Course DetailsHome / Courses Details
Mathematics (9709)
🎓 What is 9709?
This qualification includes AS Level (half qualification) and A Level (full qualification), designed to develop robust mathematical thinking—covering pure mathematics, mechanics, and probability & statistics. It's widely accepted by universities globally, including Ivy League and Russell Group institutions (cambridgeinternational.org).
🗺️ Structure & Pathways
You can choose different component combinations depending on your goals:
AS Level (2 papers):
-
Pure Mathematics only: Papers 1 + 2
-
Pure Mathematics + Mechanics: Papers 1 + 4
-
Pure Mathematics + Stats: Papers 1 + 5
A Level (4 papers):
-
Mandatory: Paper 1 (Pure 1) + Paper 3 (Pure 3)
-
Choose either Mechanics + Stats 1 or Stats 1 + Stats 2
(Mechanics 4 & Stats 6 cannot be combined) (cambridgeinternational.org).
📚 Content Overview
| Component | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Pure 1 (Paper 1) | Quadratics, functions, geometry, trigonometry, series, differentiation & integration (cambridgeinternational.org) |
| Pure 2 (Paper 2) | Advanced algebra, logs/exponentials, trig, calculus, numerical methods |
| Pure 3 (Paper 3) | Builds on earlier units plus vectors, differential equations, complex numbers |
| Mechanics (Paper 4) | Forces, equilibrium, motion, energy, momentum |
| Stats 1 (Paper 5) | Data handling, perm/combinations, probability, discrete distributions, normal dist |
| Stats 2 (Paper 6) | Poisson, sampling, estimation, hypothesis testing |
📋 Assessment Details
-
Papers 1 & 3: 1 hr 50 min, ~75 marks
-
Others: 1 hr 15 min, ~50 marks each (cambridgeinternational.org)
-
AS level: Pure 1 = 60%, Pure 2/Mechanics/Stats1 = 40%
-
A level: Pure 1 = 30%, Pure 3 = 30%, plus 20% each for chosen applied papers (cambridgeinternational.org)
🎯 Skills & Objectives
-
AO1 Knowledge & Understanding: Core mathematical methods & concepts
-
AO2 Application & Communication: Problem-solving, modeling, interpreting results (cambridgeinternational.org)
⏱️ Guided Learning Hours
About 180 hrs for AS, and 360 hrs for A Level. Prior knowledge is assumed from IGCSE or O Level .
✅ Why It Matters
-
Equips you for STEM university courses and careers
-
Globally recognised and comparable to UK A Levels (cambridgeinternational.org, cambridgeinternational.org)
🔹 Full Course Outline – CAIE Mathematics 9709
| Paper | Title | Main Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| P1 | Pure Mathematics 1 (AS) | - Quadratics and inequalities- Functions and graphs- Coordinate geometry- Circular measure- Trigonometry- Series- Differentiation- Integration |
| P2 | Pure Mathematics 2 (AS) | - Algebra and logarithms- Trigonometry- Differentiation and integration- Numerical solutions of equations |
| P3 | Pure Mathematics 3 (A2) | - Algebra (including complex numbers)- Functions and graphs- Trigonometry- Differentiation and integration- Vectors- Differential equations |
| P4 | Mechanics (AS/A2) | - Kinematics of motion in a straight line- Newton’s laws of motion- Forces and equilibrium- Energy, work and power- Momentum |
| P5 | Statistics 1 (AS/A2) | - Representation of data- Permutations and combinations- Probability- Discrete random variables- Normal distribution |
| P6 | Statistics 2 (A2 only) | - Continuous random variables- Poisson distribution- Linear combinations of random variables- Sampling and estimation- Hypothesis testing |
🔹 Progression Routes
AS Level Options (Choose two papers):
-
P1 + P2 → AS Pure Mathematics (only, no A2 path)
-
P1 + P4 → AS Pure + Mechanics
-
P1 + P5 → AS Pure + Statistics
A Level Options (4 papers total):
-
P1 + P3 (Pure Core) + Two of: P4, P5, or P6
Most common combinations:
-
Pure + Mechanics + Statistics (P1 + P3 + P4 + P5)
-
Pure + Statistics only (P1 + P3 + P5 + P6)
🔹 Skills Developed
-
Analytical thinking
-
Logical reasoning and proof
-
Real-world modeling
-
Mathematical communication
-
Application of mathematical methods to unfamiliar problems
📌 Essential Prerequisites
To succeed in 9709, a student should have:
✅ 1. Strong foundation in IGCSE/O Level Mathematics
-
It is assumed that students have completed Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics (0580 or 0607) or equivalent O Level Mathematics with a Grade A or B (preferably A* for faster pace).
-
Key topics that should be well understood:
-
Algebra (solving linear, quadratic, and simultaneous equations)
-
Graphs of functions
-
Indices and surds
-
Geometry and Mensuration
-
Trigonometry (basic identities, sine and cosine rules)
-
Sets, Venn Diagrams, Probability, and Statistics
-
Number properties and arithmetic
-
Basic differentiation and integration (if taken in Extended syllabus)
-
✅ 2. Fluency with algebraic manipulation
-
Factorising, simplifying rational expressions
-
Working with brackets, powers, and roots
-
Rearranging complex formulas
✅ 3. Confidence in using a scientific calculator
-
Understanding calculator functions for trigonometry, exponentials, statistical calculations, etc.
📌 Highly Recommended (but not compulsory)
➕ IGCSE Additional Mathematics (0606)
-
This is an ideal stepping-stone to 9709, especially for those taking:
-
Pure Mathematics 2 and 3
-
Mechanics or Statistics
-
-
It covers:
-
Quadratics, functions, logarithms, circular measure
-
Advanced algebra, calculus basics
-
Permutation & combination
-
Binomial expansion and more
-
🔹 Summary Table
| Area | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| IGCSE/O Level Mathematics | ✅ Yes (Extended level) | — |
| Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry basics | ✅ Yes | — |
| IGCSE Additional Mathematics | — | ✅ Yes |
| Scientific calculator skills | ✅ Yes | — |