AS and A Level
Cambridge 9709 vs Edexcel IAL Maths
Both cover Pure Mathematics with Mechanics and Statistics routes. Cambridge uses fewer, fixed papers. Edexcel IAL splits the same stage into more units, including two pure papers at AS and two more at A2.
Cambridge syllabus 9709 for 2028, 2029 and 2030. Edexcel IAL Mathematics specification from 2018. Your centre chooses the route.
Exam pattern
Pick the route your centre entered. Highlighted cards are on that route. Dimmed cards stay openable, so you can still read a paper you are not sitting. At AS, Cambridge is two papers and Edexcel IAS Mathematics is three units. A full A Level is four Cambridge papers or six Edexcel units.
AS Mechanics. Cambridge sits Paper 1 and Paper 4. A2 is then Paper 3 and Paper 5 only: 9709 has no Mechanics 2, and Paper 4 cannot be combined with Paper 6. Edexcel IAS sits three units, because pure is split into P1 and P2 before M1.
AS Statistics. Cambridge sits Paper 1 and Paper 5. A2 is Paper 3 with either Paper 4 or Paper 6. Edexcel IAS: WMA11, WMA12 and WST01.
Cambridge pure-only AS is Paper 1 and Paper 2, and it cannot count towards A Level. Edexcel IAS Mathematics (cash-in XMA01) always includes one applications unit. International AS Pure Mathematics (XPM01) is a different award: P1, P2 and Further Pure 1.
Full A Level, mechanics with statistics. Cambridge: Papers 1, 3, 4 and 5. Edexcel: P1, P2, P3, P4, M1 and S1. Four Cambridge papers, six Edexcel units.
Full A Level, statistics pair. Cambridge: Papers 1, 3, 5 and 6. Edexcel: P1 to P4, S1 and S2. Paper 6 needs Paper 5. S2 needs S1.
Edexcel allows P1 to P4 with M1 and M2. Cambridge has no mechanics-only A Level: Paper 4 cannot be paired with Paper 6. The Cambridge mechanics route is the mixed set, Papers 1, 3, 4 and 5.
An allowed Edexcel pair: M1 and D1, plus P1 to P4. Cambridge 9709 has no Decision paper. WDM11 is January and June only, not October.
An allowed Edexcel pair: S1 and D1, plus P1 to P4. Cambridge 9709 has no Decision paper. WDM11 is January and June only, not October.
Cambridge International
9709
Paper 1 · Pure Mathematics 1On this route
- Weighting
- 60% of the AS Level. 30% of the A Level. Compulsory for both.
- Questions
- 10 to 12 structured questions.
- Calculator
- Scientific calculator expected, as on every 9709 paper. Graphical calculators, and calculators that do symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration, are not permitted. Show working. No marks for an unsupported calculator answer.
- Topics
- Quadratics. Functions. Coordinate geometry. Circular measure. Trigonometry. Series. Differentiation. Integration.
Paper 2 · Pure Mathematics 2On this route
- Weighting
- 40% of the AS Level. Not part of A Level.
- Questions
- 6 to 8 structured questions.
- Route
- AS pure-only. Cannot be carried forward to A Level. Cannot be taken in the same series as Paper 3.
- Calculator
- Scientific calculator expected, as on every 9709 paper. Graphical calculators, and calculators that do symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration, are not permitted. Show working. No marks for an unsupported calculator answer.
- Topics
- Algebra. Logarithmic and exponential functions. Trigonometry. Differentiation. Integration. Numerical solution of equations.
Paper 3 · Pure Mathematics 3On this route
- Weighting
- 30% of the A Level. Compulsory for A Level.
- Questions
- 9 to 11 structured questions.
- Calculator
- Scientific calculator expected, as on every 9709 paper. Graphical calculators, and calculators that do symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration, are not permitted. Show working. No marks for an unsupported calculator answer.
- Topics
- Algebra. Logarithmic and exponential functions. Trigonometry. Differentiation. Integration. Numerical solution of equations. Vectors. Differential equations. Complex numbers.
