AQA A Level Mathematics (7357) Past Papers 2026

7357/1 — Pure Mathematics

Duration: 2h

7357/2 — Pure Mathematics and Mechanics

Duration: 2h

7357/3 — Pure Mathematics and Statistics

Duration: 2h

Proof by contradiction

Less than 10% of students completed proof by contradiction correctly in 2023. The core skill — stating the correct negation as an assumption — is widely missing.

7357/2, 7357/3

Integration by substitution (complex algebraic manipulation)

Most students know the method but fail to eliminate all x terms or handle powers and roots correctly. The second substitution approach (x = …) almost always leads to incomplete elimination.

7357/3

Newton's laws applied to connected systems and moments

Students set up inconsistent equations by mixing up mass and weight, taking moments about different points, or not drawing force diagrams. Over a third of students could not correctly model a rod or pulley system.

7357/2

Statistical hypothesis testing: notation and conclusion

Students use incorrect parameter notation (X or P(X) instead of p or μ), confuse sample mean with population mean, or fail to conclude in context. Only about 20% scored all marks on hypothesis testing questions.

7357/3

Rates of change (connected rates, chain rule in context)

Only about 10% of students correctly applied the chain rule to link dV/dt and dh/dt in context. Students can differentiate V with respect to h but cannot combine rates using the chain rule.

7357/3

Newton-Raphson method: correct derivative

Students differentiate sin 2θ correctly but forget to differentiate the θ term, obtaining only 2cos 2θ instead of 2cos 2θ − 1. This single error typically costs two out of three marks.

7357/1

Binomial distribution: assumptions stated in context

Under a quarter of students could state both binomial assumptions in context in 2022. Generic statements like 'probability is fixed' with no reference to the specific scenario score nothing.

7357/3

Large Data Set specific content

Students confuse the years covered, the variables recorded, or invent details about the LDS. Only about 20% gained both marks on LDS interpretation questions in 2022.

7357/3