How Many A Level Maths Papers Are There?

If you’re planning your A Level Maths revision, you're probably wondering exactly how many exam papers you'll need to tackle. The good news is that the structure is pretty straightforward once you know what you're dealing with.

Most A Level Maths courses consist of three exam papers, though this can vary slightly between exam boards. The papers are categorised into Pure Mathematics, Statistics, and Mechanics, and each one tests different areas of your mathematical knowledge.

There’s no need to wonder how many A Level Maths papers there are any more because our article will guide you gently through everything you need to know so you can plan your revision like a pro.

Key Takeaways

• Most exam boards use 3 papers: these cover pure maths and applied maths.

• All papers are equally weighted: each counts for roughly one-third of your final grade.

• The coverage is similar across boards: However the structure of the papers vary.

• A Level Maths is a linear qualification: all exams are taken at the end of Year 13 (apart from WJEC where you take two exams at the end of Year 12), with no coursework components

A Level Maths Assessment Structure Explained

A Level Maths is what's called a linear qualification. This means you'll sit all your exams at the end of Year 13, instead of spreading them across two years.

Your course covers three main mathematical areas:

• Pure Mathematics forms the largest chunk, typically making up about two-thirds of your total marks.

• Statistics introduces you to data analysis, probability, and hypothesis testing. You'll work with real-world scenarios and learn how to interpret statistical information.

• Mechanics covers the physics side of maths so it gets a bit science-y. You’ll be looking at forces, motion, and projectiles. This is where maths meets the physical world.

How Many Exam Papers Are There in A Level Maths?

The standard structure across most exam boards is three written papers, and each paper lasts between 1 hour 45 mins and 2 hours 30 mins, depending on your exam board.

These papers are designed to test your knowledge comprehensively. You can't pick and choose the papers you take. They are all compulsory for your A Level qualification.

Adding all the papers together, the total examination time is typically around 4.5 to 6 hours. That might sound a tad daunting, but remember - you've got two full years to prepare and this is split over three papers. The WJEC exam papers are a little different but we’ll go through this below.

Breakdown by Exam Board

Edexcel 

Edexcel is one of the most popular exam boards, so it makes sense to start here. The structure of their papers (opens in a new tab) is clean and straightforward:

Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1 covers algebra, coordinate geometry, sequences and series, differentiation, and integration. It's worth 100 marks and lasts 2 hours.

Paper 2: Pure Mathematics 2 continues with more pure topics including trigonometry, exponentials and logarithms, and further calculus techniques. This paper is also 100 marks and lasts 2 hours.

Paper 3: Statistics and Mechanics splits into sections A and B. Section A covers statistics and Section B tests your mechanics knowledge. You'll tackle 50 marks of statistics and 50 marks of mechanics in 2 hours.

All three papers carry equal weighting in your final grade. Papers 1 and 2 together cover the complete Pure Mathematics content, while Paper 3 gives you that much-needed applied mathematics experience.

AQA

The AQA exam papers (opens in a new tab) follow a similar pattern to Edexcel, although the coverage is split differently between each paper:

Paper 1: Pure Mathematics focuses on algebraic and calculus-based topics. It's worth 100 marks over 2 hours.

Paper 2: Pure Mathematics and Mechanics covers the remaining pure content, including trigonometry and further integration techniques alongside Mechanics elements such as forces and Newton’s laws. This paper is worth another 100 marks and lasts 2 hours.

Paper 3: Pure Mathematics and Statistics combines both of these pure maths and statistics, and wants you to apply mathematical concepts. You'll have 2 hours to tackle 100 marks in total.

OCR

OCR offers two different Mathematics specifications, but their main H240 specification (opens in a new tab) uses this assessment format:

Paper 1: Pure Mathematics covers core algebraic and calculus topics. Worth 100 marks over 2 hours.

Paper 2: Pure Mathematics and Statistics combines pure topics with statistical methods. This is worth 100 marks over 2 hours.

Paper 3: Pure Mathematics and Mechanics blends pure mathematics with mechanical applications. Another 100 marks over 2 hours.

WJEC

WJEC (opens in a new tab) (used mainly in Wales) structures their papers slightly differently. The first two papers are taken at AS Level, and all four papers must be completed to achieve the A Level Maths qualification.

