A Level Mathematics (Cambridge 9709)9709
4 papers250 marks6 h 10 min
What we predict comes up
From the syllabus weighting and how the papers are usually set. The papers below follow it.
- Differentiation and integration20%Our estimate: differentiation and integration are the largest content areas of both pure papers (about 26 of 75 marks on Paper 1 and 24 of 75 on Paper 3), and fill the long questions near the end.
- Mechanics20%Paper 4 is 50 of the 250 A Level marks (20%) in the syllabus; forces, Newton's laws, energy and power, momentum and variable acceleration kinematics share it.
- Probability and statistics20%Paper 5 is 50 of the 250 marks (20%) in the syllabus; the normal distribution, binomial and geometric, permutations and data usually take a question or two each.
- Vectors and complex numbers8%Our estimate: Paper 3 almost always has one vectors question on lines in three dimensions and one complex numbers question, about 10 marks each.
Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1
1 h 50 min · 75 marks · Calculator allowed
- Answer all questions.
- You should use a calculator where appropriate.
- You must show all necessary working clearly; no marks will be given for unsupported answers from a calculator.
- Give non-exact numerical answers correct to 3 significant figures, or 1 decimal place for angles in degrees, unless a different level of accuracy is specified in the question.
- The total mark for this paper is 75. The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets.
Answer or mark a question and your score adds up here.
11 questions
Every paper, every question, the answers and the mark scheme. Free with a Knomi account.
Not included: This is the Paper 1, 3, 4 and 5 route; Paper 2 (AS Pure Mathematics 2) and Paper 6 (Probability & Statistics 2) are the alternative options and are not written here.
A Level Mathematics (Cambridge 9709) study checklist
Revise in this order: the topics worth the most marks first. Tick a topic off when you can answer its questions in the paper above without notes.
- Differentiation and integration · about 20% of the marksOur estimate: differentiation and integration are the largest content areas of both pure papers (about 26 of 75 marks on Paper 1 and 24 of 75 on Paper 3), and fill the long questions near the end.
- Mechanics · about 20% of the marksPaper 4 is 50 of the 250 A Level marks (20%) in the syllabus; forces, Newton's laws, energy and power, momentum and variable acceleration kinematics share it.
- Probability and statistics · about 20% of the marksPaper 5 is 50 of the 250 marks (20%) in the syllabus; the normal distribution, binomial and geometric, permutations and data usually take a question or two each.
- Vectors and complex numbers · about 8% of the marksOur estimate: Paper 3 almost always has one vectors question on lines in three dimensions and one complex numbers question, about 10 marks each.
- Coordinate geometry and circular measure · about 7% of the marksOur estimate: Paper 1 usually has a circle or straight line question and a circular measure question, about 18 of its 75 marks together.
- Trigonometry · about 7% of the marksOur estimate: an identity and equation on Paper 1 and a harmonic form (R cos) or double angle question on Paper 3 appear in most sittings.
- Quadratics, functions and algebra · about 6% of the marksOur estimate: quadratics and functions (completing the square, inverse and composite functions, the discriminant) on Paper 1, and a modulus inequality on Paper 3.
- Logarithms, numerical methods and differential equations · about 6% of the marksOur estimate: an exponential equation, an iteration question and a separable differential equation make up about 16 of Paper 3's 75 marks.
- Series · about 5% of the marksOur estimate: a binomial expansion and an arithmetic or geometric progression question on Paper 1, about 13 of its 75 marks.
Questions
What topics come up most in A Level Mathematics (Cambridge 9709)?
Our prediction: Differentiation and integration (about 20% of the marks), Mechanics (about 20% of the marks), Probability and statistics (about 20% of the marks). The full list with the reason for each is at the top of this page.
When is the A Level Mathematics (Cambridge 9709) exam?
A Level is sat May to June; Cambridge also sits October to November, and February to March in India. Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge International publishes the exact timetable for each sitting; check it for your paper's date.
How many papers are there, and how long are they?
4 papers: Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1 (1 hour 50 minutes, 75 marks); Paper 3: Pure Mathematics 3 (1 hour 50 minutes, 75 marks); Paper 4: Mechanics (1 hour 15 minutes, 50 marks); Paper 5: Probability & Statistics 1 (1 hour 15 minutes, 50 marks). That is 6 hours 10 minutes and 250 marks in all.
Can I use a calculator?
In this format a calculator is allowed in every paper. Check your board's current rules before the exam.
Are these the real A Level Mathematics (Cambridge 9709) papers?
No. They are predicted papers written by us in the real format, with original questions, not copies of past papers. Use them alongside the official past papers and specimen papers from Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge International.
Is it free?
Yes. The outline, the predictions and the first questions are open to everyone; every paper, the answers and the mark scheme are free with a Knomi account.
More A Level subjects
Mathematics (Cambridge 9709) on other boards
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