MATHEMATICS-YMA01 · Pearson Edexcel International A Level
MATHEMATICS-YMA01/12
Paper 1
Mathematics · November 2025 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
450
540 min
Algebraic Modeling and Calculus Processes
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
450
Duration
540 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The overall difficulty for the October 2025 cash-in suite sits at a firm 3.5 out of 5.
While Pure Mathematics 1 and Statistics 1 offered highly accessible entry-level marks, Pure Mathematics 3 and Mechanics 1 acted as strong differentiators.
The exam papers featured a noticeable rise in questions carrying the explicit warning: 'Solutions relying on calculator technology are not acceptable.' This shift strictly penalised candidates who relied on numerical solvers without showing step-by-step algebraic methods.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Algebraic Manipulation
Weight: 9100%Calculus & Differentiation
Weight: 778%Integration Mathematical
Weight: 667%Statistical Analysis
Weight: 444%Spatial
Weight: 222%Vector
Weight: 111%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level A*
Approx. 90% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 80% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 70% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 50% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 40% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Match the expected response style for “Find” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Solve” questions.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Prove” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Algebra and functions (P1)
39 marks this session
Dynamics of a particle moving in a straight line or plane (M1)
26 marks this session
Integration (P4)
23 marks this session
Discrete random variables (S1)
23 marks this session
Trigonometry (P3)
21 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Linear programming
Critical path analysis
Algebra and functions (P1)
Algebra and functions (Unit P1)
Integration (Unit P4)
Algorithms on graphs II
Dynamics of a particle moving in a straight line or plane (Unit M1)
Dynamics of a particle moving in a straight line or plane (M1)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Pure Mathematics P1 (WMA11/01A): Pure Mathematics P2 (WMA12/01A): Pure Mathematics P3 (WMA13/01A): Pure Mathematics P4 (WMA14/01A): Mechanics M1 (WME01/01A): Statistics S1 (WST01/01A):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Algebra and functions (P1)
39 marks this session
Practise in RevuiDynamics of a particle moving in a straight line or plane (M1)
26 marks this session
Practise in RevuiIntegration (P4)
23 marks this session
Practise in RevuiDiscrete random variables (S1)
23 marks this session
Practise in RevuiTrigonometry (P3)
21 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The overall difficulty for the October 2025 cash-in suite sits at a firm 3.5 out of 5.
- 2Message
While Pure Mathematics 1 and Statistics 1 offered highly accessible entry-level marks, Pure Mathematics 3 and Mechanics 1 acted as strong differentiators.
- 3Message
The exam papers featured a noticeable rise in questions carrying the explicit warning: 'Solutions relying on calculator technology are not acceptable.' This shift strictly penalised candidates who relied on numerical solvers without showing step-by-step algebraic methods.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
November 2025 2025
Mathematics
The overall difficulty for the October 2025 cash-in suite sits at a firm 3.5 out of 5. While Pure Mathematics 1 and Statistics 1 offered highly accessible entry-level marks, Pure Mathematics 3 and Mechanics 1 acted as strong differentiators. The exam papers featured a noticeable
The overall difficulty for the October 2025 cash-in suite sits at a firm 3.5 out of 5.
While Pure Mathematics 1 and Statistics 1 offered highly accessible entry-level marks, Pure Mathematics 3 and Mechanics 1 acted as strong differentiators.
The exam papers featured a noticeable rise in questions carrying the explicit warning: 'Solutions relying on calculator technology are not acceptable.' This shift strictly penalised candidates who relied on numerical solvers without showing step-by-step algebraic methods.
- Total marks
- 450
- Duration
- 540 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The overall difficulty for the October 2025 cash-in suite sits at a firm 3.5 out of 5. While Pure Mathematics 1 and Statistics 1 offered highly accessible entry-level marks, Pure Mathematics 3 and Mechanics 1 acted as strong differentiators. The exam papers featured a noticeable rise in questions carrying the explicit warning: 'Solutions relying on calculator technology are not acceptable.' This shift strictly penalised candidates who relied on numerical solvers without showing step-by-step algebraic methods.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Pure Mathematics P1 (WMA11/01A): Pure Mathematics P2 (WMA12/01A): Pure Mathematics P3 (WMA13/01A): Pure Mathematics P4 (WMA14/01A): Mechanics M1 (WME01/01A): Statistics S1 (WST01/01A):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
78% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Structured/Multi-part
315·32·70%
Proof & Modeling
90·8·20%
Short Answer
45·12·10%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Pure Mathematics P1
0.50 m/minTotal marks
20
Total time
40 min
Avg pace
0.50
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Vectors: Closest approach and skew lines (P4)
90%90%
Statistics: Normal Approximation to Binomial (S1/S2)
85%85%
Dynamics: Connected particles with variable acceleration (M2/M1)
82%82%
October 2025 Difficulty Verdict
The overall difficulty for the October 2025 cash-in suite sits at a firm 3.5 out of 5. While Pure Mathematics 1 and Statistics 1 offered highly accessible entry-level marks, Pure Mathematics 3 and Mechanics 1 acted as strong differentiators. The exam papers featured a noticeable rise in questions carrying the explicit warning: 'Solutions relying on calculator technology are not acceptable.' This shift strictly penalised candidates who relied on numerical solvers without showing step-by-step algebraic methods.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- The 'No Calculator' Trap: In P1 Q10 and P2 Q5, many candidates lost method marks by writing down roots directly. Every intermediate factorisation and rationalisation step must be displayed.
- Connected Particles and Tension: In Mechanics 1, a recurring error was treating tension as constant across disconnected parts of the system or forgetting to resolve gravity components parallel to inclined planes.
- Premature Rounding: In Statistics 1 and Mechanics 1, rounding intermediate values (like acceleration or correlation values) to 2 significant figures ruined the accuracy of the final answers. Always keep exact surds or at least 4 decimal places in your calculator until the final step.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.