Pearson Edexcel

Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE

in Mathematics (8MA0)

Pearson Edexcel
Level 3 Advanced GCE in
Mathematics (9MA0)

Course Planner
Pearson Edexcel AS and A level Mathematics 2017
First teaching from September 2017
First certification from June 2018
Course Planner:
AS and A level in Mathematics 2017

Contents
Introduction 3
Assessment structure 3
Which delivery option 4
Delivery options 5
Course Planners 6
Delivery option 1: AS level only 7
Delivery option 2: A level only 8
Delivery option 3: A level only (co-teaching AS) 13
Delivery option 4: A level only (not co-teaching AS) 16
Appendix A 17

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
Course Planner
© Pearson Education Limited 2017
Introduction

This document has been written to help departments implement the 2017 Pearson Edexcel AS
and A level Mathematics specifications. A range of possible approaches to planning the
course are provided, these are suggestions only and none are intended to be prescriptive
(there are many teaching approaches and we are only listing a selection here). There are also
separate schemes of work available to aid the delivery of the content. Those can be found on
our website here.

Assessment structure
From 2017, AS Mathematics will be a standalone qualification: results from the AS cannot
contribute towards an A level. It equates to half the content of an A level, but the assessment
will be at a similar standard to the current AS (and therefore at a different standard from A
level). Both AS and A level qualifications will have linear assessment and all examinations
will be taken at the end of the course.

This de-coupling of AS from A level and the move from modular to linear assessment have
implications for planning and delivery which are considered in this course planner, but it will
be for centres to decide which approach is the most suitable for their staff and students.

AS level Mathematics
Paper 1: Pure Mathematics
AS pure mathematics content assessed
62.5%, 2 hours, 100 marks
AS applied content assessed
Paper 2: Statistics and Mechanics
37.5%, 1 hour 15 minutes, 60 marks Section A: Statistics (30 marks)
Section B: Mechanics (30 marks)

A level Mathematics
Paper 1: Pure Mathematics
33%, 2 hours, 100 marks Any A level pure mathematics content can be
Paper 2: Pure Mathematics assessed on either paper
33%, 2 hours, 100 marks
Any A level applied content assessed
Paper 3: Statistics and Mechanics
33%, 2 hours, 100 marks Section A: Statistics (50 marks)
Section B: Mechanics (50 marks)

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Which delivery option

The flowchart below outlines some of the key questions maths departments will need to
consider when planning for the new course. Each level links through to a delivery option on
the next page where more detail on the advantages and disadvantages is given, and to the
relevant course planner models below.

Do you want to offer an AS

course only?
Yes

No
Delivery option 1
Course planner models 1.1 and 1.2

Do you want to offer an AS

course as well as A level?
No
Yes

Delivery option 2
Course planner models 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4
Do you want to co-teach AS
and A level?
No

Yes
Delivery option 4
Course planner models 1.1 and 1.2
Delivery option 3 Course planner models 2.1 and 2.2
Course planner models 1.1 and 1.2
Course planner models 3.1 and 3.2

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
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Delivery options
Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4
Enrolment Only AS level is offered. Only A level is offered. Both AS and A level are offered. Both AS and A level are offered.
Students enrol and must Students enrol and must Students enrol on either an AS course Students enrol on either an AS course
do the full course. do the full course. or an A level course, but can transfer or an A level course, with no option to
later on. transfer later on.
Teaching All students are taught AS All students are taught A AS and A level student co-taught in AS and A level students taught in
level. level. the same class. separate classes.
End of Formal examination Formal examination All students sit AS exam. Teaching AS students sit AS exam.
year 1 finishes in time for revision for AS A level students sit internal exam on
exams. Students decide whether they year 1 content.
continue to A level once they have
their AS results.
Pros Greater flexibility in Greater flexibility in No need to run two separate AS and A Greater flexibility in ordering of A
ordering of AS level ordering of A level topics. level courses may be easier for level topics.
topics. Teaching can focus on A timetabling. Teaching can focus on AS demands
Teaching can focus on AS level demands only. Know from start which students will only or on A level demands only.
demands only. do A level.
More flexible for students – can
confirm or change their decisions
anytime through the course.
Cons Less flexible for students Need to prepare students in one class May need greater timetabling, staffing
– cannot change their for different assessments. flexibility and resource to run two
minds and transfer at a separate courses.
later date. Less flexible for students – cannot
change their minds and transfer at a
later date.

