MYP Mathematics: Before you walk in
At a glance
- MYP maths is assessed against four criteria (A to D), each marked from 0 to 8.
- Levels are not percentages. A 4 is not 4 out of 8: it's a solid result.
- A 1–7 grade comes from adding the four levels and using the IB's grade boundaries.
- Final levels reflect the most recent, most consistent work, not an average of the year.
- Each school builds its own plan from the IB framework, so ask about gaps early.
Prefer to watch? This article is a written version of the video (4:16).
What should parents know about MYP maths before parent night?
Before parent night, it helps to know six things about MYP maths. Read on for all of them, or jump straight to the one you need:
Parent night is short. You might only get ten minutes with your child's maths teacher, and it's easy to spend most of that time trying to decode a report full of letters and numbers out of 8.
So here are six things every parent should know about MYP maths before you walk in, and some good questions to ask while you're there. This article is about mathematics specifically. Other MYP subjects use the same assessment model, but the examples here are all from maths.
1 How is my child assessed in MYP maths?
Your child is assessed in four different areas, called criteria. Each one looks at a different side of being good at mathematics.
A student can be strong in one and still developing in another. A child who gets every calculation right can still find Criterion C hard if they rarely explain their steps. We have a separate article and video on each criterion (tap a card above) if you'd like more detail.
2 What do the MYP achievement levels mean?
This is the one that often worries parents the most. Each criterion is marked from 0 to 8, and it's tempting to read a 4 as 50%.
Level 4 = 4 out of 8
MYP assessment is criterion-related. The teacher reads your child's work and picks the written descriptor that fits it best. The number is a label for that description, not a percentage, and your child isn't being ranked against the rest of the class.
The levels come in pairs, called bands. Using Criterion A as an example:
Using Criterion ALevels 1–2
Simple problems
Levels 3–4
More complex problems in familiar situations
Levels 5–6
Challenging problems in familiar situations
Levels 7–8
Challenging problems in familiar and unfamiliar situations
So a 4 is a solid result, and a long way from 50%. The most useful part of a level is the feedback that comes with it: what your child is doing well, and the next step to move up a band.
How do levels become a 1–7 grade?
If your school reports a final grade from 1 to 7, it comes from adding the four criterion levels together and converting the total with the IB's grade boundaries.
An exampleYou can try this yourself with our MYP grade calculator: enter your child's four levels and it shows the 1–7 grade.
3 Are early MYP levels the final word?
No. The levels your child gets at the start of the year aren't necessarily the ones you'll see at the end.
When teachers decide a final level, they look at the patterns across the year, like steady improvement, and at consistency. So the most recent, most consistent work counts the most.
Final levels shouldn't be an average of the whole year, or rest on one single piece of work. If your child starts on a 3 and is regularly getting 5s by the end, the report should reflect the 5s.
4 Is there an adjustment period for students new to the MYP?
Yes. If your child is new to the MYP, expect an adjustment period. Three things tend to feel different at first:
The lessons
More discussion, group problem-solving and inquiry
The assessments
Investigate, explain, or apply maths to a real situation
The textbook
Concepts, context and investigations
The textbook is built around concepts, context and investigations, with less practice, practice, practice. For more on that, read our article on why MYP maths textbooks look so different.
A few lower levels in the first term are common while students figure out what each criterion is really asking them for. It's worth asking the teacher how your child is settling in, as well as what levels they've received.
5 Is there one MYP maths curriculum?
No. There's no single MYP curriculum out there. The MYP is a framework.
The IB sets out the topics to cover in MYP 1 to 3 and in MYP 4 and 5. Each school then builds its own scope and sequence: a plan of what's taught, and when. That's why two MYP schools can teach the same year group quite different things and both be on track.
Our article and video What does my child learn each year in MYP maths? goes into this in more detail.
6 What is Standard or Extended maths in MYP 4?
In MYP 4, many schools split students into Standard and Extended mathematics. Extended covers everything in Standard plus extra topics, and is the usual foundation for HL (higher level) maths in the Diploma Programme. Standard generally leads to SL (standard level).
What questions should I ask at parent night?
You don't need all of them. Pick two or three that fit your child.
- 1Which criterion is my child strongest in, and which one should they focus on?Where the next improvement is most likely to come from
- 2How is my child's written communication? Do they explain their reasoning?How they're doing in Criterion C, which many students underestimate
- 3Can you show me a piece of work and what would move it up a band?What the level descriptors look like in practice
- 4What topics are you covering this year, and is there anything they might have missed?Any gaps to fill early, especially after a school move
- 5Is there anything we can do at home to help?A practical next step from the person who knows your child's work best
In summary
MYP maths is assessed against four criteria, each from 0 to 8.
The levels describe what your child can do. They aren't percentages.
The most recent, consistent work counts the most.
| How is MYP maths assessed? | Against four criteria, each from 0 to 8, using the teacher's judgment of your child's work. |
|---|---|
| How is it different? | Levels describe achievement and aren't percentages. A 4 shows secure work on more complex, familiar problems. |
| Why does it matter at parent night? | Knowing the basics means you can spend the time on your child's next steps instead of decoding the report. |
Frequently asked questions
Is a level 4 out of 8 a fail in MYP maths?