Paper 1: Pure Mathematics A covers fundamental pure topics. It's worth 120 marks over 2 hours 30 minutes.

Paper 2: Applied Mathematics A is split into two sections. Section A covers statistics (40 marks) and Section B covers mechanics (35 marks) over 1 hour 45 minutes.

Paper 3: Pure Mathematics B covers pure topics, is worth 125 marks, and must be completed in 2 hours 30 minutes.

Paper 4: Applied Mathematics B focuses entirely on applied content. Section A is worth 40 marks and tests your knowledge of statistics and Section B is worth 40 marks, testing your understanding and application of differential equations and mechanics. This paper is worth a total of 80 marks over 1 hour 45 minutes.

Some WJEC papers are notably longer than other exam boards, giving you more time to show your working and thinking.

What Does Each A Level Maths Paper Cover?

Understanding what's actually tested in each paper helps you plan your revision effectively. The coverage is similar across exam boards.

Pure Mathematics topics appear across multiple papers and include algebra, functions, coordinate geometry, sequences and series, trigonometry, exponentials and logarithms, differentiation, integration, numerical methods, and vectors.

Statistics content covers statistical sampling, data presentation and interpretation, probability, statistical distributions, statistical hypothesis testing, and correlation and regression analysis.

Mechanics focuses on kinematics (motion in a straight line and projectile motion), forces and Newton's laws, moments and equilibrium, and work, energy and power.

One of the key aspects of A Level Maths is seeing how these topics connect. For example, you might find yourself using calculus (pure maths) to solve a mechanics problem, or applying statistical methods to real-world data.

5 Tips for Preparing for A Level Maths Papers

1. Start revision early and review topics throughout the year. Maths knowledge builds on itself, so keeping earlier topics fresh in your mind is crucial to learn the more challenging stuff later on.

2. Practice interpreting real-world contexts, especially in Statistics and Mechanics papers. These questions often trip students up because they require you to translate everyday situations into mathematical language and apply what you’ve learned to real-life problems.

3. Complete full past papers under timed conditions. This builds your exam stamina and helps you manage time across different question types.

4. Use mark schemes wisely. They show you exactly what examiners are looking for and help you understand common errors to avoid.

5. Focus on showing your working clearly. Even if your final answer is wrong, you can still pick up method marks if your approach is sound.

Tip: Don't neglect any of the three maths areas. Your weakest paper will drag down your overall grade, so aim for consistent performance across pure, statistics, and mechanics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all A Level Maths papers compulsory?

Yes, absolutely. You must sit all papers offered by your exam board to achieve your A Level Maths qualification. There are no optional papers or alternative routes.

You cannot substitute one paper for another or focus only on areas you prefer. The three-paper structure ensures you have a complete mathematical education.

Do the papers have equal weighting?

Yes, each paper contributes equally to your final A Level grade. Whether you're brilliant at Pure Maths or excel in Applied topics, each paper counts for roughly one-third of your total marks.

This equal weighting means you cannot afford to neglect any single paper. A poor performance on one paper will significantly impact your overall grade. So, identify weak areas early on and try to shape your revision around them.

Can I resit individual A Level Maths papers?

Unfortunately, no you can’t. A Level Maths uses linear assessment, which means you must resit all papers if you want to improve your grade.

You cannot pick and choose which papers to retake. If you're not happy with your results, you'll need to commit to resitting the entire qualification.

This makes it even more important to prepare thoroughly for all three papers in your first attempt.

Which A Level Maths papers allow calculators?

Calculator policies vary between exam boards, but generally, yes calculators can be used in all papers. 

However, always check your specific exam board's calculator policy, as rules can change. Your teacher will provide definitive guidance on what's allowed for each paper. Also, some exam boards specify particular calculator models or features that are permitted, so make sure you're familiar with any restrictions well before your exams.

Next Steps

Now you should have a clear idea of what the different A level Maths papers cover across the exam boards. With this in mind, why not make the most of Save My Exams revision notes, flashcards, and past papers to strengthen your knowledge and practise your skills? Then, you’ll be prepared to step into your A Level Maths exams with confidence.

References

Edexcel A Level Mathematics Specification (opens in a new tab)

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

OCR A Level Mathematics Specification (opens in a new tab)

WJEC A Level Mathematics Specification (opens in a new tab)