Edexcel A Level Mathematics (9MA0) Past Papers 2026

Pure Mathematics 1

Duration: 2h

Pure Mathematics 2

Duration: 2h

Statistics and Mechanics

Duration: 2h

Domain and range of functions, especially for inverse functions

Examiners note this as a persistent recurring error across multiple years: 'It highlighted that candidates continue to struggle with identifying the domain and range of functions, and that in most cases candidates are not aware that they should state the domain when defining a function.' The domain of an inverse function is a separate awarded mark.

Paper 1

Connected rates of change (chain rule in applied contexts)

'The concept of connected rates of change is one that candidates frequently struggle with.' Even where candidates found dV/dh and dV/dt correctly, 'they often failed to use the chain rule correctly to find dh/dt.'

Paper 2

Multi-step graph transformations

'Many candidates are potentially guessing the net effect of a multi-step transformation rather than separately considering the stepwise effect of the individual transformations.' The range of incorrect answers was 'perhaps surprising'. Translations are handled better than stretches or reflections.

Paper 2

Integration by parts (sign errors and double application)

'The most common method was for candidates to apply by parts twice using the formula given in the formula book, although this did frequently result in candidates getting signs wrong for their terms.' Double negatives were rarely simplified. Candidates often integrated 8x² incorrectly instead of differentiating it.

Paper 2

Trigonometric proofs and identities (connecting both sides)

'Only a minority who managed to complete the proof successfully… generally those who started with the left-hand side were more successful.' Many candidates introduced identities, then undid them ('expanding the bracket on the LHS which seemed to be the default first step'), resulting in circular working.

Paper 2

Logarithm laws applied to modelling questions

'There were a lot of very convoluted incorrect solutions in this question which showed a poor grasp of logarithms and the associated rules; t log ab was commonly seen.' Candidates 'failed to correctly relate log V = log a + t log b to y = mx + c despite previous questions on the topic, confusing which were the variables and which were the constants.'

Paper 1

Quadratic inequalities — selecting the correct region

'Many candidates were not able to identify the correct region for their x² coefficient and critical values, often stemming from dividing their quadratic by –2 but forgetting or not knowing to change the direction of the inequality sign.' Confusion between 'and' and 'or' in expressing the solution set was also common.

Paper 1

Algebraic proof — covering all cases and writing conclusions

'The final mark was often lost in many of the complete attempts as at least one element of the proof was either missing or had errors. Some candidates only proved one case (odd or even only) and some candidates did not include an overall conclusion.' Writing 3n² + 3n + 1 without a logical argument earns partial credit only.

Paper 1