Pearson Edexcel International A Level Pure Mathematics (YPM01 · WMA11–WMA14, WFM01 and WFM02/03): syllabus, papers and marking
All six units are pure mathematics: the four core pure units plus Further Pure 1 and one more. Marked line by line in the Edexcel M/A/B convention.
Specification Issue 3 (April 2019), shared with IAL Mathematics and Further Mathematics; each unit is a separate exam · January and June and October series · grades A*–E
IAL Pure Maths: where the marks go
Edexcel IAL Pure Mathematics is the qualification for candidates who want an all-pure route: the four core pure units P1 to P4, Further Pure FP1 and one of FP2 or FP3. Each unit is a 75-mark, 1 h 30 min paper, with P1 to P4 in January, June and October and the Further Pure units in January and June. The examiner reports are consistent: marks go on proofs that stop one line early, on binomial expansions applied to the wrong form, and on integrals where the bounds were never substituted.
It sits in the same specification as Mathematics and Further Mathematics, so unit results cannot be reused across the three qualifications. Our papers are original and follow the published unit descriptions. Marking returns method and accuracy marks line by line, with the concept behind each lost mark named.
Paper structure and what we mark
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMA11 — Unit P1: Pure Mathematics 1 | 1 h 30 min | 75 | one unit | Algebra and functions, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, differentiation, integration; January, June and October |
| WMA12 — Unit P2: Pure Mathematics 2 | 1 h 30 min | 75 | one unit | Proof, sequences and series, exponentials and logarithms, trigonometry, differentiation, integration; January, June and October |
| WMA13 — Unit P3: Pure Mathematics 3 | 1 h 30 min | 75 | one unit | Functions, trigonometry, exponentials and logarithms, differentiation, integration, numerical methods; January, June and October |
| WMA14 — Unit P4: Pure Mathematics 4 | 1 h 30 min | 75 | one unit | Proof, coordinate geometry, binomial expansion, differentiation, integration, vectors; January, June and October |
| WFM01 — Unit FP1: Further Pure Mathematics 1 | 1 h 30 min | 75 | one unit | Complex numbers, matrices, numerical methods, series, proof; January and June only |
| WFM02 or WFM03 — Unit FP2 or FP3: Further Pure Mathematics 2 or 3 (one of the two) | 1 h 30 min | 75 | one unit | FP2: further complex numbers, differential equations, Maclaurin and Taylor series, polar coordinates. FP3: hyperbolic functions, further coordinate systems, vectors, further matrix algebra. January and June only |
Syllabus outline
- P1: algebra and functions, quadratics, coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane, trigonometry, differentiation, integration
- P2: proof, sequences and series, exponentials and logarithms, trigonometry, differentiation, integration
- P3: functions, trigonometric identities, exponentials and logarithms, differentiation, integration, numerical methods
- P4: proof, coordinate geometry, binomial expansion, differentiation, integration, vectors
- FP1: complex numbers, matrices, numerical solution of equations, series, proof
- FP2 or FP3: differential equations, Maclaurin series and polar coordinates, or hyperbolic functions and further vectors
How each paper is marked here
- Each answer is marked line by line with M, A and B marks; the dependent marks follow the Edexcel convention and are never awarded alone.
- Follow-through is applied where the mark scheme allows it, so a wrong early value still earns the later method marks.
- Opening soon: the unit rubrics are in testing; ask to be told when P1 opens.
Where IAL Pure Maths candidates lose marks
- Binomial expansion taken in the wrong form — The (1 + x)ⁿ expansion for rational n and the (a + b)ⁿ expansion for positive integer n are different tools; using one for the other loses the method mark.
- Circle questions that stop at the centre — Midpoint and radius found, then the equation or the nearest point never completed in exact form.
- Area between a curve and a line found as area under the curve only — The second area, usually a trapezium, must be subtracted for the final marks.
- Factor theorem argument without the conclusion — Substituting the value is the method; the statement that the result is zero and therefore the bracket is a factor is the mark.
- Implicit differentiation without a stated reason — A final answer for the gradient needs the justification the question asks for, not only the number.
Sample papers, mark schemes and marked reports for IAL Pure Maths
Sample material
Questions teachers ask
- How is Pure Maths different from Mathematics?
- Mathematics takes P1 to P4 plus applied units (Mechanics, Statistics or Decision). Pure Mathematics replaces the applied units with FP1 and one more Further Pure unit.
- Which units are compulsory?
- P1, P2, P3, P4 and FP1, plus one of FP2 or FP3.
- Do you also set the IAL Mathematics units?
- Yes. IAL Mathematics is a live course; see the Mathematics page for its marked papers.
- Is this official Pearson Edexcel marking?
- No. Pearson Edexcel International marks the real exam. This is examiner-style marking of mocks and homework for IAL Pure Maths. Only you see the marking, and you decide what reaches the student.
- Do you reproduce past-paper questions?
- No. Every YPM01 · WMA11–WMA14, WFM01 and WFM02/03 paper here is original and written to the specification issue 3 (april 2019), shared with ial mathematics and further mathematics; each unit is a separate exam, in the same structure as the real papers shown above.
- Which papers are marked?
- None yet are marked question by question. Practical exams sat at the centre are not marked here.
- How is the next paper chosen?
- From the marks a student lost: the concepts behind them are ranked by marks dropped, and the new paper weights those topics. It is the same syllabus and structure, with new questions.
- When are the exams?
- January and June and October series. Grades A*–E.
Other Pearson Edexcel International A Level courses
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Mathematics (WMA / WME / WST)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (WPH11–WPH16)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Chemistry (WCH11–WCH16)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology (WBI11–WBI16)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Economics (WEC11–WEC14)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Business (WBS11–WBS14)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Accounting (WAC11–WAC12)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Psychology (WPS01–WPS04)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Law (YLA1)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Further Mathematics (YFM01 · WFM01–WFM03 with M, S and D options)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Geography (WGE01–WGE04)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level History (WHI01–WHI04)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level English Language (WEN01–WEN04)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level English Literature (WET01–WET04)
- Pearson Edexcel International A Level Information Technology (WIT11–WIT14)
Start marking Pure Mathematics scripts · See a real marked script