MATHEMATICS-XMA01 · Pearson Edexcel International AS Level
MATHEMATICS-XMA01/22
Paper 2
Mathematics · Winter 2026 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
300
360 min
Algebra and functions (Unit P1: Pure Mathematics 1)
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
300
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The January 2026 IAS Mathematics exam series presented a robust test of algebraic precision, physical modeling, and statistical reasoning.
Across Pure Mathematics (P1 and P2), Mechanics (M1), and Statistics (S1), candidates encountered several challenging multi-stage questions demanding not just mechanical recall, but deep conceptual flexibility.
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
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Algebraic Manipulation
Weight: 10100%Physical
Weight: 880%Modeling
Weight: 770%Statistical Analysis
Weight: 660%Geometric
Weight: 440%Proof
Weight: 330%Graphical
Weight: 220%Analysis
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
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level A
Approx. 80% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 70% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 50% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 40% 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
Match the expected response style for “Find” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Solve” questions.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Match the expected response style for “down” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.
Support your choice with specific evidence from data or the scenario given.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
No data available in official reports
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Algebra and functions (Unit P1: Pure Mathematics 1)
34 marks this session
Dynamics of a particle moving in a straight line or plane (Unit M1: Mechanics 1)
32 marks this session
Probability (Unit S1: Statistics 1)
23 marks this session
Representation and summary of data (Unit S1: Statistics 1)
22 marks this session
Sequences and series (Unit P2: Pure Mathematics 2)
21 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
Dynamics of a particle moving in a straight line or plane (Unit M1: Mechanics 1)
Algebra and functions (Unit P1)
Algebra and functions (Unit P1: Pure Mathematics 1)
Representation and summary of data (Unit S1: Statistics 1)
Dynamics of a particle moving in a straight line or plane (Unit M1)
Vectors in mechanics (Unit M1: Mechanics 1)
Vectors in mechanics (Unit M1)
Kinematics of a particle moving in a straight line (Unit M1: Mechanics 1)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Pure Mathematics P1 (WMA11/01A): Pure Mathematics P2 (WMA12/01A): Mechanics M1 (WME01/01A): Statistics S1 (WST01/01A):
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
Algebra and functions (Unit P1: Pure Mathematics 1)
34 marks this session
Practise in RevuiDynamics of a particle moving in a straight line or plane (Unit M1: Mechanics 1)
32 marks this session
Practise in RevuiProbability (Unit S1: Statistics 1)
23 marks this session
Practise in RevuiRepresentation and summary of data (Unit S1: Statistics 1)
22 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSequences and series (Unit P2: Pure Mathematics 2)
21 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The January 2026 IAS Mathematics exam series presented a robust test of algebraic precision, physical modeling, and statistical reasoning.
- 2Message
Across Pure Mathematics (P1 and P2), Mechanics (M1), and Statistics (S1), candidates encountered several challenging multi-stage questions demanding not just mechanical recall, but deep conceptual flexibility.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
Winter 2026 2026
Mathematics
The January 2026 IAS Mathematics exam series presented a robust test of algebraic precision, physical modeling, and statistical reasoning. Across Pure Mathematics (P1 and P2), Mechanics (M1), and Statistics (S1), candidates encountered several challenging multi-stage questions de
The January 2026 IAS Mathematics exam series presented a robust test of algebraic precision, physical modeling, and statistical reasoning.
Across Pure Mathematics (P1 and P2), Mechanics (M1), and Statistics (S1), candidates encountered several challenging multi-stage questions demanding not just mechanical recall, but deep conceptual flexibility.
- Total marks
- 300
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The January 2026 IAS Mathematics exam series presented a robust test of algebraic precision, physical modeling, and statistical reasoning. Across Pure Mathematics (P1 and P2), Mechanics (M1), and Statistics (S1), candidates encountered several challenging multi-stage questions demanding not just mechanical recall, but deep conceptual flexibility.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Pure Mathematics P1 (WMA11/01A): Pure Mathematics P2 (WMA12/01A): Mechanics M1 (WME01/01A): Statistics S1 (WST01/01A):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
73% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Structured/Long Answer
(7-11 marks)
116·14·39%
Medium Answer
(4-6 marks)
114·25·38%
Short Answer
(1-3 marks)
42·20·14%
Extended/Modeling Answer
(12+ marks)
28·2·9%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
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.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Trigonometric Identites & Addition Formulae (Unit P3: Pure Mathematics 3)
95%95%
Hypothesis Tests (Unit S2: Statistics 2)
92%92%
Numerical Methods (Unit P3: Pure Mathematics 3)
85%85%
IAS Mathematics January 2026 Examination Analysis
The January 2026 IAS Mathematics exam series presented a robust test of algebraic precision, physical modeling, and statistical reasoning. Across Pure Mathematics (P1 and P2), Mechanics (M1), and Statistics (S1), candidates encountered several challenging multi-stage questions demanding not just mechanical recall, but deep conceptual flexibility.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.