Paper 4 · MechanicsOn this route
- Weighting
- 40% of the AS Level. 20% of the A Level.
- Questions
- 6 to 8 structured questions.
- Route
- Cannot be combined with Paper 6.
- Calculator
- Scientific calculator expected, as on every 9709 paper. Graphical calculators, and calculators that do symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration, are not permitted. Show working. No marks for an unsupported calculator answer.
- Topics
- Forces and equilibrium. Kinematics of motion in a straight line. Momentum. Newton laws of motion. Energy, work and power.
Paper 5 · Probability & Statistics 1On this route
- Weighting
- 40% of the AS Level. 20% of the A Level. In both A Level routes, so compulsory for A Level.
- Questions
- 6 to 8 structured questions.
- Calculator
- Scientific calculator expected, as on every 9709 paper. Graphical calculators, and calculators that do symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration, are not permitted. Show working. No marks for an unsupported calculator answer.
- Topics
- Representation of data. Permutations and combinations. Probability. Discrete random variables. The normal distribution.
Paper 6 · Probability & Statistics 2On this route
- Weighting
- 20% of the A Level only.
- Questions
- 6 to 8 structured questions.
- Route
- A Level only, and only with Paper 5. Not with Paper 4.
- Calculator
- Scientific calculator expected, as on every 9709 paper. Graphical calculators, and calculators that do symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration, are not permitted. Show working. No marks for an unsupported calculator answer.
- Topics
- The Poisson distribution. Linear combinations of random variables. Continuous random variables. Sampling and estimation. Hypothesis tests.
Pearson Edexcel IAL
Mathematics
WMA11 · Pure Mathematics 1On this route
- Paper code
- WMA11/01
- Weighting
- One third of the IAS. One sixth of the IAL.
- Calculator
- Calculator allowed. It needs the usual scientific keys, including trigonometry in degrees and radians. It must not do symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or integration, and it must not store formulae or text.
- Topics
- Algebra and functions. Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane. Trigonometry. Differentiation. Integration.
WMA12 · Pure Mathematics 2On this route
- Paper code
- WMA12/01
- Weighting
- One third of the IAS. One sixth of the IAL.
- Calculator
- Calculator allowed. It needs the usual scientific keys, including trigonometry in degrees and radians. It must not do symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or integration, and it must not store formulae or text.
- Topics
- Proof. Algebra and functions. Coordinate geometry. Sequences and series. Exponentials and logarithms. Trigonometry. Differentiation. Integration.
WMA13 · Pure Mathematics 3On this route
- Paper code
- WMA13/01
- Weighting
- One sixth of the IAL. No IAS weighting. With P4, these units carry the A* rule.
- Calculator
- Calculator allowed. It needs the usual scientific keys, including trigonometry in degrees and radians. It must not do symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or integration, and it must not store formulae or text.
- Topics
- Algebra and functions. Trigonometry. Exponentials and logarithms. Differentiation. Integration. Numerical methods.
WMA14 · Pure Mathematics 4On this route
- Paper code
- WMA14/01
- Weighting
- One sixth of the IAL. A* needs at least 180 of the 200 uniform marks on P3 and P4 combined, plus a grade A overall.
- Calculator
- Calculator allowed. It needs the usual scientific keys, including trigonometry in degrees and radians. It must not do symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or integration, and it must not store formulae or text.
- Topics
- Proof. Algebra and functions. Coordinate geometry. Binomial expansion. Differentiation. Integration. Vectors.
WME01 · Mechanics 1On this route
- Paper code
- WME01/01
- Weighting
- One third of the IAS when it is the applications unit. One sixth of the IAL.
- Calculator
- Calculator allowed. It needs the usual scientific keys, including trigonometry in degrees and radians. It must not do symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or integration, and it must not store formulae or text.
- Topics
- Mathematical models in mechanics. Vectors in mechanics. Kinematics of a particle in a straight line. Dynamics of a particle in a straight line or plane. Statics of a particle. Moments.
WME02 · Mechanics 2On this route
- Paper code
- WME02/01
- Weighting
- One sixth of the IAL. Used when the applications pair is M1 and M2.
