How Many A Level Further Maths Papers Are There?

Trying to figure out how many exams you'll actually sit for A Level Further Maths? It can feel confusing when everyone seems to give you a different answer.

You've probably heard "four papers" thrown around, but what does that actually mean? Which topics do they cover? And does the number change depending on which exam board you're with?

Don't worry. This guide breaks down exactly how many A Level Further Maths papers you'll sit, what each one tests, and how the structure differs across exam boards. Here at Save My Exams we've helped thousands of students ace their exams with resources that are 100% aligned to their specific course. I have created this guide to give you the clarity you need to plan your revision properly.

Key Takeaways

• Full A Level Further Maths typically requires 4 papers under current specifications, though the exact structure varies by exam board

• AS Level Further Maths requires 2 papers – usually one pure and one applied

• Edexcel students sit 2 compulsory Core Pure papers plus 2 optional applied papers from choices like Further Pure, Further Statistics, Further Mechanics, or Decision Maths

• The structure differs significantly between exam boards, so it's essential to know which board you're studying with

What is A Level Further Maths?

A Level Further Maths is an advanced qualification that goes beyond standard A Level Maths.

It's designed for students who love maths and want to explore more challenging topics. Most universities recommend it (or even require it) for degrees in maths, physics, engineering, and computer science.

The course builds directly on what you learn in A Level Maths. You'll study more complex pure maths topics like matrices and complex numbers, plus deeper applied maths in mechanics, statistics, or discrete maths.

Most students take A Level Maths and Further Maths at the same time. Further Maths isn't a standalone qualification; it relies on the foundation you're building in regular A Level Maths.

For more info about A Level Further Maths courses and topics see our detailed article.

How many papers do you sit for A Level Further Maths?

Here's the straightforward answer: you'll usually sit 4 papers for the full A Level.

For AS Level Further Maths, you'll sit 2 papers.

But (and this is important) the exact structure depends on your exam board. Each board organises these papers differently, with different combinations of pure and applied content.

Let's break down how each major exam board structures their exams.

A Level Further Maths paper structure by exam board

Edexcel (Pearson)

Edexcel is one of the most popular exam boards for Further Maths. Under the (opens in a new tab)current specification (opens in a new tab), you'll sit 4 papers in total.

Core Pure papers (compulsory)

You must sit two Core Pure papers:

• Paper 1: Core Pure Mathematics 1 (Paper code: 9FM0/01)

• Paper 2: Core Pure Mathematics 2 (Paper code: 9FM0/02)

Each paper is 1 hour 30 minutes long and worth 75 marks.

These papers cover the essential pure maths content like complex numbers, matrices, proof by induction, vectors, and polar coordinates. You'll answer all questions on each paper, and calculators are allowed.

Optional papers (choose 2)

Alongside your Core Pure papers, you'll choose 2 optional papers from the following options:

• Further Pure Mathematics 1

• Further Pure Mathematics 2

• Further Statistics 1

• Further Statistics 2

• Further Mechanics 1

• Further Mechanics 2

• Decision Mathematics 1

• Decision Mathematics 2

Each optional paper is also 1 hour 30 minutes and worth 75 marks.

Your school will help you choose which options to take. Most schools offer specific combinations based on their teaching staff and what works best for university progression. Popular combinations include Further Mechanics and Further Statistics, or Further Pure and Decision Maths.

Important note: There are restrictions on which papers can be taken together, making ten different possible option pairs in total. In particular, you can’t take the ‘2’ version of an option without also doing the ‘1’ version.

All four papers contribute equally to your final grade, and you must sit all exams in the same May/June exam series.

AQA

AQA structures their A Level Further Maths with 4 papers under the (opens in a new tab)current specification (opens in a new tab).

Pure papers (mandatory)

You'll sit two compulsory pure papers:

• Paper 1: Core Pure Content

• Paper 2: Core Pure Content

Each paper is 2 hours long and worth 100 marks (33⅓% of the A Level each).

Paper 1 and Paper 2 can assess any content from the core pure topics, including proof, complex numbers, matrices, further algebra and functions, further calculus, further vectors, polar coordinates, hyperbolic functions, differential equations, and numerical methods.

Optional papers (choose 2 applications)

You must study two optional applications from:

• Mechanics

• Statistics

• Discrete Mathematics

Paper 3 assesses your chosen two optional applications. It's 2 hours long and worth 100 marks (33⅓% of the A Level).

