A Level Maths 9709 · Exam special · AS & A Level · all papers · ~6 min read
A Level Maths 9709: Exam Technique and the MF19 Formula List
How 9709 is examined: the paper routes, timings and marks, the accuracy rules (3 s.f., angles to 1 d.p.), what the MF19 formula list gives you and what you must learn, calculator rules, and the errors the examiner reports flag most.
Paper routesTimings & marksAccuracy rulesExact answersMF19: given formulaeFormulae to learnCalculator rules"Show that" questions
RSby Riyaz Sir
mentorriyaz.in
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Paper tag = where it is examinedFORMULA LIST (MF19) given in the examM1A1B1 how marks are awardedhighlight = comes up again and againHANDY worth memorisingTest yourself at the end
In 30 seconds
- Two pure papers plus two applied papers make the full A Level: Papers 1 and 3 (Pure), plus either Papers 4 and 5 (Mechanics + Probability & Statistics 1) or Papers 5 and 6 (both statistics papers).
- Accuracy rule: non-exact answers to 3 significant figures, angles in degrees to 1 decimal place, unless the question says otherwise. Keep more figures in working.
- MF19 gives you many formulae, but not the basics: the quadratic formula is there, but the equation of a circle, the arc length and sector area, and the laws of logs aren't. Learn those.
- Working earns most of the marks. A correct answer with no method can score nothing, especially in "show that" and "solve" questions.
By the end you can
- Know the structure, timing and weighting of each 9709 paper.
- Apply the accuracy rules and give exact answers when asked.
- Know exactly which formulae MF19 provides, and learn the rest.
- Avoid the errors the examiner reports flag every session.
1The papers
Routes and timings
| Paper | Content | Time | Marks | Weight (A Level) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pure Mathematics 1 | 1 h 50 min | 75 | 30% (60% of AS) |
| 2 | Pure Mathematics 2 (AS only) | 1 h 15 min | 50 | not used for A Level |
| 3 | Pure Mathematics 3 | 1 h 50 min | 75 | 30% |
| 4 | Mechanics | 1 h 15 min | 50 | 20% |
| 5 | Probability & Statistics 1 | 1 h 15 min | 50 | 20% |
| 6 | Probability & Statistics 2 | 1 h 15 min | 50 | 20% |
- AS Level is Paper 1 plus one of Papers 2, 4 or 5. A Level is Papers 1, 3, 4, 5 or Papers 1, 3, 5, 6. Paper 6 needs the Paper 5 content.
- Timing: roughly 1.4 minutes per mark on every paper. A 7-mark question deserves about 10 minutes; move on if you're stuck and come back.
- Pure 3 assumes Pure 1. Questions on Paper 3 freely use quadratics, coordinate geometry and Paper 1 trigonometry.
2Accuracy and exact answers
The rules
- 3 significant figures for non-exact answers; 1 decimal place for angles in degrees. Answers given to fewer figures, or rounded from rounded values, lose the accuracy mark.
- Keep at least 4 s.f. in working. Early rounding is the commonest cause of a wrong final digit.
- "Exact" means no decimals: leave π, surds, e and ln in the answer, simplified (e.g. ½ ln 5, (2e³ + 1)/9, π/8 + ¼).
- Radians are expected in calculus with trig. If an answer is an angle and the question is in radians, give radians.
- "Show that" (AG): the answer is given, so every step must be visible. Finish with a clear statement that matches the given result.
Common mistakeApproximating midway through a "show that" or quoting the given answer without a full derivation. Both lose the final mark at least.
3The MF19 formula list
Given or not?
| Topic | Given in MF19 | Learn yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra | quadratic formula; AP and GP sums; binomial (integer and rational n) | factor and remainder theorems; discriminant; modulus rules; partial fraction forms |
| Trigonometry | sin² + cos² identities in reciprocal forms; addition and double-angle formulae | exact values of 30°, 45°, 60°; CAST; arc length rθ; sector area ½r²θ |
| Differentiation | table of derivatives including tan⁻¹x; product and quotient rules; parametric dy/dx | tangent and normal equations; stationary point tests |
| Integration | standard integrals including 1/(x² + a²), f′/f; by parts | area and volume of revolution set-ups; trapezium rule layout |
| Vectors | scalar product | vector equation of a line method; skew test |
| Mechanics | suvat equations | F = ma; P = Fv; momentum; F ≤ μR; work–energy method |
| Statistics | mean, variance, binomial, geometric, Poisson, sample mean, linear combination formulae | conditions for each model; continuity corrections; hypothesis test structure |
- Normal tables (Φ(z) and critical values) are printed in MF19, at the back.
- Coordinate geometry isn't given: gradient, midpoint, distance and the circle (x − a)² + (y − b)² = r² must be memorised.
Common mistakeLooking up a formula during the exam and misreading it. Practise with MF19 beside you, so you know where everything is.
4Calculators
What you may and may not do
- Allowed: scientific calculators are permitted on all 9709 papers (graphing calculators and those with symbolic algebra are not).
- Solving equations: you may use the calculator to solve a quadratic, but must show the method for anything that needs factorising (e.g. a cubic, via the factor theorem), and for any "show that" or "hence" question.
- Integrals: a numerical answer from the calculator scores nothing if the question asks you to integrate. Show the antiderivative and substitute the limits.
- Degree/radian mode: check it at the start of every trig question.
5The traps examiners report most
Pure Mathematics
- Not changing limits in a substitution, and losing dx terms (2024 Paper 3).
- Sign errors in the quotient rule and in integration by parts (uv − ∫v du).
- Not adjusting the interval when solving sin(θ + α) = k, so a solution is missed.
- Quadrant errors for arguments of complex numbers; giving arguments in degrees.
- Not rejecting impossible roots (eˣ = −1, ln of a negative, sin x = 2).
Mechanics and statistics
- R ≠ mg when other forces have vertical components; friction in the wrong direction.
- Momentum signs dropped for particles moving the other way.
- Hypothesis-test conclusions with no context, or stated as definite ("this proves").
- Continuity corrections missing, or in the wrong direction; σ² used as σ.
- Var(X − Y) = Var(X) − Var(Y): variances never subtract.
Linking questionTopic notes: Quadratics to Complex numbers for pure; Forces and equilibrium to Energy, work and power for mechanics; Representation of data to Hypothesis tests for statistics.
Test yourself — cover the answers first
Quick check
- Give the accuracy rule for angles in degrees.
- Is the equation of a circle given in MF19?
- Is integration by parts given in MF19?
- Which papers make up A Level with mechanics?
- May you solve a cubic on your calculator without working?
Show answers
- 1 decimal place
- no
- yes
- 1, 3, 4 and 5
- no, show the factorisation
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