- Series
- January, June and October.
- Calculator
- Calculator allowed. It needs the usual scientific keys, including trigonometry in degrees and radians. It must not do symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or integration, and it must not store formulae or text.
- Topics
- Kinematics of a particle in a straight line or plane. Centres of mass. Work and energy. Collisions. Statics of rigid bodies.
WST01 · Statistics 1On this route
- Paper code
- WST01/01
- Weighting
- One third of the IAS when it is the applications unit. One sixth of the IAL.
- Calculator
- Calculator allowed. It needs the usual scientific keys, including trigonometry in degrees and radians. It must not do symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or integration, and it must not store formulae or text.
- Topics
- Mathematical models in probability and statistics. Representation and summary of data. Probability. Correlation and regression. Discrete random variables. Discrete distributions. The Normal distribution.
WST02 · Statistics 2On this route
- Paper code
- WST02/01
- Weighting
- One sixth of the IAL. Used when the applications pair is S1 and S2.
- Series
- January, June and October.
- Calculator
- Calculator allowed. It needs the usual scientific keys, including trigonometry in degrees and radians. It must not do symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or integration, and it must not store formulae or text.
- Topics
- The Binomial and Poisson distributions. Continuous random variables. Continuous distributions. Samples. Hypothesis tests.
WDM11 · Decision Mathematics 1On this route
- Paper code
- WDM11/01
- Weighting
- One third of the IAS if chosen there. One sixth of the IAL.
- Series
- January and June only. Not October.
- Calculator
- Calculator allowed. It needs the usual scientific keys, including trigonometry in degrees and radians. It must not do symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or integration, and it must not store formulae or text.
- Topics
- Algorithms. Algorithms on graphs. Critical path analysis. Linear programming.
How 9709 is graded
- AS grades are a to e. A Level grades are A* to E.
- AS can be staged and carried forward under the time limits in the Cambridge Handbook, or the A Level papers can be sat together.
- A formula list and statistical tables (MF19) are supplied. A ruler is expected. A protractor and compasses are not required.
- Every paper expects a scientific calculator. Unsupported answers from the calculator get no marks.
How IAL Mathematics is graded
- Cash-in XMA01 is the IAS (three units, grades A to E, uniform mark out of 300). Cash-in YMA01 is the IAL (six units, grades A* to E, uniform mark out of 600).
- Each unit is marked out of 75 and converted to a uniform mark out of 100. The six IAL units are equally weighted.
- A* needs a grade A overall (at least 480 of 600) and at least 180 of the 200 uniform marks on P3 and P4 together.
- A unit can be resat. The specification says that if a unit is resat more than once, the best unit result counts. A unit already cashed into an award stays locked to that award until the same cash-in is entered again.
- The Mathematical Formulae and Statistical Tables booklet is provided. All questions are compulsory.
Cambridge 9709 pathway: AS to A2
Two AS combinations continue to A Level. Statistics at AS leaves A2 open. Mechanics at AS locks it. Pure Mathematics 3 is in both A2 routes. The same paper sets can be sat in one series. These are the staged routes in the 9709 syllabus for 2028 to 2030.
Statistics at AS keeps A2 flexible: Paper 3, plus either Paper 6 or Paper 4. Not both applied papers.
Mechanics at AS locks A2 into Paper 3 with Paper 5 only. There is no further mechanics option, because 9709 has no Mechanics 2 paper.
AS papers on this choice
This ASNot this AS
Paper 1 · Pure Mathematics 1
This ASNot this AS
Paper 5 · Probability & Statistics 1
Not this AS. Mechanics at AS is Paper 4, with Paper 1.
This ASNot this AS
Paper 4 · Mechanics
Not this AS. Statistics at AS is Paper 5, with Paper 1.
A2 this choice opens
OpenLocked
Paper 3 · Pure Mathematics 3
Plus one applied paper. Open cards are allowed. Locked cards are not, for the reason on the card.
OpenLocked
Paper 6 · Probability & Statistics 2
Locked. Paper 4 cannot be combined with Paper 6, because Paper 6 needs Paper 5 first.
