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Pure 1 is the first Pure unit of the Edexcel International A-Level in Mathematics. Every topic below has exam-style questions and full worked solutions, free to download, plus interactive practice that generates unlimited new questions.
What's on Pure 1
Pure 1 covers nine topics: algebraic expressions including surds and index laws; quadratics and the discriminant; equations and inequalities; graphs and transformations; straight line graphs; trigonometric ratios with the sine and cosine rules; radians, arcs and sectors; differentiation; and integration. Calculus is where most marks are lost. Differentiation and integration together carry a large share of the paper, and the later questions usually combine them with coordinate geometry — find the equation of a tangent, then integrate to find the area between the curve and that line. Students who treat those as separate topics struggle with the questions that join them. The other reliable source of lost marks is exactness. Surds, radians and the discriminant all produce answers that should be left in exact form, and rounding early costs accuracy marks even when the method is right.
How Pure 1 is examined
Pure 1 is a written paper of 1 hour 30 minutes worth 75 marks, sat in the January, June or October series. It counts for one sixth of the full International A-Level, or one third of the International Advanced Subsidiary. There are usually around nine questions in ascending order of difficulty, with the last two carrying the most marks and drawing on more than one topic. A calculator is allowed, but not one that does symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration. Working must be shown — answers without working rarely gain full credit, and method marks are available even when the final answer is wrong.
Practise Pure 1 by topic
Each engine generates a new question every time and marks it instantly. Algebra — quadratics, surds, indices, inequalities Coordinate Geometry — straight line graphs Trigonometry — ratios, sine and cosine rules, radians Differentiation Integration Guided courses for every Pure 1 topic are in the courses hub, and printable worksheets with full solutions are in the worksheets library.
Pure 1 questions — common questions
How long is the Pure 1 exam? 1 hour 30 minutes, worth 75 marks. How much of the International A-Level is Pure 1? One sixth of the full IAL, or one third of the International Advanced Subsidiary. Is iAL Pure 1 the same as A-Level Pure 1? No. The International A-Level is unit-based, with six separate papers taken in January, June or October. The domestic A-Level (9MA0) is linear, with three longer papers at the end of the course. The content overlaps heavily but is grouped differently. Can I use a calculator in Pure 1? Yes, but not one with symbolic algebra, differentiation or integration, and not one storing retrievable formulae. When can I sit Pure 1? January, June and October series.