Choose Analysis and Approaches (AA) if maths, engineering, physics, computer science or economics at a selective university is a real possibility, because some of those courses name AA at Higher Level. Choose Applications and Interpretation (AI) if your child's strengths and plans lean towards data, modelling, the social sciences, business or the life sciences. It is a choice between two kinds of maths, not an easy one and a hard one — and the courses your child might apply to should settle it.
What is ClassArc?
ClassArc is live one-to-one online maths tutoring for school-age children. One teacher and one child, for 55 minutes. The same teacher every week. Classes run inside our own classroom software, not a video call: a shared worksheet you both write on, a shared whiteboard, and answers that sync live.
The short answer
Analysis and Approaches leans on algebra, functions, proof and calculus. Applications and Interpretation leans on modelling, statistics and using technology to work with real data. Both run at Standard Level and Higher Level, and both end in the same grade scale.
For most degree courses either one is accepted. The decision only becomes high-stakes for a small set of maths-heavy courses at selective universities, which is why the practical advice is to list the courses first and choose the maths second.
Side by side
Figures from the IB's own subject briefs for each course.
| Analysis and Approaches (AA) | Applications and Interpretation (AI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis | Algebra, functions, proof, calculus | Modelling, statistics, data, technology |
| Technology | No calculator on Paper 1; technology allowed on Paper 2 and HL Paper 3 | Technology required on every paper |
| SL assessment | Paper 1 (1h 30m, 40%), Paper 2 (1h 30m, 40%), exploration (20%) | Paper 1 (1h 30m, 40%), Paper 2 (1h 30m, 40%), exploration (20%) |
| HL assessment | Paper 1 (2h, 30%), Paper 2 (2h, 30%), Paper 3 (1h, 20%), exploration (20%) | Paper 1 (2h, 30%), Paper 2 (2h, 30%), Paper 3 (1h, 20%), exploration (20%) |
| Typical HL extras | Further calculus, proof by induction and contradiction, complex numbers, series, differential equations | Further statistics, matrices, graph theory, and differential equations used for modelling |
| Recommended teaching hours | SL 150, HL 240 | SL 150, HL 240 |
Sources: IB subject briefs for Analysis and Approaches and Applications and Interpretation. Both courses assess the exploration with the same criteria at SL and HL.
Level matters too
AA HL and AI SL are very different amounts of work: 240 recommended teaching hours against 150, and an extra paper. An AI HL student will do more demanding statistics than many AA students ever meet, but far less abstract algebra.
The exploration is worth 20% on every version of the course. AA students often pick a topic with algebra or calculus at its centre; AI students often build theirs around a data set or a model. The criteria are identical, so the choice of topic should follow what your child can sustain for a long piece of written maths.
University entry
Most courses accept either AA or AI. A small number of maths-heavy courses name AA, and some prefer it. Three examples from the universities' own course pages, as listed in September 2026:
Reading your child
Grades tell you less than habits here. These signs are more useful than last term's report.
Enjoys rearranging formulae, is comfortable with algebraic fractions and quadratics, wants to know why a rule works, and copes well without a calculator.
Likes a context and real numbers, is at ease with spreadsheets and graphing technology, and explains clearly what a result means in the situation.
Factorising, indices and rearranging are not yet automatic from MYP 5 or IGCSE, or there is no room in the timetable for 240 hours. Falling behind in the first term of HL is hard to recover.
May 2026
Where schools in parts of the Middle East could not hold the May 2026 exams safely, the IB awarded Diploma grades through a non-exam contingency route instead. That affects this year's results, not the AA or AI choice, but for 2027 ask your school how the session is planned.
Source: IB announcement of May 2026 results.
How we help
ClassArc teaches AA SL, AA HL, AI SL and AI HL, plus MYP maths. We confirm the course and level before the first class, so an AA student gets algebra fluency, proof and Paper 1 non-calculator work, and an AI student gets GDC skills, statistical tests and practice writing the interpretations where AI marks are often lost.
For the exploration we help with choosing a topic, planning the maths and understanding the criteria — and never write any of it, because IB academic integrity rules require the work to be your child's own. For the Grade 10 decision, the teacher gives an honest view based on how your child actually handles problems from both courses.
Classes are 55 minutes, one to one, with the same teacher through the Diploma. Our teachers are in India, and IB Diploma years start from AED 60 a class on the largest block.
The right course is the one that keeps your child's real options open. The easier-sounding one often does not.
How we advise on AA or AINext
AA and AI, SL and HL, with the same teacher from Grade 11 to the final exams.
IB in DubaiHow we teach the Diploma and MYP courses, and what the first class looks like.
IB tutoringWhere the IB sits among Dubai's curricula, and how to read a KHDA report for maths.
Read the guideAA or AI?
First class
55 minutes. The real classroom. No card. We confirm details on email and WhatsApp within a day.
Last updated · May 2026
When you book a demo or sign up for classes, we collect your name, your child's name, email, WhatsApp number, time zone, and the grade you're inquiring about. That's it. We don't ask for or store any payment details on this website. We don't use trackers, cookies for advertising, or third-party analytics that profile you.
Only to schedule and run your classes, send you class reminders, share homework and progress, and answer your questions. We'll reach out by email or WhatsApp, depending on what you tell us works better for you.
Your teacher, and the small team supporting them at ClassArc. We never sell, rent, or share your information with anyone outside ClassArc. We use Web3Forms to receive form submissions, and standard email and WhatsApp for messaging, nothing else.
We treat any information about your child with extra care. We only collect what we need to teach them well, such as their grade and what they're working on. We never use a child's photo, name, or work in any marketing without the parent's explicit written permission.
You can ask us to show you what we have on file, correct anything inaccurate, or delete your data entirely, at any time. Just email hello@theclassarc.com and we'll handle it within a few days.
Email hello@theclassarc.com. A real person will reply.
Last updated · May 2026
ClassArc is a one-on-one online tutoring service. We provide live, scheduled classes between a teacher and a student, along with homework, feedback, and study support.
Each class is 55 minutes. You can reschedule or cancel a class up to 5 minutes before it starts. If you miss a class without notice, we usually credit it back to your balance and reschedule based on what works for the teacher and student.
The first demo class is free, no card required. After that, plans are billed in advance for the number of classes you choose (8, 24, or ~48). We'll send you a payment link directly once you've picked a plan.
If you want to stop classes at any point, we refund whatever class balance is left on your plan. No questions asked, no friction. Refunds are processed within 7 business days.
We expect students and parents to treat teachers with respect, and teachers to do the same. We reserve the right to end the relationship if classes become unsafe, abusive, or disruptive, with a full refund of any unused balance.
If we update these terms, we'll email you before the changes take effect, so you have time to review them.
For anything, email hello@theclassarc.com.