A method and system for analyzing a sample for an iterative information dependent acquisition cycle is disclosed, the method comprising performing an initial survey mass spectrum to generate a spectral peak list from the initial survey mass spectrum, applying threshold criteria to the spectral peak list to generate a threshold spectral peak list, performing a dependent MS/MS on the threshold peak list to obtain a plurality of mass spectra, and based on the plurality of mass spectra, determining exclusion criteria for a plurality of subsequent surveys. For each subsequent scan, the exclusion criteria are applied to generate a precursor list. The subsequent mass spectra for precursors that are common to previous IDA cycles are summed with spectra for the plurality of mass spectra from previous IDA cycles to obtain summed mass spectra.