Mathematics
Cambridge AS & A Level Mathematics
Syllabus topics
46 topics and subtopics in the 2026-2027 syllabus, examined from 1 Jan 2026.
1Pure Mathematics 1 (Paper 1)
AS Level and A Level (compulsory for both).
- 1.1
- 1.2
- 1.5
- 1.6
- 1.8
2-3Pure Mathematics 2 and Pure Mathematics 3 (Papers 2 and 3)
Paper 2 (AS Level only) and Paper 3 (A Level only) are alternatives: a candidate never takes both in one series. Paper 2 content (topics 2.1-2.6) is largely a…
- 2.3, 3.3
- 2.4, 3.4
Differentiation
The derivative of tan⁻¹x is Paper 3 only.
- 2.6, 3.6
- 3.7
4Mechanics (Paper 4)
AS Level and A Level. Particles only; g = 10 m s⁻²; vector notation is not used in the question papers.
- 4.3
5Probability & Statistics 1 (Paper 5)
AS Level and A Level (compulsory for A Level).
- 5.3
6Probability & Statistics 2 (Paper 6)
A Level only. Assumes Paper 5 and the calculus of Paper 3.
About this syllabus
Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics has six components. Pure Mathematics 1 (quadratics, functions, coordinate geometry, circular measure, trigonometry, series, differentiation and integration) is the foundation for all the others. Pure Mathematics 2 (AS Level only) and Pure Mathematics 3 (A Level) extend it with the modulus function, polynomials, logarithms and exponentials, further trigonometry, differentiation, integration and numerical methods; Paper 3 adds partial fractions, the general binomial expansion, vectors, differential equations and complex numbers. Mechanics covers forces and equilibrium, kinematics, momentum, Newton's laws and energy, work and power. Probability & Statistics 1 covers data, permutations and combinations, probability, discrete distributions and the normal distribution; Probability & Statistics 2 covers the Poisson distribution, linear combinations, continuous random variables, sampling and estimation, and hypothesis tests.
How you are assessed
AS Level: Paper 1 (1 h 50 min, 75 marks, 60%) with Paper 2, 4 or 5 (1 h 15 min, 50 marks, 40%). A Level: Papers 1 and 3 (each 1 h 50 min, 75 marks, 30%) with Papers 4 and 5 or Papers 5 and 6 (each 1 h 15 min, 50 marks, 20%). All papers are written, externally marked, with compulsory structured questions; a calculator is allowed in all papers.
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