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Mathematics (8MA0)
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
Course Planner
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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Mathematics (8MA0)
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
Course Planner
© Pearson Education Limited 2017
Course Planners

The sections below suggest different approaches for structuring the maths course. As the
structure will depend on decisions made by the department with regards to AS and A level, as
well as on how the course itself will be delivered (whether pure content will be taught
alongside applied or before), each section relates to one or more of the delivery options
above.

The following assumptions apply to all course planners and to the separate topic specific
schemes of work.

 In all course planner models we have assumed 39 teaching weeks in each year,
indicated where revision is necessary and taken account of any examination time.
Although in practice term lengths vary we have assumed autumn term to take 15
weeks and each spring and summer terms to take 12 weeks each.
 Guided learning hours included in schemes of work assume delivery of AS
Mathematics to take 180 hours and A level Mathematics 360 hours. Since the ratio of
pure to applied content is 2:1 this brings the number of hours needed to deliver AS
Mathematics pure content to 120 and applied to 60 (30 for statistics and 30 for
mechanics); therefore to deliver the whole A level Mathematics course 240 hours
should be spent on pure and 120 on applied content (60 for statistics and 60 for
mechanics)*.

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 *Please see Appendix A for more detailed breakdown of guided learning hours

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Delivery option 1: AS level only
This model assumes only AS Mathematics is offered, which can be delivered either by
teaching pure mathematics, statistics and mechanics side by side (Course planner model 1.1)
or pure mathematics followed by one of the applied and then the other applied (pure →
statistics → mechanics or pure → mechanics → statistics) (Course planner model 1.2). Both
course planner models below assume delivering AS Mathematics in one year which can
easily be adapted if a two year model is required.

AS level Mathematics – Model 1.1

Pure Mathematics Statistics Mechanics
 Statistical sampling  Quantities and units in
Autumn 1  Algebra and functions  Data presentation and mechanics
interpretation  Kinematics 1
 Coordinate geometry
 Data presentation and
Autumn 2 in the (x, y) plane  Kinematics 1
interpretation
 Further algebra
 Trigonometry  Probability  Forces and Newton’s
Spring 1
 Vectors (2D)  Statistical distributions laws
 Differentiation  Statistical hypothesis  Forces and Newton’s
Spring 2
 Integration testing laws
 Exponentials and  Statistical hypothesis
 Kinematics 2
Summer 1 logarithms testing
Revision
Summer 2 Formal examination

AS level Mathematics – Model 1.2

Autumn 1  Algebra and functions
 Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane
Pure
Autumn 2 Mathematics  Further algebra
 Vectors (2D)
 Trigonometry

Spring 1  Differentiation
 Exponentials and logarithms
 Integration
Statistics
Mechanics
Spring 2  Statistical sampling
 Quantities and units in
 Data presentation and
mechanics
Applied interpretation
 Kinematics 1
 Probability
 Forces and Newton’s laws
 Statistical distributions
Summer 1 Kinematics 2
 Statistical hypothesis testing
Revision

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
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 Summer 2 Formal examination

Delivery option 2: A level only

This model assumes only A level Mathematics is offered which can be delivered either by
teaching pure mathematics, statistics and mechanics side by side (Course planner model 2.1)
or pure mathematics followed by one of the applied and then the other applied (pure →
statistics → mechanics or pure → mechanics → statistics) (Course planner model 2.2).

