The right MYP Maths tutor teaches the mathematics your child is studying and the reasoning, communication and modelling skills that MYP criteria B, C and D reward. Many students are confident with routine questions but lose marks when asked to find patterns, explain their thinking or apply maths to a real situation. This guide explains how to choose a tutor who covers all four criteria, with notes for Hong Kong families.

Written by Tutopiya, an online tutoring company. The checklist applies to any tutor.

Key takeaways

• MYP Maths is assessed against four criteria: knowing and understanding, investigating patterns, communicating, and applying maths in real-life contexts.
• Criteria B, C and D reward reasoning and explanation, not just correct answers.
• In MYP 4–5, standard vs extended maths affects DP options; algebra is usually the deciding skill.
• If your school takes part in eAssessment, MYP 5 includes an on-screen maths exam.

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How is MYP Maths assessed?

MYP Maths uses four criteria, each scored 0–8, combined into a grade from 1 to 7.

Criterion	What it assesses	What students often miss
A: Knowing and understanding	Solving problems in familiar and unfamiliar situations	Choosing the right method for an unfamiliar question
B: Investigating patterns	Finding, describing and justifying patterns	Proving or verifying the general rule
C: Communicating	Mathematical language, notation and clear working	Explaining steps in words as well as symbols
D: Applying mathematics in real-life contexts	Modelling real situations and evaluating results	Checking whether the answer makes sense in context

The IB describes the programme on its Middle Years Programme pages.

What should an MYP Maths tutor teach?

An MYP Maths tutor should secure the core skills, then teach your child to reason and explain.

• Algebra: expressions, equations, inequalities and functions.
• Number and geometry: ratios, trigonometry and measurement.
• Statistics and probability: data displays and interpreting results.
• Pattern investigations: from examples to a general rule, then verification.
• Real-life modelling: making assumptions, building a model and evaluating it.
• Communication: notation, structured working and concise explanation.

Browse MYP Maths tutors in Hong Kong or all IB MYP tutors.

Standard or extended MYP maths?

Extended maths covers more content and is often recommended for students heading to DP Maths AA, especially HL.

	Standard MYP maths	Extended MYP maths
Content	Core mathematics	Core plus additional, more abstract topics
Typical DP pathway	Maths AI, or AA SL	Maths AA SL or HL
Key skill gap	Confidence with core algebra	Fluency with functions and abstract reasoning

The school decides placement, but a tutor can help close gaps in algebra and functions before the decision.

How to choose an MYP Maths tutor

1. Collect recent criterion scores and teacher comments.
2. Identify the weakest criterion; it is often B or D.
3. Ask the tutor how they teach pattern investigations and modelling.
4. Book a trial lesson using a recent task.
5. Discuss standard vs extended and future DP plans.
6. Include eAssessment practice in MYP 5 if relevant.

Preparing for DP Maths

MYP 4–5 is the best time to build the algebra and reasoning DP Maths relies on. If your child is heading for the Diploma, our guide to choosing an IB Maths tutor explains the difference between AA and AI, which is the key choice at the start of DP.

Notes for Hong Kong families

MYP Maths is common in Hong Kong’s international schools, and many families look for help before MYP 5 eAssessment and DP subject choices.

• Online lessons in Hong Kong time avoid travel and fit around activities.
• Language of maths: students who learned maths in Chinese earlier may need help with English mathematical vocabulary for criterion C.
• Moving from the local curriculum: students joining an MYP school from a local school are often strong in calculation but new to criteria B and D.

For more on local options, read our guide to IB tuition options in Hong Kong.

What should the first lesson look like?

A good first lesson takes a recent criterion B or D task and shows your child how to explain their reasoning. The tutor might turn a list of calculations into a justified general rule, or add an evaluation of whether a model’s answer is realistic. Your child should leave knowing exactly what to do differently on the next task.

What you get with Tutopiya

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online MYP Maths tutoring.

• A tutor matched to your child’s MYP year and level.
• A free trial lesson with no card required.
• You choose the tutor and see the rate up front; plans start from 4 hours a month per subject.
• Lessons in Hong Kong time.
• AI lesson analysis, with notes, flashcards and quiz questions from each lesson.

See our MYP curriculum page and our subjects and curricula page.

Common mistakes

• Practising only routine questions → include pattern and modelling tasks.
• Answers without explanation → write reasoning in words for criterion C.
• Patterns without verification → test and justify the general rule.
• Models without evaluation → check whether results make sense.
• Weak algebra going into MYP 5 → fix it before extended maths and DP.

Talk to us

For more on the programme, read our ultimate guide to the IB MYP. For a recommendation, contact our team.

Summary: choose an MYP Maths tutor who secures algebra, teaches reasoning for criteria B to D, and prepares your child for extended maths, eAssessment and DP Maths.

Frequently asked questions

How is MYP Mathematics assessed? +

MYP Mathematics uses four criteria: A, knowing and understanding; B, investigating patterns; C, communicating; and D, applying mathematics in real-life contexts. Each is scored from 0 to 8, and the totals are combined into an MYP grade from 1 to 7.

What is the difference between MYP standard and extended maths? +

In MYP 4 and 5, many schools offer standard and extended mathematics. Extended covers additional, more abstract content and is often recommended for students planning DP Maths Analysis and Approaches, especially at HL. Your child's school decides the level.

Why do MYP students struggle with criteria B and D? +

Criterion B asks students to find and justify patterns, and criterion D asks them to model real situations. Both require explaining reasoning, not just calculating. Students who are good at routine questions often lose marks here.

Can a tutor help my child move to extended maths? +

Yes, if the gap is in specific topics such as algebra, functions or trigonometry. A tutor can target those topics and build the reasoning skills extended maths expects. The school makes the final placement decision.

Does Tutopiya offer MYP Maths tutors in Hong Kong? +

Yes. Tutopiya offers one-to-one online MYP Maths tutoring in Hong Kong time. The first trial lesson is free with no card required, and plans start from 4 hours a month per subject.

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