies when you either give too few sig figs (e.g. rounding the correct answer of 52.1 to 100) or way too many sig figs (e.g. giving 52.115273892 instead of 52.1).

Could anyone please clarify?