Course planner models 2.1 and 2.2 assume delivering A level Mathematics in one year
without defining which particular content area is being taught in which term. Both can easily
be adapted if a two year model is required or if there is a need for splitting the teaching of
pure and applied content any other ways.

Course planner models 2.3 and 2.4 assume delivering A level Mathematics over two years by
teaching AS content of the specification over five half terms of year one and the remaining
A level content from the last half term of year one all the way through year two (also five
terms). Both can be easily adapted if there is a need for splitting the teaching of pure and
applied content any other ways (for example teaching half pure content and all statistics
content in year one and remaining half of the pure content and all mechanics content in the
second year).

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
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 A level Mathematics – Model 2.1
Pure Mathematics: Statistics: Mechanics:

 Quantities and units

 Algebra and functions
 Statistical sampling in mechanics
Autumn 1  Coordinate geometry in
 Data presentation  Kinematics 1
the (x, y) plane
and interpretation (constant
 Further algebra
acceleration)
 Trigonometry  Probability  Forces & Newton’s
 Vectors (2D)  Statistical laws
 Differentiation distributions  Kinematics 2
Autumn 2
 Integration  Statistical (variable
Exponentials and hypothesis testing acceleration)
logarithms
 Proof
 Algebraic and partial
fractions  Moments
 Regression and
Spring 1  Functions and  Forces at any angle
correlation
modelling  Applications of
 Probability
 Series and sequences kinematics
 The binomial theorem
 Trigonometry
 Trigonometry
 Parametric equations  Applications of
Spring 2  The Normal
 Differentiation forces
distribution
 Numerical methods  Further kinematics
 Integration (part 1)
 Integration (part 2)
Summer 1  Vectors (3D)
Revision
Summer 2 Formal examination

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Mathematics (8MA0)
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
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 A level Mathematics – Model 2.2
 Proof
 Algebraic and partial fractions
Autumn 1  Algebra and functions
 Functions and modelling
 Coordinate geometry in the
 Series and sequences
(x, y) plane
Pure  The binomial theorem
 Further algebra
 Trigonometry
Autumn 2 Mathematic  Trigonometry
 Parametric equations
s  Vectors (2D)
 Differentiation
 Differentiation
 Numerical methods
 Integration
 Integration (part 1)
 Exponentials and logarithms
 Integration (part 2)
Spring 1
Vectors (3D)
Mechanics
Statistics  Quantities and units in
mechanics
 Statistical sampling
 Kinematics 1 (constant
Spring 2  Data presentation and
acceleration)
interpretation
 Forces & Newton’s laws
 Probability
Applied  Kinematics 2 (variable
 Statistical distributions
acceleration)
 Statistical hypothesis testing
 Moments
 Regression and correlation
 Forces at any angle
 Probability
Summer 1  Applications of kinematics
 The Normal distribution
 Applications of forces
 Further kinematics
Revision
Summer 2 Formal examination

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Mathematics (8MA0)
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
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 A level Mathematics – Model 2.3
AS content
Pure Mathematics Statistics Mechanics
 Statistical sampling  Quantities and units
 Algebra and
Autumn 1  Data presentation in mechanics
functions
and interpretation  Kinematics 1
 Coordinate
geometry in the  Data presentation
Autumn 2  Kinematics 1
(x, y) plane and interpretation
 Further algebra
 Trigonometry  Forces and
Spring 1  Probability
 Vectors (2D) Newton’s laws
Year 1

 Vectors (2D)  Statistical  Forces and

Spring 2
 Differentiation distributions Newton’s laws

 Integration
 Statistical
Summer 1  Exponentials and  Kinematics 2
hypothesis testing
logarithms
Remaining A level content
Pure Mathematics Statistics Mechanics
Summer 2  Proof
 Regression and
 Algebraic and  Moments
correlation
partial fractions
Autumn 1  Functions and  Probability  Forces at any angle
modelling
Year 2

