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Northern Ireland · CCEA2026

CCEA A-Level Mathematics: complete guide to the AS and A2 units, the exams and how to study each module

A complete guide to CCEA A-Level Mathematics (specification 2018). Covers the AS 1 and A2 1 pure mathematics units and the AS 2 and A2 2 applied mathematics units (mechanics and statistics), how the AS and A2 exams are structured and marked, and how to study each unit for top grades.

Browse guides →Syllabus dot points (28)

CCEA A-Level Mathematics (specification first taught 2018) is a two-year course split into AS and A2, set and marked by CCEA in Northern Ireland. This page is the index: below is a map of the four examined units, the assessment structure, and how to study each one.

The CCEA Mathematics units

The specification groups the subject content across four examined units, two pure and two applied, studied through the AS and A2 years.

AS 1 Pure Mathematics
The pure foundation. It covers algebra and functions (indices, surds, quadratics, the discriminant and polynomials), coordinate geometry and graphs (the straight line and the circle), sequences and series (the binomial expansion for positive integer powers), trigonometry (the sine and cosine rules and the identities), exponentials and logarithms, differentiation, integration, and vectors in two dimensions.
AS 2 Applied Mathematics
The applied foundation, split equally between mechanics and statistics. It covers kinematics and forces and Newton's laws (mechanics), and statistical sampling, data presentation and interpretation, probability and statistical distributions with the binomial (statistics).
A2 1 Pure Mathematics
The advanced pure unit. It covers proof, functions and partial fractions, arithmetic and geometric series and the general binomial expansion, radian trigonometry with the compound and double-angle identities, parametric equations, advanced differentiation and integration with differential equations, numerical methods, and three-dimensional vectors.
A2 2 Applied Mathematics
The advanced applied unit, split equally between mechanics and statistics. It covers projectiles and variable acceleration and forces, friction and moments (mechanics), and conditional probability, the normal distribution and hypothesis testing (statistics).

Assessment structure

CCEA A-Level Mathematics is split between AS (40 percent) and A2 (60 percent), assessed by four written papers, one per unit. A formulae and statistical tables booklet is provided, and a calculator is allowed.

  • AS 1 Pure Mathematics - a written paper on the pure foundation, 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks.
  • AS 2 Applied Mathematics - a written paper with a mechanics section and a statistics section, 1 hour 15 minutes, 70 marks.
  • A2 1 Pure Mathematics - a written paper on the advanced pure content, 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • A2 2 Applied Mathematics - a written paper with separate mechanics and statistics sections.

How to study CCEA Mathematics

Mathematics rewards precise method, accurate algebra and confident calculation.

  1. Work from the specification statements. Each point is a checklist; questions are written from them.
  2. Learn the standard results. Know the derivatives, integrals, identities and distributions by heart, and which are on the formulae sheet.
  3. Carry clean algebra through. Most marks are method marks, so set out each step clearly and avoid sign and rearrangement slips.
  4. Treat the applied units as two halves. Mechanics and statistics each carry 50 percent of an applied unit, so revise both to equal depth.
  5. Drill past papers under timed conditions. Rehearse the recurring techniques and always conclude statistical tests in context.

The units, dot point by dot point

Each unit has a specification-level overview with worked questions and cross-links, plus dot-point pages and a quiz. Browse the full set at /ccea-a-level/mathematics/syllabus.

For the official specification

CCEA publishes the full specification, past papers and mark schemes at ccea.org.uk. Always revise from the current CCEA specification and CCEA's own past papers, because question style is board-specific.

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Common questions about Maths

How is CCEA A-Level Mathematics structured?
CCEA A-Level Mathematics is a two-year course split into AS and A2. AS has two units, AS 1 Pure Mathematics and AS 2 Applied Mathematics, and the AS counts for 40 percent of the full A level. A2 has two units, A2 1 Pure Mathematics and A2 2 Applied Mathematics, and the A2 counts for 60 percent. The applied units (AS 2 and A2 2) are each split equally between mechanics and statistics. AS Mathematics can be taken as a standalone qualification.
What are the CCEA A-Level Mathematics exam papers?
There are four written papers, one per unit. AS 1 Pure Mathematics is 1 hour 45 minutes worth 100 marks; AS 2 Applied Mathematics is 1 hour 15 minutes worth 70 marks with a mechanics section and a statistics section; A2 1 Pure Mathematics is 2 hours 30 minutes; and A2 2 Applied Mathematics is a paper with separate mechanics and statistics sections. A calculator is allowed and a formulae and statistical tables booklet is provided.
What topics are in CCEA A-Level Mathematics?
The pure content (AS 1 and A2 1) covers algebra and functions, coordinate geometry, sequences and series with the binomial expansion, trigonometry, exponentials and logarithms, calculus (differentiation and integration), proof, parametric equations, numerical methods and vectors. The applied content (AS 2 and A2 2) covers mechanics (kinematics, forces, projectiles, friction and moments) and statistics (sampling, data presentation, probability, the binomial and normal distributions, and hypothesis testing).
How much of CCEA A-Level Mathematics is mechanics and statistics?
Half of each applied unit is mechanics and half is statistics. In AS 2 and A2 2 the paper has a Section A for mechanics and a Section B for statistics, each carrying 50 percent of that unit. Across the whole A level the applied units make up a substantial share, so mechanics and statistics together are roughly a third of the qualification, with pure mathematics making up the rest.
How should I revise CCEA A-Level Mathematics?
Work unit by unit against the specification statements, because questions are written from them. Learn the standard results, derivatives and integrals by heart, and practise carrying clean algebra through multi-step problems. Drill past-paper questions under timed conditions, treat the applied units as two equally weighted halves, and rehearse the methods that recur, such as the discriminant, the chain and product rules, integration by substitution and parts, standardising the normal distribution, and the full structure of a hypothesis test.
How does CCEA A-Level Mathematics compare to other exam boards?
All A-level Mathematics specifications cover the same regulated core, so the pure content, mechanics and statistics appear everywhere. CCEA's distinctive feature is its modular AS and A2 unit structure with separate pure and applied units, where the applied unit is split into a mechanics section and a statistics section in one paper. Always revise from the current CCEA specification and CCEA past papers, because question style is board-specific.