MATHEMATICS-YMA01 · Pearson Edexcel International A Level
MATHEMATICS-YMA01/22
Paper 2
Mathematics · Winter 2026 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.6 / 5
75
90 min
Linear Programming Formulation and Graphical Methods
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
75
Duration
90 min
Session difficulty
3.6 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The January 2026 Decision Mathematics D1 paper presented a well-balanced yet rigorous assessment of the syllabus.
With a total of 75 marks spread across seven structured questions, it tested students' abilities in procedural precision, mathematical modeling, and logical reasoning.
Overall, the paper sits at a solid medium-hard difficulty level (4 out of 5 stars), primarily due to a highly demanding linear programming integer-grid question and a complex scheduling challenge.
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.
Procedural
Weight: 5100%Accuracy
Weight: 480%Mathematical
Weight: 360%Graphical Representation
Weight: 240%Analytical reasoning
Weight: 120%
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 “Determine” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Find” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Formulate” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Complete” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
No data available in official reports
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Linear programming
22 marks this session
Critical path analysis
19 marks this session
Algorithms on graphs II
15 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)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Decision Mathematics D1 (WDM11/01A):
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
Linear programming
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCritical path analysis
19 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAlgorithms on graphs II
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The January 2026 Decision Mathematics D1 paper presented a well-balanced yet rigorous assessment of the syllabus.
- 2Message
With a total of 75 marks spread across seven structured questions, it tested students' abilities in procedural precision, mathematical modeling, and logical reasoning.
- 3Message
Overall, the paper sits at a solid medium-hard difficulty level (4 out of 5 stars), primarily due to a highly demanding linear programming integer-grid question and a complex scheduling challenge.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
Winter 2026 2026
Mathematics
The January 2026 Decision Mathematics D1 paper presented a well-balanced yet rigorous assessment of the syllabus. With a total of 75 marks spread across seven structured questions, it tested students' abilities in procedural precision, mathematical modeling, and logical reasoning
The January 2026 Decision Mathematics D1 paper presented a well-balanced yet rigorous assessment of the syllabus.
With a total of 75 marks spread across seven structured questions, it tested students' abilities in procedural precision, mathematical modeling, and logical reasoning.
Overall, the paper sits at a solid medium-hard difficulty level (4 out of 5 stars), primarily due to a highly demanding linear programming integer-grid question and a complex scheduling challenge.
- Total marks
- 75
- Duration
- 90 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.6 / 5
Session analysis
The January 2026 Decision Mathematics D1 paper presented a well-balanced yet rigorous assessment of the syllabus. With a total of 75 marks spread across seven structured questions, it tested students' abilities in procedural precision, mathematical modeling, and logical reasoning. Overall, the paper sits at a solid medium-hard difficulty level (4 out of 5 stars), primarily due to a highly demanding linear programming integer-grid question and a complex scheduling challenge.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Decision Mathematics D1 (WDM11/01A):
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.
80% 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.
Graphical & Formulation Methods
41·3·55%
Algorithmic & Step-by-Step Procedures
34·4·45%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Simplex Algorithm
85%85%
Network Flows / Matching
75%75%
Paper analysis
The January 2026 Decision Mathematics D1 paper presented a well-balanced yet rigorous assessment of the syllabus. With a total of 75 marks spread across seven structured questions, it tested students' abilities in procedural precision, mathematical modeling, and logical reasoning. Overall, the paper sits at a solid medium-hard difficulty level (4 out of 5 stars), primarily due to a highly demanding linear programming integer-grid question and a complex scheduling challenge.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.