Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics (9709) Syllabus, Content , Assessment and Routes for 2025
Content overview
| Content section | Assessment component | Topics included |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Pure Mathematics 1 | Paper 1 | 1.1 Quadratics 1.2 Functions 1.3 Coordinate geometry 1.4 Circular measure 1.5 Trigonometry 1.6 Series 1.7 Differentiation 1.8 Integration |
| 2 Pure Mathematics 2 | Paper 2 | 2.1 Algebra 2.2 Logarithmic and exponential functions 2.3 Trigonometry 2.4 Differentiation 2.5 Integration 2.6 Numerical solution of equations |
| 3 Pure Mathematics 3 | Paper 3 | 3.1 Algebra 3.2 Logarithmic and exponential functions 3.3 Trigonometry 3.4 Differentiation 3.5 Integration 3.6 Numerical solution of equations 3.7 Vectors 3.8 Differential equations 3.9 Complex numbers |
| 4 Mechanics | Paper 4 | 4.1 Forces and equilibrium 4.2 Kinematics of motion in a straight line 4.3 Momentum 4.4 Newton’s laws of motion 4.5 Energy, work and power |
| 5 Probability & Statistics 1 | Paper 5 | 5.1 Representation of data 5.2 Permutations and combinations 5.3 Probability 5.4 Discrete random variables 5.5 The normal distribution |
| 6 Probability & Statistics 2 | Paper 6 | 6.1 The Poisson distribution 6.2 Linear combinations of random variables 6.3 Continuous random variables 6.4 Sampling and estimation 6.5 Hypothesis tests |
Structure
There are six Mathematics components available:
Pure Mathematics components:
Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1
Paper 2: Pure Mathematics 2
Paper 3: Pure Mathematics 3
Mechanics components:
Paper 4: Mechanics
Probability & Statistics components:
Paper 5: Probability & Statistics 1
Paper 6: Probability & Statistics 2
Candidates take two components for AS Level Mathematics.
Candidates take four components for A Level Mathematics.
Three routes for Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics
Candidates following an AS Level route will be eligible for grades a–e. Candidates following an A Level route are eligible for grades A*–E.
|
Structure of AS Level and A Level Mathematics
AS Level MathematicsA Level Mathematics
|
|---|
|
Paper 1 and Paper 2
Pure Mathematics only (No progression to A Level)
Paper 1 and Paper 4
Pure Mathematics and Mechanics Paper 1, 3, 4 and 5
Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Probability & Statistics Paper 1 and Paper 5
Pure Mathematics and Probability & Statistics Paper 1, 3, 5 and 6
Pure Mathematics and Probability & Statistics |
This syllabus gives you the flexibility to design a course that will interest, challenge and engage your learners.
You are responsible for selecting a suitable combination of components to support your learners’ further study.
Teachers should be aware that there are recommended combinations of components to study in Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics (9709) to support progression to Cambridge International AS & A Level Further Mathematics (9231).
When planning a course which supports progression to Cambridge International AS & A Level Further Mathematics teachers should refer to the Cambridge International AS & A Level Further Mathematics syllabus and refer to the support document Guide to prior learning for Paper 4 Further Probability and Statistics on the Cambridge International website for more information.
AS Mathematics (AS Level only)
Candidates take two components in the same series.
Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 and Paper 2 Pure Mathematics 2
(Please note, this route cannot count towards A Level)
OR
Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 and Paper 4 Mechanics
OR
Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 and Paper 5 Probability & Statistics 1
Please note, the Pure Mathematics only route (Paper 1 and Paper 2) is available at AS Level only. Candidates who take the Pure Mathematics only route cannot then use their AS result and carry forward to complete the A Level.
A Level Mathematics
Candidates take four components for Cambridge International A Level Mathematics.
All candidates take:
Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1
and
Paper 3: Pure Mathematics 3.
Then, candidates take either:
Paper 4: Mechanics
and
Paper 5: Probability & Statistics 1
OR
Paper 5: Probability & Statistics 1
and
Paper 6: Probability & Statistics 2.
Please note, it is not possible to combine Paper 4 and Paper 6. This is because Paper 6 depends on prior knowledge of the subject content for Paper 5.
A Level Mathematics (Staged route)
Candidates take AS Level components in the first year and carry forward their AS Level result. They then take two more components in another series to complete the A Level.
| Year 1 (AS Level) |
Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 |
and | Paper 4 Mechanics |
| then | Year 2 (A Level) |
and | Paper 5 Probability & Statistics 1 |
OR
| Year 1 (AS Level) |
Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 |
and | Paper 5 Probability & Statistics 1 |
| then | Year 2 (A Level) |
and | Paper 4 Mechanics |
OR
| Year 1 (AS Level) |
Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 |
and | Paper 5 Probability & Statistics 1 |
| then | Year 2 (A Level) |
and | Paper 6 Probability & Statistics 2 |
A Level Mathematics (Linear route)
Candidates take the A Level components in the same series.
| Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 |
Paper 4 Mechanics |
| Paper 3 Pure Mathematics 3 |
Paper 5 Probability & Statistics 1 |
OR
| Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 |
Paper 5 Probability & Statistics 1 |
| Paper 3 Pure Mathematics 3 |
Paper 6 Probability & Statistics 2 |
Assessment overview
Paper 1
Pure Mathematics 1 1 hour 50 minutes
- 75 marks
- 10 to 12 structured questions based on the Pure Mathematics 1 subject content
- Written examination
- Externally assessed
- 60% of the AS Level
- 30% of the A Level
- Compulsory for AS Level and A Level
Paper 2
Pure Mathematics 2 1 hour 15 minutes
- 50 marks
- 6 to 8 structured questions based on the Pure Mathematics 2 subject content
- Written examination
- Externally assessed
- 40% of the AS Level
- Offered only as part of AS Level
Paper 3
Pure Mathematics 3 1 hour 50 minutes
- 75 marks
- 9 to 11 structured questions based on the Pure Mathematics 3 subject content
- Written examination
- Externally assessed
- 30% of the A Level only
- Compulsory for A Level
Paper 4
Mechanics 1 hour 15 minutes
- 50 marks
- 6 to 8 structured questions based on the Mechanics subject content
- Written examination
- Externally assessed
- 40% of the AS Level
- 20% of the A Level
- Offered as part of AS Level and A Level
Paper 5
Probability & Statistics 1 1 hour 15 minutes
- 50 marks
- 6 to 8 structured questions based on the Probability & Statistics 1 subject content
- Written examination
- Externally assessed
- 40% of the AS Level
- 20% of the A Level
- Compulsory for A Level
Paper 6
Probability & Statistics 2 1 hour 15 minutes
- 50 marks
- 6 to 8 structured questions based on the Probability & Statistics 2 subject content
- Written examination
- Externally assessed
- 20% of the A Level only
- Offered only as part of A Level