Cambridge AS and A Level Mathematics (9709) is split into six papers. Which ones you sit depends on whether you are doing AS or the full A Level. This guide lays out what is in each paper, how long it is, and how the topics connect, so you can plan your year with the whole picture in front of you.
The six papers at a glance
| Paper | Name | Time | Marks | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pure Mathematics 1 (P1) | 1 h 50 min | 75 | AS and A Level |
| 2 | Pure Mathematics 2 (P2) | 1 h 15 min | 50 | AS only |
| 3 | Pure Mathematics 3 (P3) | 1 h 50 min | 75 | A Level only |
| 4 | Mechanics (M1) | 1 h 15 min | 50 | AS and A Level |
| 5 | Probability & Statistics 1 (S1) | 1 h 15 min | 50 | AS and A Level |
| 6 | Probability & Statistics 2 (S2) | 1 h 15 min | 50 | A Level only |
Many students and teachers call Papers 4, 5 and 6 M1, S1 and S2. They are the same papers.
Which papers make up AS and A Level
- AS Level: Paper 1 together with one of Paper 2, Paper 4 or Paper 5.
- A Level: Papers 1 and 3, plus either Papers 4 and 5, or Papers 5 and 6.
Your school or teacher decides the combination. Always check the current syllabus for the exam year you are sitting, because Cambridge can update details.
What each paper covers
Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1
Quadratics, functions, coordinate geometry, circular measure, trigonometry, series, differentiation and integration. This is the foundation for everything else in the course.
Paper 2: Pure Mathematics 2 (AS only)
Algebra, logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometry, differentiation, integration and the numerical solution of equations.
Paper 3: Pure Mathematics 3 (A Level)
All of the Paper 2 topics, taken further, plus vectors, differential equations and complex numbers.
Paper 4: Mechanics
Forces and equilibrium, kinematics of motion in a straight line, momentum, Newton’s laws of motion, and energy, work and power.
Paper 5: Probability & Statistics 1
Representation of data, permutations and combinations, probability, discrete random variables and the normal distribution.
Paper 6: Probability & Statistics 2
The Poisson distribution, linear combinations of random variables, continuous random variables, sampling and estimation, and hypothesis tests.
How the topics connect
- Differentiation and integration start in Paper 1 and come back, with more techniques, in Paper 3. They also power the Mechanics paper, where velocity and acceleration are derivatives, and Paper 6, where continuous random variables are built on integration.
- Algebra and functions are used in every paper. Weak algebra is the most common reason marks leak away in the Mechanics and Statistics papers too.
- Trigonometry in Paper 1 sets up the identities and equations in Paper 3 and the resolving of forces in Mechanics.
- Permutations and combinations in Paper 5 feed straight into the probability work that follows.
Calculators
A scientific calculator is expected in the exam. Graphical and symbolic calculators are not permitted.
A sensible way to plan the year
- Finish Paper 1 content first. Everything else builds on it.
- Move on to Paper 3 and your Mechanics or Statistics papers, keeping a little time each week for Paper 1 questions so it stays fresh.
- Once content is covered, work through past papers topic by topic, then in full under timed conditions.
See the guide on how to get the most from past papers for a method that works.