Every year thousands of students with Cambridge International AS & A levels gain places at leading universities worldwide. This means students can be confident that their Cambridge International AS & A level qualifications are accepted as equivalent, grade for grade, to UK AS & A levels by leading universities worldwide. Cambridge International AS Level Mathematics forms the first half of the Cambridge International A Level course in mathematics and provides a foundation for the study of mathematics at Cambridge International A Level.
Cambridge International A Level Mathematics provides a foundation for the study of mathematics or related courses in higher education. For more information about the relationship between the Cambridge International AS Level and Cambridge International A Level see the 'Assessment Overview' section of the Syllabus Overview. Cambridge International AS & A Level Mathematics provides good preparation for the study of Cambridge International AS & A Level Further Mathematics (9231).
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). We provide a wide range of resources, detailed guidance and innovative training and professional development so you can give your students the best possible preparation for Cambridge International AS & A Level.
Structure of AS Level and A Level Mathematics AS Level Mathematics A Level Mathematics
- and Paper 2 Pure Mathematics only
- and Paper 4 Pure Mathematics and
- and Paper 5 Pure Mathematics and
- Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4 Paper 5 Paper 6
Please note that the pure maths only route (Paper 1 and Paper 2) is only available at AS level. Candidates taking the Pure Mathematics route cannot then use their AS result and continue to complete A Levels. Candidates take AS Level components in the first year and carry forward their AS Level result.
Cambridge International AS & A Levels prepare students well for university because they have learned to go into a subject in considerable depth.
3 Subject content
Quadratics
Coordinate geometry Candidates should be able to
Trigonometry
Series
Including use of the second derivative for identifying maxima and minima; alternatives can be used in questions where no method is specified.
Integration
Knowledge of the content for Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1 is assumed and candidates may be required to demonstrate this knowledge when answering questions.
Algebra
Logarithmic and exponential functions Candidates should be able to
Differentiation
Integration
Numerical solution of equations Candidates should be able to
Algebra
Logarithmic and exponential functions Candidates should be able to
Trigonometry
Integration
Numerical solution of equations Candidates should be able to
Vectors
Complex numbers Candidates should be able to
Examination questions may involve extended bodies in a 'realistic' context, but these extended bodies must be treated as particles, so any force acting on them is modeled as acting at a single point.
Forces and equilibrium Candidates should be able to
Kinematics of motion in a straight line Candidates should be able to
Momentum
Newton’s laws of motion Candidates should be able to
Energy, work and power Candidates should be able to
The set of questions will be mainly numerical and will test principles of probability and statistics without involving knowledge of algebraic methods beyond the content of Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 1. Knowledge of the following probability notation is also assumed: P(A), P^A B , h, P A B ^ + h, P(A|B) and the use of A′ to denote the complement of A.
Representation of data Candidates should be able to
Permutations and combinations Candidates should be able to
Discrete random variables Candidates should be able to
Knowledge of the content of Paper 5: Probability and Statistics 1 is assumed, and candidates may be required to demonstrate this knowledge when answering questions.
The Poisson distribution Candidates should be able to
Linear combinations of random variables Candidates should be able to
Sampling and estimation Candidates should be able to
Results of hypothesis tests are expected to be interpreted in relation to the contexts in which the questions are asked.
4 Details of the assessment
Candidates must give non-precise numerical answers correct to three significant figures (or one decimal place for angles in degrees) unless a different level of accuracy is specified in the question. To gain accuracy marks, candidates should avoid rounding numbers until they have their final answer. A list of formulas and statistical tables (MF19) is provided in samples for use by candidates.
A copy of the list of formulas and tables is provided for reference in Chapter 5 of this syllabus. Some formulas in the list are not necessary for this syllabus and only apply to Further Mathematics (9231); these are listed in separate sections entitled Further Pure Mathematics, Further Mechanics and Further Probability and Statistics. Candidates are expected to have a calculator with standard 'scientific' functions available for use in all examinations.
Computers, graphing calculators, and calculators that allow symbolic algebraic manipulation or symbolic differentiation or integration are not permitted. The General Regulations governing the use of calculators are contained in the Cambridge Handbook at www.cambridgeinternational.org/examsofficers. Candidates are expected to demonstrate all required work; No grades will be given for unsupported calculator answers.
The list of mathematical notations that can be used in exams for this syllabus is available on our website at www.cambridgeinternational.org/9709.
5 List of formulae and statistical tables (MF19)
Triangular lamella: 23 along median from vertex Solid hemisphere with radius r: 38r from center Hemispherical shell with radius r: 12r from center Circular arc with radius r and angle 2α: sinr α. For each value of n, the table gives the largest value of T that will lead to the rejection of the null hypothesis at the level of significance indicated. Rm is the sum of the ranks of the items in the sample of size m.
For each pair of values of m and n, the table gives the largest value of W that will lead to rejection of the null hypothesis at the indicated significance level.
6 What else you need to know
We encourage them to work closely with you to ensure that they apply the right number of candidates for the right combination of curriculum components. Entry option codes and instructions for submitting entries are in the Cambridge Guide to Making Entries. To keep our exams safe, we produce questions for different areas of the world known as administrative areas.
An entry option code is used to identify the components the candidate will take in relation to the administrative area and assessment options available. Your Exams Officer will find this support and guidance for all other stages of the Cambridge Examination Cycle at www.cambridgeinternational.org/eoguide. Candidates can retake Cambridge International AS Level and Cambridge International A Level as often as they wish.
To confirm which entry options are available for this syllabus, please refer to the Cambridge Guide to Making Entries for the relevant series. Great care has been taken to avoid any form of bias in preparing this syllabus and associated assessment materials. 'Not assessed' means that the candidate's performance did not meet the standard required for the lowest grade (E or e).
On the Statement of Results and Certificates, Cambridge International AS & A Levels are shown as General Certificates of Education, GCE Advanced Subsidiary Level (GCE AS Level) and GCE Advanced Level (GCE A Level). Grade descriptions are provided to give an indication of the standards of performance candidates who are awarded particular grades are likely to demonstrate. Weakness in one aspect of the examination can be balanced by a better performance in another aspect.
Grade descriptions for Cambridge International AS & Level Mathematics will be published after the first A Level assessment in 2020. Important changes to the syllabus are indicated by black vertical lines on either side of the text. Any textbook approved to support the exam syllabus from 2020 is still suitable for use with this syllabus.