 Series and
sequences
 The binomial
theorem

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Mathematics (8MA0)
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
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  Trigonometry
 The Normal  Applications of
Autumn 2  Parametric
distribution kinematics
equations
 Differentiation  The Normal  Applications of
Spring 1
 Numerical methods distribution forces
 The Normal
Spring 2  Integration  Further kinematics
distribution
 Vectors (3D)
Summer 1
Revision
Summer 2 Formal examination

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Mathematics (8MA0)
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
Course Planner
© Pearson Education Limited 2017
 A level Mathematics – Model 2.4
 Algebra and functions
Autumn 1
Pure  Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane
Mathematics  Further algebra
Autumn 2  Vectors (2D)
(AS content)  Trigonometry
 Differentiation  Exponentials and
Spring 1
 Integration logarithms
Statistics Mechanics
Year 1

Spring 2  Statistical sampling  Quantities and units in

 Data presentation and mechanics
Applied
interpretation  Kinematics 1
(AS content)
 Probability  Forces and Newton’s
Summer 1  Statistical distributions laws
 Statistical hypothesis testing Kinematics 2
 Proof  Functions and
Summer 2  Algebraic and partial modelling
fractions  Series and sequences
Pure
Mathematics  The binomial theorem
Autumn 1  Parametric equations
(remaining A  Trigonometry
level content)  Differentiation
Autumn 2  Integration (part 1)
 Numerical methods
 Integration (part 2)  Vectors (3D)
Spring 1
Mechanics
Year 2

Statistics  Moments
Spring 2 Applied  Forces at any angle
 Regression and correlation
(remaining A  Applications of
 Probability
level content) kinematics
 The Normal distribution
 Applications of forces
Summer 1  Further kinematics
Revision
Summer 2 Formal examination

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Mathematics (8MA0)
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
Course Planner
© Pearson Education Limited 2017
Delivery option 3: A level only (co-teaching AS)
This model assumes co-teaching students who chose AS and A level Mathematics. Courses
can be delivered either by teaching pure mathematics, statistics and mechanics side by side
(Course planner model 3.1) or pure mathematics followed by one of the applied and then the
other applied (pure → statistics → mechanics or pure → mechanics → statistics) (Course
planner model 3.2).

Both course planner models below assume delivering AS Mathematics content in year one
(with all students taking AS exams) and remaining A level Mathematics content in year two
for students who wish to continue with their education in the subject (to obtain the full A
level those students will have to sit exams again at the end of year two).

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Mathematics (8MA0)
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
Course Planner
© Pearson Education Limited 2017
 A level Mathematics – Model 3.1
AS content
Pure Mathematics Statistics Mechanics
 Statistical sampling  Quantities and units
 Algebra and
Autumn 1  Data presentation and in mechanics
functions
interpretation  Kinematics 1
 Coordinate geometry
 Data presentation and
Autumn 2 in the (x, y) plane  Kinematics 1
interpretation
 Further algebra
 Probability
 Trigonometry  Forces and Newton’s
Spring 1  Statistical
 Vectors (2D) laws
distributions
 Differentiation  Statistical hypothesis  Forces and Newton’s
Year 1

Spring 2
 Integration testing laws
 Exponentials and  Statistical hypothesis
 Kinematics 2
Summer 1 logarithms testing
Revision
Formal examination
Remaining A level content

Summer 2 Pure Mathematics Statistics Mechanics

 Proof
 Algebraic and partial
fractions
 Functions and
modelling
 Regression and
Autumn 1  Series and sequences  Moments
correlation
 The binomial
theorem

 Trigonometry
Autumn 2  Probability  Forces at any angle
 Parametric equations
Year 2

 Differentiation  The Normal  Applications of

Spring 1
 Numerical methods distribution kinematics
 The Normal  Applications of
Spring 2  Integration
distribution forces
 The Normal
 Vectors (3D)  Further kinematics
Summer 1 distribution
Revision
Summer 2 Formal examination