OpenLocked
Paper 4 · Mechanics
Locked. 9709 has no Mechanics 2, and this paper was already the AS paper.
OpenLocked
Paper 5 · Probability & Statistics 1
Locked. Paper 5 was already the AS paper. A2 adds Paper 6 or Paper 4, with Paper 3.
Topic comparison
Chips use the published headings, not a guess that two chapters are equal. "Only Cambridge" means the title is a 9709 heading and not a heading in the matching Edexcel Mathematics unit overview.
No topic matches that search. Clear the box or switch filter.
Algebra, functions, quadratics
Cambridge Paper 1 lists quadratics and functions. Edexcel P1 and P2 list algebra and functions. Same area of pure maths, different paper design.
Coordinate geometry
A Paper 1 heading on 9709. A P1, P2 and P4 heading on Edexcel, in the (x, y) plane.
Trigonometry
Named on 9709 Papers 1, 2 and 3 and on Edexcel P1, P2 and P3. The questions are not interchangeable.
Differentiation and integration
Both pure routes examine differentiation and integration. Cambridge concentrates A2 pure in Paper 3. Edexcel splits A2 pure across P3 and P4.
Exponentials and logarithms
Cambridge Papers 2 and 3. Edexcel P2 and P3. 9709 Paper 1 does not list logs as its own heading.
Sequences and series
Cambridge lists series on Paper 1. Edexcel lists sequences and series on P2, and binomial expansion as its own P4 heading.
Numerical methods
Cambridge calls this numerical solution of equations, on Papers 2 and 3. Edexcel lists numerical methods on P3.
Vectors in pure maths
A Cambridge Paper 3 heading. An Edexcel P4 heading. Not on the AS pure papers of either board.
Circular measure
A Cambridge Paper 1 heading (radians, arc length, sector area). Not a separate heading in the Edexcel P1 to P4 overview.
Complex numbers
A Cambridge Paper 3 heading. Not a heading in Edexcel Mathematics P1 to P4. Complex numbers are a Further Pure 1 heading on that specification.
Differential equations
A Cambridge Paper 3 heading. On the Edexcel specification, differential-equation headings are in Further Pure 2, not in Mathematics P1 to P4.
Proof
A named heading on Edexcel P2 and P4. Cambridge 9709 does not list Proof as its own content heading.
Kinematics in a straight line
Cambridge Paper 4 and Edexcel M1 both name kinematics of a particle moving in a straight line. M1 also allows a plane in the dynamics heading. M2 continues kinematics in a line or a plane.
Forces and statics
Cambridge Paper 4: forces and equilibrium. Edexcel M1: statics of a particle. Related headings, not the same paper.
Momentum
A Cambridge Paper 4 heading. Not a heading in the Edexcel M1 overview.
Energy, work and power
A Cambridge Paper 4 heading. Edexcel lists work and energy under M2, not under M1.
Vectors in mechanics and moments
Both are M1 headings. Cambridge Paper 4 does not use those titles. Its mechanics headings are forces and equilibrium, kinematics, momentum, Newton laws, and energy, work and power.
M2 mechanics headings
Centres of mass, collisions and statics of rigid bodies are M2 headings, used on the M1+M2 A Level route. They are not Paper 4 headings.
Data, probability, discrete variables, Normal
Cambridge Paper 5: representation of data, probability, discrete random variables, the normal distribution. Edexcel S1 uses those ideas under its own headings, including discrete distributions.
Poisson, continuous variables, hypothesis tests
Cambridge Paper 6 headings. Edexcel S2 headings (Binomial and Poisson, continuous distributions, samples, hypothesis tests). This is A2 statistics, not S1.
Permutations and combinations
A Cambridge Paper 5 heading. Not a separate heading in the Edexcel S1 overview.
Correlation and regression
A named S1 heading. Not a Cambridge Paper 5 or Paper 6 heading.
Decision Mathematics
Algorithms, algorithms on graphs, critical path analysis and linear programming are WDM11 headings. 9709 has no Decision paper. D1 is January and June only.
