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A-Level Maths Past Papers

Past papers are the single best way to prepare for A-level maths exams. They show you exactly what examiners ask, how marks are allocated, and where you lose points under time pressure.

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A Level guideLast reviewed 25 September 20268 min readBy Dr Sarah Mitchell

Past papers are the single best way to prepare for A-level maths exams. They show you exactly what examiners ask, how marks are allocated, and where you lose points under time pressure.

Past papers are the single best way to prepare for A-level maths exams. They show you exactly what examiners ask, how marks are allocated, and where you lose points under time pressure.

All three main exam boards, Edexcel, AQA, and OCR, publish complete archives of question papers and mark schemes. This guide shows you where to find them, how they're structured, and how many you should complete before exam day.

Edexcel A-level maths past papers

Edexcel A-level Mathematics (9MA0) has three papers, each worth 100 marks and two hours long. Papers 1 and 2 cover pure maths. Paper 3 tests statistics and mechanics in equal measure.

Current specification launched June 2018. Papers from 2018 onwards match the content and format you'll face. Earlier legacy papers (pre-2017) use different topic weightings and are less useful for focused revision.

Find all Edexcel A-level maths past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports here: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/mathematics-2017.coursematerials.html

Verified Edexcel series (2018-2026):

Verified Edexcel series (2018-2026):
SeriesPapers 1-3Mark SchemesExaminer Reports
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Use the Pearson materials hub above to download the exact PDFs for the series you need. Summer series typically appear in late August. November series arrive by mid-January.

The Edexcel A-level maths formula sheet is provided in every exam. Practise with it so you know which formulae are given and which you must memorise.

AQA A-level maths past papers

AQA A-level Mathematics (7357) follows the same three-paper structure. Papers 1 and 2 are pure. Paper 3 splits 50 marks statistics, 50 marks mechanics. Each paper is 100 marks, two hours.

The current specification began June 2017. Papers from 2017 onwards are directly relevant. Pre-2017 legacy papers cover different content and question styles.

Find all AQA A-level maths past papers and mark schemes here: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/as-and-a-level/mathematics-7357/assessment-resources

Verified AQA series (2017-2026):

Verified AQA series (2017-2026):
SeriesPapers 1-3Mark SchemesExaminer Reports
June 2026VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
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June 2024VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
June 2023VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
June 2022VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
June 2021Special conditionsSpecial conditionsSpecial conditions
Autumn 2020VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
June 2019VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
June 2018VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
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AQA provides a combined PDF download for each series. Mark schemes include detailed working and common errors. Examiner reports explain where candidates typically lose marks.

June 2026 grade boundaries for AQA 7357 (max 300 marks): A*: 260 | A: 219 | B: 182 | C: 145 | D: 108 | E: 72

Full historical boundaries: A-level grade boundaries

OCR A-level maths past papers

OCR offers two A-level maths specifications. Mathematics A (H240) is the more common route and matches the structure used by AQA and Edexcel. Mathematics B (MEI) has different papers and teaching sequences.

This guide covers H240 only. If your centre uses MEI, check the MEI-specific assessment page.

OCR H240 has three papers: Pure Mathematics and Statistics (100 marks, two hours), Pure Mathematics and Mechanics (100 marks, two hours), Pure Mathematics (100 marks, two hours). All current-spec papers date from June 2018 onwards.

Find all OCR H240 past papers here: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/mathematics-a-h230-h240-from-2017/assessment/

Verified OCR H240 series (2018-2026):

Verified OCR H240 series (2018-2026):
SeriesPapers 1-3Mark SchemesExaminer Reports
June 2026VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
June 2025VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
June 2024VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
June 2023VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
June 2022VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
June 2021Special conditionsSpecial conditionsSpecial conditions
Autumn 2020VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
June 2019VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE
June 2018VERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCEVERIFY_BOARD_SOURCE

OCR publishes papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports as separate PDFs. Use the assessment page filter to select the series and resource type you need.

June 2026 grade boundaries for OCR H240 (max 300 marks): A*: 250 | A: 208 | B: 172 | C: 136 | D: 100 | E: 65

How many past papers should you do?

At least six full sets under timed conditions. That means 18 papers total: six each for Papers 1, 2, and 3. Complete them in two-hour slots with no notes, calculator restrictions matching your exam, and the formula sheet only.

Start with older papers (2018-2020) to learn question patterns. Save the most recent two years for final mocks under full exam conditions. This leaves fresh material for checking readiness close to exam day.

Mark your work immediately. Read the mark scheme line by line. Most A-level maths marks are method marks, not just final answers. You earn points for showing clear working, correct substitutions, and logical steps, even if arithmetic errors appear later.

Examiner reports show the exact mistakes that cost marks every year: missing units, rounding too early, skipping intermediate steps in proofs, misreading "show that" questions. Read the reports for the papers you complete. They tell you what examiners reward and what they penalise.

If a topic appears weak across multiple papers, go back to your notes and worked examples. Rework that content, then attempt those question types again in a different past paper. Repetition under exam conditions builds speed and accuracy.

Track your raw scores. Convert them to grades using the boundaries above. If you're consistently hitting your target grade six weeks before exams, you're on track. If not, increase your paper volume and focus on your lowest-scoring topics.

Lift College's A-level Mathematics course includes video explanations for every specification topic, worked examples, and a structured revision plan. You can complete past papers alongside our lessons to fill gaps as you find them.

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I find A-level maths past papers for free?
All three exam boards publish complete archives for free. Use the official links in this guide: AQA 7357 assessment resources, Pearson Edexcel 9MA0 course materials, and OCR H240 assessment page. Papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports are available as PDFs with no registration required.
How far back should I go when practising A-level maths papers?
Use papers from June 2018 onwards for Edexcel and OCR, June 2017 onwards for AQA. These match the current specification. Earlier legacy papers test different content and are less useful. If you run out of current-spec papers, try papers from a different exam board rather than using outdated legacy material.
What's the difference between Edexcel, AQA, and OCR A-level maths?
All three boards follow the same DfE specification. Papers 1 and 2 are pure maths. Paper 3 tests statistics and mechanics. Total marks, exam length, and grade boundaries are similar. Question wording and layouts vary slightly, but the mathematical content is identical. Most students find their own board's past papers most useful because they match the phrasing and structure they'll see in exams.
Should I do past papers open book or timed?
Start open book to learn question types and mark scheme expectations. Once you're familiar with a topic, switch to timed conditions. Complete at least six full sets of all three papers under strict two-hour limits with only the formula sheet and approved calculator. Timed practice builds exam stamina and reveals time management weaknesses you won't find in open-book revision.
How do I use mark schemes effectively?
Read the mark scheme before you start marking. A-level maths uses method marks (M), accuracy marks (A), and sometimes B marks for correct results. You can earn M marks even with arithmetic errors if your method is sound. Compare your working line by line with the scheme. If you lose marks, rewrite the solution using the mark scheme's structure, then attempt a similar question from a different paper to check you've fixed the gap.