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Mathematics (8MA0)
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
Course Planner
© Pearson Education Limited 2017
18
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Mathematics (8MA0)
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
Course Planner
© Pearson Education Limited 2017
 A level Mathematics – Model 3.2
 Algebra and functions
Autumn 1
Pure  Coordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane
Mathematics  Further algebra
Autumn 2  Vectors (2D)
(AS content)  Trigonometry
 Differentiation  Exponentials and
Spring 1
 Integration logarithms
Statistics Mechanics
Spring 2  Statistical sampling  Quantities and units in
Year 1

 Data presentation and mechanics

Applied
interpretation  Kinematics 1
(AS content)
 Probability  Forces and Newton’s
 Statistical distributions laws
Summer 1
 Statistical hypothesis testing Kinematics 2
Revision
Formal examination

Summer 2  Proof
 Functions and
 Algebraic and partial
modelling
fractions
Pure
Mathematics  Series and sequences
Autumn 1  Trigonometry
(remaining A  The binomial theorem
level content)  Parametric equations  Numerical methods
Autumn 2
 Differentiation  Integration (part 1)
 Integration (part 2)  Vectors (3D)
Spring 1
Mechanics
Year 2

Statistics  Moments
Spring 2 Applied  Forces at any angle
 Regression and correlation
(remaining A  Applications of
 Probability
level content) kinematics
 The Normal distribution
 Applications of forces
Summer 1  Further kinematics
Revision
Summer 2 Formal examination

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
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Delivery option 4: A level only (not co-teaching AS)
This model assumes teaching AS and A level Mathematics groups separately (not co-
teaching). To do so delivery option 1 and 2 should be sufficient to find appropriate guidance.

It is worth mentioning that opting to teach AS and A level groups by following this delivery
option can cause difficulties for students who wish to transfer from A level into AS (very
much depending what the delivery option is for A level).

For example, an A level group which is being taught following a variation of model 2.4
where:

 students are studying the course over two years;

 students are learning AS pure content and all A level statistics content in year one;
 students are learning the remaining A level pure content and all A level mechanics
content in year two.

If students following this model would like to drop A level after a year of study they will find
it very difficult to transfer to AS and complete the AS examination at the end of year one due
to all mechanics content being taught in year two.

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Appendix A

A level Mathematics
Estimated Estimated
Unit Title Unit Title
hours hours
AS Mathematics: A level Mathematics:
Pure mathematics content Remaining pure mathematics content
1 Algebra and functions 27 1 Proof 3
Coordinate geometry in the
2 13 2 Algebraic and partial fractions 5
(x, y) plane
3 Further algebra 15 3 Functions and modelling 10
4 Trigonometry 16 4 Series and sequences 9
5 Vectors (2D) 14 5 The binomial theorem 7
6 Differentiation 12 6 Trigonometry 24
7 Integration 11 7 Parametric equations 5
8 Exponentials and logarithms 12 8 Differentiation 16
9 Numerical methods 8
10 Integration (part 1) 9
11 Integration (part 2) 19
12 Vectors (3D) 5
120 hours 120 hours
AS Mathematics: A level Mathematics:
Statistics Remaining statistics content
1 Statistical sampling 3 1 Regression and correlation 7
Data presentation and
2 12 2 Probability 7
interpretation
3 Probability 3 3 The Normal distribution 16
4 Statistical distributions 5
5 Statistical hypothesis testing 7
30 hours 30 hours
AS Mathematics: A level Mathematics:
Mechanics Remaining mechanics content
Quantities and units in
6 3 4 Moments 5
mechanics
Kinematics 1
7 10 5 Forces at any angle 6
(constant acceleration)
8 Forces & Newton’s laws 10 6 Applications of kinematics 5
Kinematics 2 8
9 7 7 Applications of forces
(variable acceleration)
8 Further kinematics 6
30 hours 30 hours

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Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Mathematics (8MA0)
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics (9MA0)
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