GCE AS/A Level Mathematics Specification (WJEC)

General Information

• Teaching from 2017
• AS awards from 2018
• A Level awards from 2018
• Regulated by Qualifications Wales
• Not available to centers in England

Version History

• Version 2 (March 2019): Amended 'Making entries' section for resit rules clarification.

Structure of Qualification

• Total Units: 4 (2 for AS and 2 for A2)
• All units are compulsory

Unit Overview

AS Units

• AS Unit 1: Pure Mathematics A

  • Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • 25% of qualification (120 marks)
  • Includes structured and unstructured questions on any part of the unit content

• AS Unit 2: Applied Mathematics A

  • Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 15% of qualification (75 marks)
  • Two sections: Statistics and Mechanics

A2 Units

• A2 Unit 3: Pure Mathematics B

  • Written exam: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • 35% of qualification (120 marks)

• A2 Unit 4: Applied Mathematics B

  • Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 25% of qualification (80 marks)
  • Sections: Statistics and Differential Equations & Mechanics

Assessment and Weighting

• Assessment Objectives

  • AO1: Use and apply standard techniques
  • AO2: Reason, interpret, and communicate mathematically
  • AO3: Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts

• AO Weighting:

  • AS Units: AO1 (20%), AO2 (10%), AO3 (10%)
  • A2 Units: AO1 (30%), AO2 (15%), AO3 (15%)

Subject Content

Pure Mathematics

• Proof: Deduction, exhaustion, and counter example.
• Algebra and Functions: Laws of indices, surds, quadratic functions.
• Coordinate Geometry: Equations of straight lines and circles.
• Sequences and Series: Arithmetic and geometric progressions.
• Trigonometry: Definitions, sine and cosine rules.
• Exponentials and Logarithms: Functions and graphing.
• Differentiation: Derivatives, tangents, normals, and optimization.
• Integration: Definite and indefinite integrals.
• Vectors: Vector operations and understanding.

Applied Mathematics

• Statistics
  • Sampling techniques, data presentation, probability distributions, hypothesis testing.
• Mechanics
  • Kinematics, forces, Newton's laws, vectors.
• Differential Equations: Modelling with equations in context.

Technical Information

• Entry Codes: Detailed for English and Welsh mediums
• Grading: AS (grades A-E), A Level (grades A*-E)
• Uniform Mark Scale (UMS): Used for grading consistency*

Appendices

• Appendix A: Mathematical notation
• Appendix B: Mathematical formulae and identities

Note: Calculators are required for exams with specific capabilities allowed during assessments.