CCEA GCE A Level Mathematics (MATH) Past Papers 2026

AS Unit 1: Pure Mathematics

Duration: 1h 45m

AS Unit 2: Applied Mathematics (Mechanics + Statistics)

Duration: 1h 15m

A2 Unit 1: Pure Mathematics

Duration: 2h 30m

A2 Unit 2: Applied Mathematics (Mechanics + Statistics)

Duration: 1h 30m

Hypothesis testing — p-value definition, critical region construction, and conclusion language

Across all three years, hypothesis testing in Statistics (both AS 2 and A2 2) was consistently the weakest area. In 2023, 'few candidates could provide a clear and coherent definition of a p-value' and 'few candidates could provide a clear and coherent definition of the significance level'. In 2024 and 2025, incorrect critical region direction, missing 'sufficient evidence' phrasing, and conclusions not in context were flagged in every AS 2 and A2 2 report.

AS 2, A2 2

Functions — domain, range, inverse functions, and mathematical notation

Explicitly called the weakest Pure area in A2 1 (2024 and 2025). In 2024, 'x or y was often used for the range rather than the necessary gf(x)'. In 2025, 'candidates are generally unfamiliar and not confident with the use of range, domain, and appropriate mathematical notation' and 'poor notation cost many candidates marks' on inverse function questions.

A2 1

Reciprocal trigonometric functions — sketching cot, sec, cosec graphs

Singled out in A2 1 2025 as 'possibly the most poorly attempted question on the paper'. Many candidates 'did not know the general shape of a cot graph'. The examiner linked this to over-reliance on recent past papers, as these functions have not appeared frequently in recent series.

A2 1

Integration — by parts, by substitution, and integrating even powers of sine

Across A2 1 in 2024 and 2025: integration by parts was frequently attempted incorrectly with terms subtracted in the wrong order; integration by substitution was described as 'a clear differentiator in terms of ability' in 2025; integrating sin²x via the double angle identity was 'poorly answered' with many not recognising the need to replace sin²x with (1 − cos 2x)/2.

A2 1

Sigma notation and geometric series proof

Flagged in A2 1 2024: 'a significant number of candidates demonstrated little understanding in areas of the specification that have not been asked in recent years such as using sigma notation and proving the sum of a geometric series'. Many candidates could not attempt Question 2(a)(i) and 2(a)(ii) which 'should have been accessible to all'.

A2 1

Differential equations — setting up from context and solving by separation of variables

In A2 1 2023, 'candidates struggled to correctly interpret this question to form the required differential equation. Only the best candidates did this accurately.' In 2024 A2 1 Q8, 'only the strongest candidates were able to separate variables correctly and recognise the need to use the partial fractions'. Forming the differential equation from a word problem was the dominant failure mode.

A2 1

Variable acceleration — integration to find position/velocity, treating phases separately

In A2 2 2024 and 2025, candidates consistently lost marks by failing to separate motion into phases (e.g. the first three seconds versus the remaining time). In 2024, 'many of them treating the situation as a whole and not considering the first three seconds separate from the remaining time'. Ignoring the constant of integration or failing to justify its value from initial conditions compounded this error.

A2 2

Statistical interpretation — standard deviation meaning, regression gradient, and probability in context

In AS 2 2023, 'a lack of understanding of the meaning of standard deviation/variance was common — only the more able candidates made links to spread/variability/consistency'. In 2025 AS 2 Q8, 'very few candidates knew what the gradient represented' in a regression context. In 2024 AS 2, correlation conclusions that were not stated in probabilistic language lost marks.

AS 2, A2 2