Main guide: Edexcel International A Level Maths
Edexcel International A Level Maths: Units, Grading and Resits Explained
Edexcel International A Level Maths (YMA01) is six exams of 1 hour 30 minutes and 75 marks each: Pure 1 to 4 plus two applied units from Mechanics, Statistics and Decision. The AS (XMA01) is Pure 1, Pure 2 and one applied unit. Units can be sat in January, June or October, any unit can be resat with the best result counting, and A* needs an overall A plus 180 out of 200 UMS on P3 and P4.
Key takeaways
- IAL Maths (YMA01) = P1, P2, P3, P4 + one of: M1 & S1, M1 & D1, M1 & M2, S1 & D1, S1 & S2.
- IAS Maths (XMA01) = P1, P2 + one of M1, S1 or D1.
- Every unit is 1 hour 30 minutes, 75 marks, calculator allowed, formula booklet provided.
- Units run in January and June; P1 to P4, M1, M2, S1 and S2 also run in October. Any unit can be resat.
- A* = at least 480/600 UMS overall and at least 180/200 UMS across P3 and P4.
Pearson Edexcel International A Level (IAL) Maths is the main alternative to Cambridge 9709. It is modular: you sit shorter unit exams across several series, bank the results and cash them in for an AS or A Level. This guide explains how it fits together.
What are the units?
The specification (first teaching September 2018) has 14 equally weighted units. Each exam is 1 hour 30 minutes and 75 marks.
| Unit | Code | Available |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Mathematics 1 (P1) | WMA11 | January, June, October |
| Pure Mathematics 2 (P2) | WMA12 | January, June, October |
| Pure Mathematics 3 (P3) | WMA13 | January, June, October |
| Pure Mathematics 4 (P4) | WMA14 | January, June, October |
| Mechanics 1 (M1) | WME01 | January, June, October |
| Mechanics 2 (M2) | WME02 | January, June, October |
| Mechanics 3 (M3) | WME03 | January, June |
| Statistics 1 (S1) | WST01 | January, June, October |
| Statistics 2 (S2) | WST02 | January, June, October |
| Statistics 3 (S3) | WST03 | January, June |
| Decision Mathematics 1 (D1) | WDM11 | January, June |
| Further Pure 1 to 3 (FP1 to FP3) | WFM01 to WFM03 | January, June |
FP1 to FP3, M3 and S3 are for Further Mathematics and Pure Mathematics qualifications, not the Mathematics A Level.
Which units make the AS and the A Level?
International AS in Mathematics (XMA01): P1 and P2, plus one of M1, S1 or D1.
International A Level in Mathematics (YMA01): P1, P2, P3 and P4, plus one of these pairs:
- M1 and S1
- M1 and D1
- M1 and M2
- S1 and D1
- S1 and S2
There is no S2 without S1 and no M2 without M1. Choosing your pair is covered in Edexcel IAL unit choices.
A unit result can only be used once. If you also take Further Mathematics, the two qualifications must use 12 different units.
How is IAL Maths graded?
Each unit’s raw mark is converted to a uniform mark (UMS) out of 100. The grade boundaries in UMS are fixed:
| Max | A | B | C | D | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Each unit | 100 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 40 |
| IAS (3 units) | 300 | 240 | 210 | 180 | 150 | 120 |
| IAL (6 units) | 600 | 480 | 420 | 360 | 300 | 240 |
The raw marks needed for each UMS boundary change every series; Pearson publishes them after each exam session.
A* is only awarded for the full A Level. You need grade A overall (480 or more out of 600) and at least 180 out of 200 UMS across P3 and P4 combined. A strong applied unit cannot rescue weak P3 and P4 scores for the A*.
Resits
Pearson’s specification says you can resit any unit, whether or not you have cashed in, and if you resit more than once the best result counts. Combined with three exam series a year, this is the biggest structural difference from Cambridge. See IAL vs Cambridge A Level.
Calculators and formulae
- Calculators are allowed in every unit, including P1. They must not do symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration, or connect to other devices.
- The booklet Mathematical Formulae and Statistical Tables is provided. Some formulae you must know are not in it, and the specification lists them for each unit (for P1: the quadratic formula, the sine rule, area = ½ab sin C, arc length rθ, sector area ½r²θ, and differentiating and integrating xⁿ).
What is in the Pure units?
- P1: algebra and functions, straight-line coordinate geometry, trigonometry (including the sine and cosine rules and radians), differentiation, integration. See the P1 (WMA11) guide.
- P2: proof, algebra and functions, coordinate geometry, sequences and series, exponentials and logarithms, trigonometry, differentiation, integration.
- P3: algebra and functions, trigonometry, exponentials and logarithms, differentiation, integration.
- P4: proof, algebra and functions, coordinate geometry (including parametric equations), binomial expansion, differentiation, integration (including first-order differential equations), vectors.
A typical plan
Many schools teach P1, P2 and one applied unit in the first year (the IAS) and P3, P4 and a second applied unit in the second. Because units run in January, June and October, you can spread exams out, for example sitting P1 in January and P2 in June. Plan with your exam centre: entry deadlines and fees apply to every series.
Studying Cambridge instead? See the Cambridge 9709 guide.
Everything in this guide
- Edexcel IAL Maths Unit Choices: M1, S1, S2 or D1?For Edexcel IAL Maths you choose two applied units, and only five pairs are allowed: M1 and S1, M1 and D1, M1 and M2, S1 and D1, or S1 and S2. M1 and S1 is the most flexible choice because each also works as the third unit of the AS. Pick Mechanics if you like physics-style problems, Statistics if you prefer probability and data.
- Edexcel IAL Pure Maths 1 (WMA11): Topics, Format and How to PrepareEdexcel IAL Pure Mathematics 1 (WMA11/01) is a 1 hour 30 minute exam worth 75 marks, sat in January, June or October. It covers algebra and functions, straight-line coordinate geometry, trigonometry, differentiation and indefinite integration. A calculator is allowed, and P1 is compulsory for both the International AS and A Level in Maths.
- Edexcel IAL vs Cambridge A Level Maths: Which Should You Take?Neither is officially easier. Cambridge 9709 is four longer papers sat in June or November and graded on raw-mark thresholds. Edexcel IAL Maths (YMA01) is six 90-minute unit exams sat in January, June or October, graded in UMS, with unlimited resits where the best result counts. Choose Edexcel for flexibility and resits, Cambridge for fewer, longer exams.
Frequently asked questions
- How many exams are in Edexcel IAL Maths?
- Six for the full International A Level: Pure Mathematics 1 to 4 and two applied units. The International AS is three: P1, P2 and one of M1, S1 or D1.
- How do you get an A* in Edexcel IAL Maths?
- You need grade A overall (at least 480 of 600 UMS) and at least 180 of the 200 UMS available across P3 and P4 combined.
- Can I resit Edexcel IAL Maths units?
- Yes. Pearson's specification says students can resit any unit, and if a unit is resat more than once the best result counts towards the final grade.
- When are Edexcel IAL Maths exams?
- All units are assessed in January and June. P1, P2, P3, P4, M1, M2, S1 and S2 are also available in October.
- Is a calculator allowed in Edexcel IAL Pure Maths 1?
- Yes. Under the current specification, calculators may be used in every unit, including P1. Calculators that do symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration are not allowed.
Sources
Checked against these official documents on 26 Oct 2026. Boards update them, so check the latest version before your exam.