The paper contains separate sections for each of your chosen applications. You'll answer questions from both sections.

Available combinations include:

• Mechanics and Statistics

• Mechanics and Discrete

• Statistics and Discrete

At qualification level, different grade boundaries are published to reflect the different routes through the qualification.

OCR A

OCR A structures their Further Maths with 4 papers in total under the current specification (opens in a new tab).

Core Pure papers (compulsory)

You must take two compulsory Core Pure papers:

• Paper 1: Core Pure Mathematics 1 (Y410/01)

• Paper 2: Core Pure Mathematics 2 (Y411/01)

These papers cover essential pure maths content including proof, complex numbers, matrices, calculus, and vectors.

Optional papers (choose 2)

You'll also choose 2 optional papers from:

• Statistics (Y542/01)

• Mechanics (Y543/01)

• Discrete Mathematics (Y544/01)

• Additional Pure Mathematics (Y545/01)

Each paper will test you on topics from your chosen option.

All papers are 1 hour 30 minutes. Each is worth 75 marks and contributes 25% to your overall grade.

OCR B (MEI)

OCR B (MEI) offers a slightly different structure with 4 papers, but includes some unique features under the (opens in a new tab)current specification (opens in a new tab).

Core Pure paper (mandatory)

You must take:

• Core Pure Mathematics (Y420/01)

This mandatory paper counts for 50% of the qualification and covers all the essential pure maths content. The paper is 2 hours 40 minutes, and contains 144 raw marks (180 scaled marks).

Route-based structure

MEI uses a route system. You must choose one of three routes:

Route A: Core Pure + Mechanics Major + one other optional minor paper (not Mechanics Minor)

Route B: Core Pure + Statistics Major + one other optional minor paper (not Statistics Minor)

Route C: Core Pure + three optional minor papers

Optional papers include:

• Mechanics Major (Y421/01) — counts for 33⅓%

• Statistics Major (Y422/01) — counts for 33⅓%

• Mechanics Minor (Y431/01) — counts for 16⅔%

• Statistics Minor (Y432/01) — counts for 16⅔%

• Modelling with Algorithms Minor (Y433/01) — counts for 16⅔%

• Numerical Methods Minor (Y434/01) — counts for 16⅔%

• Extra Pure Minor (Y435/01) — counts for 16⅔%

• Further Pure with Technology Minor (Y436/01) — counts for 16⅔%

Each Major Option paper is 2 hours 15 minutes and contains 120 raw marks (120 scaled marks). Each Minor Option paper is 1 hour 15 minutes (except Y436 which is 1 hour 45 minutes) and contains 60 raw marks (60 scaled marks).

The MEI specification is known for its flexible structure. It allows students to specialise deeply in one application area or explore multiple topics.

AS Level Further Maths: how many papers?

The AS Level version typically includes 2 papers.

You'll usually sit one pure paper and one applied paper (covering mechanics, statistics, or another application).

For example:

• Edexcel AS Further Maths (opens in a new tab): 1 Core Pure paper plus 1 optional paper

• AQA AS Further Maths (opens in a new tab): Similar structure with reduced content

• OCR A AS Further Maths (opens in a new tab): 2 papers covering core and optional content

• OCR B (MEI) AS Further Maths (opens in a new tab): Typically 2 papers from the available options

Remember, AS Level is a standalone qualification. Your AS grades don't count toward your full A Level if you continue studying. You'll need to sit the full 4 A Level papers in Year 13.

What content is covered in each paper?

Let's break down what you'll actually be answering questions about.

Pure Maths content

Core Pure maths papers cover advanced abstract topics:

• Complex numbers — working with imaginary numbers, Argand diagrams, and modulus-argument form

• Matrices — operations, transformations, and solving systems of equations

• Proof — mathematical induction and formal reasoning

• Polar coordinates — representing points and curves in a different coordinate system

• Further calculus — techniques like volumes of revolution and implicit differentiation

• Hyperbolic functions — similar to trigonometric functions but with different properties

• Differential equations — solving first and second-order differential equations

Mechanics content

Mechanics papers focus on forces and motion, including:

• Momentum and impulse — in 1D and 2D

• Work, energy and power — conservation of energy principles

• Elastic strings & springs — motion of objects attached to springs and solutions to the corresponding differential equations

• Elastic collisions — in 1D and 2D

The precise content depends on which course and which Mechanics option(s) you are taking.

