In the European Baccalaureate system, mathematics teaching is structured progressively from S1 to S7, with each year building on the previous one in terms of depth, abstraction, and problem-solving ability. In the early years (S1, S2, and S3), students focus on establishing a solid foundation in arithmetic, basic algebra, geometry, and introductory data handling. The emphasis is on developing fluency with numerical operations and building confidence in mathematical reasoning.
In S4 and S5, students have a choice of doing either 4-periods or 6-periods (we will abbreviate these S4MA4 and S4MA6 and analogously for S5). Regardless of the choice, students begin to encounter more formal algebraic structures, functions, and foundational elements of geometry and statistics. Students expand their understanding of linear equations and learn about quadratic functions, basic probability, and early trigonometry, which prepare them for more advanced study. The programmes in S4MA4 and S4MA6 are not very different (a large majority of the topics are shared), yet S4MA6 has an additional 2 periods per week for more in-depth exploration of the same topics. S5MA4 and S5MA6 are already significantly different, though they have quite a few topics in common, the jump in level is considerably higher.
In S6 and S7, a new choice of intensity is taken (3 periods or 5 periods). Mathematics becomes more differentiated depending on the chosen level. At this stage, topics such as calculus, more advanced probability, vectors, and complex numbers are introduced or developed further. The focus shifts strongly toward analytical reasoning, modelling, and preparing students for final examinations and further studies. The final examination is a written baccalaureate exam.
An additional course called Advanced Mathematics is accessible from S6. This constitutes an additional 3 periods per week course, only accessible to students opting for S6 – 5 periods maths. In this course, some university-level topics are introduced to students, including formal reasoning, calculus, number theory, linear algebra, and more. The final examination is an oral exam, consisting of 20 minutes of preparation in a separate room and 20 minutes to present the solutions to given questions in front of their teacher and an external examiner.
