PURE-MATHEMATICS-YPM01 · Pearson Edexcel International A Level
PURE-MATHEMATICS-YPM01/22
Paper 2
Pure Mathematics YPM01 · Winter 2026 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
300
360 min
Integration methods, parametric integration, and algebraic substitution
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
300
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The January 2026 Pure Mathematics examination suite (P1–P4) represents a solid Level 4 (Hard) challenge.
While Paper 1 and Paper 2 provided accessible entry points with standard algebraic and trigonometric tasks, Papers 3 and 4 pushed the limits of algebraic stamina, particularly through heavy integration setups, parametric calculus, and abstract proofs.
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%Geometric Reasoning
Weight: 778%Calculus & Differentiation
Weight: 556%Analysis Trigonometric
Weight: 444%Logical
Weight: 222%Proof
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 “Solve” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Find” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Sketch” 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 “Prove” 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
Integration (Unit P4: Pure Mathematics 4)
39 marks this session
Algebra and functions (Unit P1: Pure Mathematics 1)
34 marks this session
Trigonometry (Unit P3: Pure Mathematics 3)
19 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
Integration (Unit P4: Pure Mathematics 4)
Algebra and functions (Unit P1: Pure Mathematics 1)
Trigonometry (Unit P1: Pure Mathematics 1)
Trigonometry (Unit P3: Pure Mathematics 3)
Differentiation (Unit P3: Pure Mathematics 3)
Differentiation (Unit P4: Pure Mathematics 4)
Sequences and series (Unit P2: Pure Mathematics 2)
Algebra and functions (Unit P3: Pure Mathematics 3)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
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):
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
Integration (Unit P4: Pure Mathematics 4)
39 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAlgebra and functions (Unit P1: Pure Mathematics 1)
34 marks this session
Practise in RevuiTrigonometry (Unit P3: Pure Mathematics 3)
19 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 Pure Mathematics examination suite (P1–P4) represents a solid Level 4 (Hard) challenge.
- 2Message
While Paper 1 and Paper 2 provided accessible entry points with standard algebraic and trigonometric tasks, Papers 3 and 4 pushed the limits of algebraic stamina, particularly through heavy integration setups, parametric calculus, and abstract proofs.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
Winter 2026 2026
Pure Mathematics YPM01
The January 2026 Pure Mathematics examination suite (P1–P4) represents a solid Level 4 (Hard) challenge. While Paper 1 and Paper 2 provided accessible entry points with standard algebraic and trigonometric tasks, Papers 3 and 4 pushed the limits of algebraic stamina, particularly
The January 2026 Pure Mathematics examination suite (P1–P4) represents a solid Level 4 (Hard) challenge.
While Paper 1 and Paper 2 provided accessible entry points with standard algebraic and trigonometric tasks, Papers 3 and 4 pushed the limits of algebraic stamina, particularly through heavy integration setups, parametric calculus, and abstract proofs.
- Total marks
- 300
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The January 2026 Pure Mathematics examination suite (P1–P4) represents a solid Level 4 (Hard) challenge. While Paper 1 and Paper 2 provided accessible entry points with standard algebraic and trigonometric tasks, Papers 3 and 4 pushed the limits of algebraic stamina, particularly through heavy integration setups, parametric calculus, and abstract proofs.
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):
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.
73% 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.
Medium Structured
(6-9 marks)
132·17·44%
Long Structured
(10-16 marks)
114·10·38%
Short Answer
(1-5 marks)
54·18·18%
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.
Vector Lines Intersection and Shortest Distance
90%90%
Logarithmic Differentiation
85%85%
Numerical Methods (Cobweb/Staircase Diagrams)
80%80%
Executive Difficulty Verdict
The January 2026 Pure Mathematics examination suite (P1–P4) represents a solid Level 4 (Hard) challenge. While Paper 1 and Paper 2 provided accessible entry points with standard algebraic and trigonometric tasks, Papers 3 and 4 pushed the limits of algebraic stamina, particularly through heavy integration setups, parametric calculus, and abstract proofs.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Non-Calculator Rigour: Examiners strictly enforced the 'no calculator technology' clause. In quadratic and cubic equations, writing down roots without showing factorisation or quadratic formula steps immediately resulted in zero marks.
- Bracket Carelessness: In binomial expansions such as (1+kx)n (1+kx)^n (1+kx)n, candidates repeatedly wrote nkx2 n k x^2 nkx2 instead of n(n−1)2k2x2 \frac{n(n-1)}{2} k^2 x^2 2n(n−1)k2x2, ignoring the squaring of the coefficient k k k.
- Integration Constants: In differential equations, omitting the constant of integration +c +c +c at the point of separation blocked access to 5 out of 8 marks.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.