Exam dates
Series windows only. The timetable, not this page, has the date and the session.
9709 series
- June series Cambridge’s early-summer series. The zone timetable has the day.
- November series Cambridge’s autumn series. The zone timetable has the day.
- March series For schools in India. Use that series timetable for the day.
There is no January series for 9709. An AS route is sat in one series. A staged A Level adds the other two papers in a later series, within the Cambridge Handbook time limits.
Edexcel IAL series
- January series P1 to P4, M1, M2, S1, S2 and D1.
- June series Pearson’s early-summer series. The timetable has the day; a June-series paper can be scheduled in May.
- October series P1, P2, P3, P4, M1, M2, S1 and S2. Not D1.
IAS cash-in XMA01 and IAL cash-in YMA01 are awarded in January, June and October. Units can be sat in different series.
Pros and cons
Balanced on the structure: number of papers, resits, routes and series. Not a league table.
Cambridge 9709
Benefits
- AS is two papers. The full A Level is four.
- A Level pure is Paper 3 plus the compulsory Paper 1, rather than two A2 pure units.
- The A Level can be staged, with the AS result carried forward, or sat in one series.
- June and November series, plus a March series in India.
- A scientific calculator is expected on every paper. There is no non-calculator paper.
Drawbacks
- The pure-only AS route, Paper 1 with Paper 2, cannot be carried into A Level.
- Paper 4 cannot be combined with Paper 6. There is no M1+M2 style route.
- Carry-forward follows the time limits in the Cambridge Handbook. It is not a bank of separate unit resits.
- No January series.
- Graphical calculators, and calculators that do symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration, are not permitted.
Edexcel IAL
Benefits
- Modular. Units can be sat in different series, and a unit can be resat on its own.
- The IAS is three units and contributes to the six-unit IAL.
- January, June and October series for P1 to P4, M1, M2, S1 and S2.
- Five applications pairs, including M1 with M2 and two routes that use Decision Mathematics.
- Every unit is 1 hour 30 minutes and 75 marks, and each is one sixth of the IAL.
Drawbacks
- More examinations: three for the IAS and six for the IAL.
- Pure is four units. A2 pure is P3 and P4, not one paper.
- A unit cashed into one qualification cannot be reused for another until that cash-in is entered again.
- Decision Mathematics (WDM11) is not in the October series.
- A* needs a grade A overall and at least 180 of the 200 uniform marks on P3 and P4 together.
- Calculators cannot do symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or integration, and cannot store formulae.
Open the hub for your paper
9709 P1 hub 9709 P3 hub 9709 Mechanics hub 9709 S1 hub 9709 S2 hub WMA11 hub WMA12 hub WME01 hub WST01 hub A Level topics All guides
Sources: Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics 9709 and Pearson Edexcel IAL Mathematics (2018). Routes and weightings are the allowed combinations in those documents.
Common questions
Which board is better for universities?
This page does not rank recognition. Cambridge International AS and A Level and Pearson Edexcel IAL are both international qualifications. A university offer and the route your school actually teaches matter more than a brand preference.
Can I practise 9709 papers for an Edexcel unit?
Only as early method practice. A timed mock has to be the unit on your entry, marked with that unit mark scheme. 9709 Paper 1 is not WMA11.
I am taking 9709 Paper 1 and Paper 2. Can that become A Level?
No. The pure-only AS route cannot be carried forward to A Level Mathematics. Paper 2 and Paper 3 cannot be taken in the same series.
Can I do mechanics only at A Level?
On Edexcel, yes: P1 to P4 plus M1 and M2. On Cambridge, no. Paper 4 cannot be paired with Paper 6. The mechanics A Level route is Papers 1, 3, 4 and 5.
How many exam series are there?
9709 has a June series and a November series, plus a March series in India. Edexcel P1 to P4, M1, M2, S1 and S2 are in the January, June and October series. Decision Mathematics D1 is January and June only.
Are calculators allowed?
Yes on every 9709 paper and every IAL unit. Graphical calculators are not permitted on 9709. Neither board permits symbolic algebra, symbolic differentiation or symbolic integration. Show your working.