Statistics content

Statistics papers explore probability and data analysis:

• Probability distributions — Poisson, binomial, normal, and exponential distributions

• Probability generating functions — a powerful new tool for analysing probabilities

• Central limit theorem  — a key result for the study of Statistics

• Hypothesis testing — testing claims about populations

The precise content depends on which course and which Statistics option(s) you are taking.

Discrete/Decision Maths content

Decision papers cover algorithms and problem-solving:

• Graph theory — networks, trees, and connectivity

• Algorithms — sorting and bin-packing algorithms, as well as Dijkstra's, Kruskal's, and Prim's algorithms on graphs

• Linear programming — optimisation problems

• Critical path analysis — project planning and scheduling

The precise content depends on which course and which Decision option(s) you are taking.

How the papers are assessed and weighted

Each of your Further Maths papers contributes to your overall grade.

For Edexcel and OCR A, each of the four exam papers is weighted equally at 25% of your final grade.

However, AQA and OCR B (MEI) are different. 

In AQA, the two Core Pure papers are each worth 33⅓%, and the combined Options paper contributes the other 33⅓%.

In OCR B (MEI), the Core Pure paper counts for 50%, with the remaining Options papers making up the other 50% depending on your chosen route.

Your raw marks from each paper are combined, and grade boundaries are applied to determine your final grade (A*, A, B, C, etc.).

Different optional combinations may have slightly different grade boundaries. This ensures fairness between students who took different routes through the qualification.

Tips for preparing for each paper

Different Further Maths courses include different ranges of topics and different question styles. For the Further Maths students I have worked with, though, the following revision tips have proved very useful.

Pure papers

• Focus on building strong algebraic foundations

• Complex numbers can feel abstract at first, so practice visualising them on Argand diagrams

• Work through matrix operations step-by-step until they become second nature

• Proof by induction follows a clear pattern — learn the structure and apply it consistently

Mechanics papers

• Master your modelling skills

• You'll need to set up problems correctly before solving them – draw clear diagrams showing all forces and directions

• Practice resolving forces in different directions and setting up equations of motion – make sure you're comfortable vectors and force diagrams

Statistics papers

• Review your probability distributions thoroughly – know when to use each distribution and what their parameters mean

• Your calculator will be essential — learn all its statistical functions

• Hypothesis testing follows clear steps – learn the process and practice writing clear conclusions in context

Decision papers

• Focus on understanding algorithms step-by-step – don't just memorise them, understand why each step works

• Practice working through questions methodically

• Graph theory questions often have clear methods – learn to spot which algorithm or technique applies to each problem type

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose which optional papers to take?

Not always.

Your school decides which optional papers they'll offer based on their teachers' expertise and resources. Most schools offer 2-3 combinations that work well together.

If you have strong preferences (for example, you want to focus on mechanics for an engineering degree), talk to your teacher early. They might be able to accommodate your needs or suggest alternative arrangements.

Is Further Maths harder than A Level Maths?

Yes, definitely.

Further Maths is more abstract and moves much faster. The content is deeper and requires stronger problem-solving skills.

Topics like complex numbers and matrices are completely new. Applied topics go far beyond A Level Maths in complexity.

However, if you enjoy maths and are doing well in A Level Maths, you'll likely find Further Maths rewarding rather than overwhelming. It's challenging, but manageable with good study habits.

Read our article Is A Level Further Maths Hard for more.

Can I take Further Maths without A Level Maths?

No, you can't.

A Level Maths is a corequisite for Further Maths. This means you must study both at the same time.

Further Maths builds directly on A Level Maths content. You'll need the foundation from Maths to understand Further Maths topics.

Most students take both qualifications simultaneously over two years.

Final thoughts

Understanding your exam structure early makes all the difference.

Knowing how many papers you'll sit helps you plan your revision strategically. You can allocate time to each paper based on its weighting and your confidence level.

Make sure you're clear on which optional papers you're taking. Check with your teacher if you're unsure.

Use past papers to familiarise yourself with question styles for each paper type. This is one of the most effective revision strategies.

Start your preparation early, focus on understanding concepts deeply, and practice regularly. With the right approach, you'll build the confidence and skills to succeed in every paper.

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A Level Further Maths resources

References

• Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics Specification (opens in a new tab)

• AQA A-Level Further Mathematics Specification (opens in a new tab)

• OCR AS and A Level Further Mathematics A Specification (opens in a new tab)

• OCR A Level Further Mathematics B (MEI) Specification (opens in a new tab)