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9231 · Cambridge International AS Level

9231/11

Further Pure Mathematics 1

Mathematics - Further · June 2025 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.8/5

Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.8 / 5

Total marks

150

Duration

240 min

Most tested topic

Differential equations

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

150

Duration

240 min

Session difficulty

3.8 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

A comprehensive analysis of Cambridge International AS & A Level Further Mathematics (9231) Paper 1 (Further Pure Mathematics 1) and Paper 2 (Further Pure Mathematics 2) for May/June 2025.

2

The papers assess summation of series, roots of polynomials, proof by induction, transformations, polar coordinates, 3D vectors, rational graphs, complex roots, integration reduction formulas, differential equations, and matrices.

Question difficulty map

How candidates performed on each question in this series

No data available in official reports

Assessment objectives

Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary

Algebraic10
Rigorous Proof & Reasoning9
Calculus & Differentiation8
Integration7
Geometric & Graphical Reasoning6
Spatial Logical5
Proof & I3
Matrix Transformation2
Vector A1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

AlgebraicAlgebraicRigorous Proof & ReasoningRigorous Proof &ReasoningCalculus & DifferentiationCalculus &DifferentiationIntegrationIntegrationGeometric & Graphical ReasoningGeometric &GraphicalSpatial LogicalSpatial LogicalProof & IProof & IMatrix TransformationMatrixTransformationVector AVector A
SkillWeightShare
  • Algebraic

    Weight: 10100%
  • Rigorous Proof & Reasoning

    Weight: 990%
  • Calculus & Differentiation

    Weight: 880%
  • Integration

    Weight: 770%
  • Geometric & Graphical Reasoning

    Weight: 660%
  • Spatial Logical

    Weight: 550%
  • Proof & I

    Weight: 330%
  • Matrix Transformation

    Weight: 220%
  • Vector A

    Weight: 110%

Method marks watchlist

Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost

No data available in official reports

Recurring mistakes across years

Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject

No data available in official reports

Question choice intelligence

Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)

No data available in official reports

Level exemplars

What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like

No data available in official reports

Grade & admission context

How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards

Report type

Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards

Level A

Approx. 76% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 60% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 51% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 42% of maximum mark

Level E

Approx. 34% of maximum mark

Deep insights

What top candidates did

Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series

No data available in official reports

Command word playbook

How to match each command word to the expected response style

FindFrequency: 20

Match the expected response style for “Find” questions.

ShowFrequency: 14

Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.

SketchFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.

ProveFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Prove” questions.

DeduceFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.

VerifyFrequency: 2

Match the expected response style for “Verify” questions.

StateFrequency: 2

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 1 Further Pur…20m / 751 marks

Min per mark: 0

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Differential equations

20 marks this session

Integration

16 marks this session

Vectors

16 marks this session

Rational functions and graphs

15 marks this session

Hyperbolic functions

15 marks this session

MCQ trap analytics

Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary

No data available in official reports

Topic heatmap across years

Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject

Mark intensity

LowHigh
Topic
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Differential equations (Further Pure Mathematics 2)

18
24
42

Integration (Further Pure Mathematics 2)

23
19
42

Matrices (Further Pure Mathematics 2)

15
16
31

Differential equations

20
20

Integration

16
16

Vectors

16
16

Rational functions and graphs

15
15

Hyperbolic functions

15
15

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1 Further Pure Mathematics 1:

75 marks120 min

Paper 2 Further Pure Mathematics 2:

75 marks120 min

Marks you can still earn

Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit

No data available in official reports

Practise what examiners flagged

Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    A comprehensive analysis of Cambridge International AS & A Level Further Mathematics (9231) Paper 1 (Further Pure Mathematics 1) and Paper 2 (Further Pure Mathematics 2) for May/June 2025.

  • 2Message

    The papers assess summation of series, roots of polynomials, proof by induction, transformations, polar coordinates, 3D vectors, rational graphs, complex roots, integration reduction formulas, differential equations, and matrices.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2025 2025

Mathematics - Further

A comprehensive analysis of Cambridge International AS & A Level Further Mathematics (9231) Paper 1 (Further Pure Mathematics 1) and Paper 2 (Further Pure Mathematics 2) for May/June 2025. The papers assess summation of series, roots of polynomials, proof by induction, transforma

  • A comprehensive analysis of Cambridge International AS & A Level Further Mathematics (9231) Paper 1 (Further Pure Mathematics 1) and Paper 2 (Further Pure Mathematics 2) for May/June 2025.

  • The papers assess summation of series, roots of polynomials, proof by induction, transformations, polar coordinates, 3D vectors, rational graphs, complex roots, integration reduction formulas, differential equations, and matrices.

Total marks
150
Duration
240 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5

Session analysis

A comprehensive analysis of Cambridge International AS & A Level Further Mathematics (9231) Paper 1 (Further Pure Mathematics 1) and Paper 2 (Further Pure Mathematics 2) for May/June 2025. The papers assess summation of series, roots of polynomials, proof by induction, transformations, polar coordinates, 3D vectors, rational graphs, complex roots, integration reduction formulas, differential equations, and matrices.

Updated Jun 12, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1 Further Pure Mathematics 1:

75 marks120 min

Paper 2 Further Pure Mathematics 2:

75 marks120 min

Top chapters

Differential equations20 marks
Integration16 marks
Vectors16 marks
Rational functions and graphs15 marks
Hyperbolic functions15 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Differential equations20 marks
Integration16 marks
Vectors16 marks
Rational functions and graphs15 marks
Hyperbolic functions15 marks
Polar coordinates13 marks
Matrices (Further Pure Mathemat13 marks
Complex numbers11 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

77% within easy or medium reach

45
70
35
Easy: 45 marksMedium: 70 marksHard: 35 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Find20 times
Show14 times
Sketch4 times
Prove3 times
Deduce3 times
Verify2 times
State2 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

150Marks
  • Short Answer

    (1-4 marks)

    57·21·38%

  • Medium Answer

    (5-7 marks)

    53·9·35%

  • Long Answer

    (8-10 marks)

    40·4·27%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Differential equat…Rational functions…VectorsIntegrationHyperbolic functions

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

3.820133.520143.62015420163.820173.820184.22019420203.82021420224.220234.220243.82025

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 Further Pur…

37.55 m/min
751
20

Total marks

751

Total time

20 min

Avg pace

37.55

Cumulative marks ladder

The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.

03875113150A estimatedB estimatedC estimatedD estimatedE estimatedU estimated8152231446075808793102112127137150

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Skew Lines & Intersecting Lines

85%

85%

Cayley-Hamilton Matrix Inverse

75%

75%

Sum of Series by Method of Differences (alternate forms)

70%

70%

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
2h
Total marks
75
Weighting
50%
Question types
Structured Questions

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

9231/11 — Cambridge International AS Level Mathematics - Further (June 2025) | Revui