WMA11 / 01
Edexcel WMA11 exam technique
Pure Mathematics 1 is one written paper: 1 hour 30 minutes, 75 marks, every question compulsory. It is one third of the International AS and one sixth of the International A Level. A calculator is allowed. A calculator that does symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration is not.
Seventy-five marks, not a Cambridge Paper 1
WMA11 is not 9709 Paper 1 with a different cover. The time is shorter by 20 minutes, the total is 75 rather than 75 over 1 hour 50, and the formula booklet is on the desk. Pearson’s specification lists solution of quadratics by factorising, by the formula, by calculator, or by completing the square. Cambridge’s Paper 1 report refuses an unsupported calculator root. On WMA11, read the question. When the question says “show that”, or it tells you to show the method, the algebra has to be on the page. When it does not, a calculator solution of a quadratic can be the method the specification allows.
- The required calculator has powers, roots, logarithms, factorials, and sine, cosine and tangent in degrees and in radians. Know which mode you are in before you press the key.
- Arc length rθ and sector area ½r²θ are in the formula list, with θ in radians. A degree answer in a radians question is a mode error, not a small slip.
- Clear the memory. Stored notes and a symbolic algebra system are both outside Appendix 6.
- An A* is not a WMA11 grade. It needs at least 480 of 600 uniform marks overall and at least 180 of 200 on P3 and P4 together. WMA11 is necessary. It is not sufficient.
Rationalise on the paper
Worked example
Write 6 / (3 − √3) in the form a + b√3
- Multiply numerator and denominator by 3 + √3.
- Numerator: 6(3 + √3) = 18 + 6√3.
- Denominator: (3 − √3)(3 + √3) = 9 − 3 = 6.
- (18 + 6√3) / 6 = 3 + √3.
The specification says students must be able to rationalise denominators. A calculator decimal does not do that. This example is original. It is the kind of line a “show that” surd question is asking for.
Indices sit beside surds. Rewrite both sides as powers of the same base before you equate the indices. A decimal from the solver hides the law you were meant to use.
What a recent paper mixed
WMA11/01 January 2025 mixed, in order, integration, coordinate geometry, modelling, algebra, differentiation, differentiation with integration, reciprocal functions, circular measure, and integration with inequalities. That is one paper, not a syllabus order. Revise in syllabus order, then sit a paper that jumps like this.
- Graphs. June 2022 question 4 is a transformations question: translations and reflections. Name the vector. A shift of the graph of y = f(x) up by 2 is a translation by (0, 2). A replacement of x by x + 2 is a translation by (−2, 0). “It moved” is not the description.
- Sketching. January 2022 question 10 is a sketch. Label intercepts and the turning point you were asked for. A shape with no coordinates is a different answer.
- Attempt the question before you read a solution. Reading a solution while the pen is down does not show you the method mark you would have missed.
One paper, then the scheme
- 75 marks in 90 minutes is a bit under a minute and a quarter a mark. A 6-mark modelling question is not a 6-minute ornament at the end if you have spent the first hour on question 1.
- Attempt every question. There is no choice of questions.
- Mark with the WMA11 mark scheme for that series. Note whether the miss was a missing method, a radian/degree swap, or an unsimplified surd.
- The next session is that topic, not another full paper. Full papers start after the topic list is shorter.