# Edexcel IAL Pure Maths 1 (WMA11): Topics, Format and How to Prepare

> Edexcel 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.

- Page: https://mathvsarham.com/articles/edexcel-ial-pure-maths-1-wma11/
- Author: Arham (https://mathvsarham.com/about/)
- Category: Edexcel International A Level Maths
- Part of: Edexcel International A Level Maths: Units, Grading and Resits Explained (https://mathvsarham.com/articles/edexcel-ial-maths/)
- Published: 2026-10-26
- Last checked: 2026-10-26

## Key takeaways

- 1 hour 30 minutes, 75 marks, all questions compulsory, calculator allowed.
- Available in January, June and October; compulsory for IAS and IAL Maths.
- Topics: algebra and functions, straight lines, trigonometry (sine and cosine rules, radians), differentiation, integration.
- The chain rule is not needed in P1, and integration is indefinite only.
- Some formulae are not in the booklet: quadratic formula, sine rule, ½ab sin C, arc length and sector area, and differentiating and integrating xⁿ.

Pure Mathematics 1 is the first unit almost every Edexcel IAL Maths student sits. It is compulsory for both the International AS (XMA01) and the International A Level (YMA01), and everything in P2 to P4 builds on it.

## What is the format of WMA11?

| Detail | Pure Mathematics 1 (WMA11/01) |
| --- | --- |
| Time | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Marks | 75, all questions compulsory |
| Calculator | Allowed (no symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration) |
| Formulae | Mathematical Formulae and Statistical Tables booklet provided |
| Series | January, June and October |
| Counts towards | IAS Mathematics, IAL Mathematics, and the Pure Mathematics qualifications |
| Grading | Converted to UMS out of 100; A is 80 |

## What topics are in P1?

**1. Algebra and functions**

* Laws of indices for all rational exponents.
* Surds, including rationalising denominators.
* Quadratic functions and their graphs; the discriminant (b² − 4ac > 0, = 0, < 0).
* Completing the square; solving quadratics by factorising, formula, calculator and completing the square.
* Simultaneous equations by substitution (one linear, one quadratic).
* Linear and quadratic inequalities: solving them and showing them graphically, with dotted and solid line conventions.
* Expanding and factorising polynomials up to degree 3, for example x³ + 4x² + 3x.
* Sketching curves: simple cubics, y = k/x and y = k/x², trig graphs, asymptotes, and using intersections to solve equations.
* Transformations: y = af(x), y = f(x) + a, y = f(x + a), y = f(ax).

**2. Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane**

* Equations of straight lines: y − y₁ = m(x − x₁) and ax + by + c = 0.
* Lines through two points, and parallel or perpendicular lines through a point.

**3. Trigonometry**

* The sine and cosine rules, including the ambiguous case of the sine rule, and area = ½ab sin C.
* Radians, arc length s = rθ and sector area A = ½r²θ.
* Graphs of sine, cosine and tangent: symmetries, periodicity, and curves such as y = 3 sin x or y = sin 2x.

**4. Differentiation**

* The derivative as the gradient of a tangent and as a rate of change; second derivatives.
* Differentiating xⁿ and sums, for example (2x + 5)(x − 1) after expanding.
* Tangents and normals at a point.
* The chain rule is **not** required in P1.

**5. Integration**

* Indefinite integration as the reverse of differentiation.
* Integrating xⁿ and related sums, differences and constant multiples (excluding n = −1).

Definite integration and areas come later, in P2.

## Which formulae do you have to know?

The specification lists formulae that will **not** appear in the booklet for P1:

* the quadratic formula;
* the sine rule and the area of a triangle, ½ab sin C;
* arc length rθ and sector area ½r²θ;
* the derivative of xⁿ and the integral of xⁿ.

Learn these until you can write them without thinking.

## How should you prepare for P1?

1. **Make algebra automatic.** Indices, surds, completing the square and factorising cubics appear across the whole paper.
2. **Sketch every graph by hand.** Transformations and curve sketching questions need clean, labelled sketches with intercepts and asymptotes.
3. **Practise the ambiguous case.** Sine rule questions with two possible angles are a classic P1 trap.
4. **Use topic questions, then full papers.** Work in 90-minute blocks, about 1.2 minutes per mark.
5. **Pick your series.** Because P1 runs in January, June and October, many students sit it early. If a result is lower than you wanted, you can resit it and the best result counts.

## How does P1 compare with Cambridge 9709 Paper 1?

They overlap but are not the same. Cambridge Paper 1 is longer (1 hour 50 minutes) and also includes functions with inverses and composites, series and the binomial expansion, the chain rule, stationary points and definite integration. In Edexcel those topics are spread across P1 to P4. See [Edexcel IAL vs Cambridge A Level Maths](https://mathvsarham.com/articles/edexcel-ial-vs-cambridge-a-level-maths/).

Back to the [Edexcel IAL Maths guide](https://mathvsarham.com/articles/edexcel-ial-maths/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Is a calculator allowed in Edexcel IAL P1?

Yes. Under the current specification (first exams January 2019), calculators may be used in WMA11. They must not do symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration.

### How long is the Edexcel IAL P1 exam?

1 hour 30 minutes for 75 marks, which is 1.2 minutes per mark.

### Is the chain rule in Edexcel IAL P1?

No. The specification says knowledge of the chain rule is not required for P1. It comes in later pure units.

### What formulae do I need to memorise for IAL P1?

The specification lists formulae that are not in the booklet: the quadratic formula, the sine rule, the area ½ab sin C, arc length rθ, sector area ½r²θ, the derivative of xⁿ and the integral of xⁿ.

## Sources

- [Pearson Edexcel International AS/A Level Mathematics specification, Issue 3: Unit P1](https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/International%20Advanced%20Level/Mathematics/2018/Specification-and-Sample-Assessment/international-a-level-maths-spec.pdf)

## Related lectures

- [Edexcel IAL Pure Maths 1 (P1) Demo Class | Unit 1 (WMA11) Syllabus & Strategy](https://mathvsarham.com/lectures/O7qyZQNBl8g/)
- [Solving Past Papers | Differentiation | Class 28 | AS Level P1 9709](https://mathvsarham.com/lectures/fhS3CrFYlFs/)
- [Introduction to Integration: Rules & Curve Equations | Class 29 | AS Level P1 9709](https://mathvsarham.com/lectures/t6I2Sne25_s/)

## Past papers

- [WMA11 Pure Mathematics 1 (P1)](https://mathvsarham.com/past-papers/)