No. MYP achievement levels are not percentages, so a 4 is not 4 out of 8 or 50%. Each level describes what the student can do. In Criterion A, a level 3-4 means the student can solve more complex problems in familiar situations, which is a solid result.
How is the MYP 1-7 grade worked out?
Schools that report a 1-7 grade add the four criterion levels together, giving a total out of 32, and convert that total with the IB's grade boundaries. For example, levels of 5, 4, 6 and 5 add up to 20, which falls in the 19-23 boundary for a grade 5. You can try it with the MYP Math Tutor grade calculator.
Is the final MYP level an average of the year?
No. The IB says final levels should not be worked out by averaging scores over the year or from one single piece of work. Teachers look at the evidence across the year, paying attention to patterns such as steady improvement and to consistency, so the most recent, consistent work counts the most.
Why did my child get lower levels when they started the MYP?
Students new to the MYP need time to adjust. Lessons involve more discussion, group problem-solving and inquiry, the textbook is built around concepts and investigations, and assessments ask students to investigate, explain or apply maths. A few lower levels in the first term are common while students learn what each criterion is asking for.
Is there one MYP maths curriculum for every school?
No. The MYP is a framework. The IB sets out the topics to cover in MYP 1 to 3 and in MYP 4 and 5, and each school builds its own scope and sequence: a plan of what is taught, and when. If your child has moved schools, ask the maths teacher or head of department what has been covered, so any gaps can be found early.
Read the video transcript
Hi, I'm Shannon from MYP Math Tutor. Parent night is short. You might only get 10 minutes with your child's math teacher, and it's easy to spend most of that time trying to decode a report full of letters and numbers out of eight. So here are six things every parent should know about MYP maths before you walk in, and some good questions to ask while you're there.
First, your child is assessed in four different areas, called criteria. Criterion A is knowing and understanding, Criterion B, investigating patterns, Criterion C, communicating, and Criterion D, applying mathematics in real-life contexts. A student can be strong in one and still developing in another. We have a separate video on each criterion if you'd like more detail.
Second, and this is the one that often worries parents the most, each criterion is marked from zero to eight. But what do these numbers mean? First of all, they aren't percentages. A four is not four out of eight. MYP assessment is criterion-related. The teacher reads your child's work and picks the written descriptor that fits it best. The levels come in pairs. So using Criterion A as an example, level 1-2 means that the child is solving simple problems. Level 3-4, more complex problems in familiar situations. Level 5-6, challenging problems. And level 7-8, challenging problems in both familiar and unfamiliar situations. So a four is a solid result and a long way from 50%.
If your school reports a final grade from one to seven, it comes from adding the four criterion levels together and converting the total with the IB's grade boundaries. You can try this yourself with the grade calculator on our website.
Third, the levels that your child gets at the start of the year aren't necessarily the ones that you'll see at the end. When teachers decide a final level, they look at the patterns across the year, like steady improvement and consistency. So the most recent, most consistent work counts the most. Final levels shouldn't be an average of the whole year. If your child starts on a three and is regularly getting fives by the end, the report should reflect fives.
Fourth, if your child is new to the MYP, expect an adjustment period. The lessons involve more discussion, group problem-solving and inquiry, and the assessments can ask them to explain or apply maths in different situations. The textbook is different too. It's built around concepts, context and investigations, with less practice, practice, practice. For more details on that, watch our video on why MYP textbooks look so different. A few lower levels in the first term are common, while students are figuring out what each criterion is really asking them for.
Fifth, there's no single MYP curriculum out there. The MYP is a framework. The IB sets out topics to cover in MYP 1 to 3, and also MYP 4 and 5. Each school then builds its own scope and sequence, a plan of what's taught and when. So if you're curious, or your child has moved from another school, ask the maths teacher or the head of department. If there are any gaps, it's much better to find them sooner rather than later.
Sixth, in MYP 4, many schools split students into Standard and Extended mathematics. Extended covers extra topics and is the usual foundation for higher level mathematics in the Diploma Programme. Standard generally leads to standard level in the Diploma Programme. If your child is in MYP 3 or 4, ask how the school decides who takes Extended.
So what are some good questions to ask? You don't need all of them, just pick two or three that fit your child. Which criterion is my child strongest in, and which one should they focus on? How is my child's written communication? Do they explain their reasoning? Can you show me a piece of work and what would move it up a band? What topics are you covering this year, and is there anything they might have missed? And of course, is there anything we can do at home to help?
To wrap up, MYP maths is assessed against four criteria, each from zero to eight. The levels describe what your child can do, they aren't percentages, and the most recent, consistent work counts the most. Knowing this means that you can spend parent night on your child's next steps.
Shannon Mellon
Shannon Mellon is a qualified IB educator who taught IB Mathematics at MYP and DP level at NAIS Dublin and the International School of Hamburg, and now leads business development at MYP Math Tutor.
The MYP Math Tutor team of 25+ qualified IB teachers, including examiners, department heads and an MYP coordinator, supports 200+ students at 100+ IB World Schools in 40+ countries, including Dwight School London, Western Academy of Beijing, the International School of Paris and GEMS Academy Dubai.
Sources: IB, MYP: From principles into practice; MYP Mathematics Guide (2021).
This work has been developed independently from and is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization.