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AQA A-level Maths (7357): papers, content and grade boundaries

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AQA A-level Maths papers at a glance

PaperContentLengthMarksShare of A-level
Paper 1Any content from A Proof, B Algebra and functions, C Coordinate geometry, D Sequences and series, E Trigonometry, F Exponentials and logarithms, G Differentiation, H Integration, I Numerical methods2 hours10033⅓%
Paper 2Any content from Paper 1, plus J Vectors, P Quantities and units in mechanics, Q Kinematics, R Forces and Newton's laws and S Moments2 hours10033⅓%
Paper 3Any content from Paper 1, plus K Statistical sampling, L Data presentation and interpretation, M Probability, N Statistical distributions and O Statistical hypothesis testing2 hours10033⅓%

The specification is AQA A-level Mathematics 7357, which is linear: every paper is sat at the end of the course. Each paper is a mix of question styles, from short, single-mark questions to multi-step problems. Pure maths content can appear on all three papers.

The calculator and the large data set

AQA says a calculator is required in all assessments. For A-level Maths it should have, at minimum, an iterative function, the ability to compute summary statistics and access probabilities from standard statistical distributions, and an inverse normal function. The statistics content (sections K to O) expects you to use calculator technology for statistical calculations. You also need to be familiar in advance with a large data set, which statistics questions on Paper 3 can draw on.

Content areas

  • Pure (all papers): proof; algebra and functions; coordinate geometry; sequences and series; trigonometry; exponentials and logarithms; differentiation; integration; numerical methods; and vectors (J) on Paper 2.
  • Mechanics (Paper 2): quantities and units, kinematics, forces and Newton's laws, and moments.
  • Statistics (Paper 3): sampling, data presentation and interpretation, probability, statistical distributions and hypothesis testing.

Three overarching themes run through all the content: mathematical argument, language and proof, mathematical problem solving, and mathematical modelling.Deeper topic guides:A-level Maths: calculus,A-level Maths: mechanicsandA-level Maths: statistics.

AQA publishes a formulae booklet for the course.See theAQA A-level Maths formula booklet guide.

Worked examples in AQA style

Pure: stationary points

Find and classify the stationary points of y = 2x³ − 9x² + 12x − 1. Differentiate and set the gradient to zero:

\frac{dy}{dx}=6x^2-18x+12=6(x-1)(x-2)=0\ \Rightarrow\ x=1\ \text{or}\ x=2
\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=12x-18:\ \text{at}\ x=1\ \text{it is}\ -6\ (\text{maximum, }y=4),\quad \text{at}\ x=2\ \text{it is}\ 6\ (\text{minimum, }y=3)

Mechanics: constant acceleration

A car accelerates uniformly from 8 m/s to 20 m/s over 150 m. Find the acceleration and the time taken. Use v² = u² + 2as and then v = u + at:

a=\frac{20^2-8^2}{2\times150}=\frac{336}{300}=1.12\ \text{m/s}^2,\quad t=\frac{20-8}{1.12}=10.7\ \text{s}

Statistics: the binomial distribution

X ~ B(10, 0.4). Find P(X = 3):

P(X=3)=\binom{10}{3}(0.4)^3(0.6)^7=120\times0.064\times0.02799=0.215

Pure: an exponential equation

Solve 3ˣ = 20 by taking logarithms of both sides:

x\ln3=\ln20\ \Rightarrow\ x=\frac{\ln20}{\ln3}=2.73\ \text{(3 s.f.)}

On the calculator use the binomial probability function, and write down the model and the parameters in your answer. Practise normal distribution questions in our Probability course, then press Mark to check your answer in the course:

Pick the empirical-rule percentage for a shaded region of a normal curve.

Press Mark to have your answer marked in the Probability course.

AQA A-level Maths grade boundaries

These are AQA's subject grade boundaries from its document "Grade boundaries, June 2026 exams: A-level", published on 13 August 2026. Each figure is the lowest total mark, out of 300, that earns that grade.

June 2026A*ABCDE
Mathematics 7357, out of 30026021918214510872

An A* needed 260 of 300, which is 87%, and an A needed 219, 73%. A grade E needed only 72. Boundaries change every year, so treat them as a guide.

How AQA A-level Maths differs from Edexcel

Pearson Edexcel A level Mathematics (9MA0) is also three 2-hour, 100-mark papers worth 33.33% each, but they are arranged by topic: Pure Mathematics 1, Pure Mathematics 2, and a third paper of Statistics (Section A) and Mechanics (Section B). AQA instead puts pure content on every paper and adds mechanics to Paper 2 and statistics to Paper 3. Edexcel provides its own large data set. See theEdexcel A-level Maths guide.

Use the daily paper as a short timed mock

Uni-Sine publishes free daily papers on four A-level Maths tracks:Algebra and Functions,Calculus,Statistics andMechanics. Each is a short timed paper of 8 questions worth 25 to 35 marks, not a full AQA paper, and it is not written by AQA. They cover exponentials and logarithms, sequences, the binomial expansion, graph transformations, the factor theorem, trigonometric identities, partial fractions, proof, the chain, product and quotient rules, integration techniques, differential equations, sampling, distributions, hypothesis testing, SUVAT, forces, moments and projectiles. Pick the track that matches the paper you are preparing for: statistics for Paper 3 and mechanics for Paper 2.

Common mistakes in AQA A-level Maths

  • Calculator in radians or degrees by mistake. Check the mode before every trig question.
  • Not showing method for a "show that" question. You must reach the given answer with working.
  • Ignoring the context. Interpret statistical results in words in the context of the problem.
  • Forgetting the constant of integration or the limits.

Exam answers

The answers and a worked mark scheme come with today's paper once it is marked. We do not publish official or past paper answers. Every question on the daily paper is our own.

Common questions

What is the AQA A-level Maths code?
The A-level specification code is 7357. AS Mathematics is 7356.
How many papers is AQA A-level Maths?
Three, each 2 hours, 100 marks and 33⅓% of the A-level.
Can I use a calculator in AQA A-level Maths?
Yes. AQA says a calculator is required in all assessments.
What topics are on AQA A-level Maths Paper 2?
Pure maths plus vectors, quantities and units in mechanics, kinematics, forces and Newton's laws, and moments.
What were the AQA A-level Maths grade boundaries in June 2026?
Out of 300: A* needed 260, A needed 219, B needed 182, C needed 145, D needed 108 and E needed 72.

Revision cards

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UK · A-levelAQA A-level Maths grade boundaries 2026: A* to EAQA's official June 2026 A-level Maths (7357) grade boundaries, A* to E out of 300, compared with 2025, with a worked example.