OCR A Level Mathematics A (H240) develops students’ mathematical knowledge, reasoning, problem-solving and modelling skills. Building on GCSE Mathematics, the course introduces more advanced mathematical ideas and encourages students to make connections between different areas of mathematics and apply their knowledge in both mathematical and real-world contexts.
The specification is divided into three main areas: Pure Mathematics, Statistics and Mechanics. Pure Mathematics forms the core of the qualification and is assessed across all three examination papers, while Statistics and Mechanics are assessed alongside Pure Mathematics in Papers 2 and 3 respectively.
Pure Mathematics develops the algebraic, graphical and analytical techniques that underpin the whole A Level course. Topics include proof; algebra and functions; coordinate geometry; sequences and series; trigonometry; exponentials and logarithms; differentiation; integration; numerical methods; and vectors.
Students develop increasingly sophisticated approaches to solving equations and working with functions, graphs and mathematical models. Calculus is a major part of the course, with differentiation and integration used to analyse functions, solve problems and model changing quantities.
Because Pure Mathematics is the foundation of the qualification, it is assessed in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3.
Statistics focuses on collecting, representing, analysing and interpreting data and using probability to make mathematically justified conclusions.
The Statistics content includes statistical sampling, data presentation and interpretation, probability, statistical distributions and statistical hypothesis testing. Students work with concepts such as populations and samples, statistical diagrams, probability distributions and formal hypothesis tests.
Students are also expected to become familiar with OCR’s Large Data Set during the course. Some Statistics questions in Paper 2 are set in the context of this pre-release data set, so students should understand its context and key features as well as being able to apply statistical techniques to unfamiliar data.
Statistics is assessed in Paper 2: Pure Mathematics and Statistics.
Mechanics applies mathematical techniques to the physical world. Students learn how mathematical models can be used to describe and analyse the motion of objects and the forces acting upon them.
The Mechanics content covers quantities and units in mechanics, kinematics, forces and Newton’s laws, and moments. This includes concepts such as displacement, velocity, acceleration, equations of motion, forces, equilibrium, Newton’s laws, connected particles and the turning effect of forces.
Mechanics is assessed in Paper 3: Pure Mathematics and Mechanics.
Paper 1 – Pure Mathematics (H240/01)
Paper 1 assesses Pure Mathematics only. It is a 2-hour written examination worth 100 marks and 33⅓% of the total A Level. The paper contains a mixture of shorter and longer questions with a progression in difficulty.
Paper 2 – Pure Mathematics and Statistics (H240/02)
Paper 2 assesses both Pure Mathematics and Statistics. It is a 2-hour written examination worth 100 marks and 33⅓% of the total A Level. The paper is divided into two sections of approximately 50 marks each: one covering Pure Mathematics and one covering Statistics. Some Statistics questions may use the context of OCR’s Large Data Set.
Paper 3 – Pure Mathematics and Mechanics (H240/03)
Paper 3 assesses both Pure Mathematics and Mechanics. It is a 2-hour written examination worth 100 marks and 33⅓% of the total A Level. The paper is divided into two sections of approximately 50 marks each: one covering Pure Mathematics and one covering Mechanics.
Students must complete all three papers to receive the full OCR A Level Mathematics A qualification. Scientific or graphical calculators are permitted in all three examinations, and students are expected to show appropriate mathematical working.
Across the qualification, questions assess more than the ability to perform calculations. Students are expected to use standard mathematical techniques, reason and communicate mathematically, construct arguments and proofs, solve problems and apply mathematical models in different contexts. The papers therefore include a combination of short and extended questions, problem-solving, modelling, synoptic assessment, and stretch-and-challenge questions.