A-Level 9709 2021 · May-June

Cambridge A-Level Mathematics (9709) May-June 2021 Past Papers

This page hosts the full 38-file bundle for the Cambridge A-Level Mathematics (9709) May-June 2021 examination — question papers, mark schemes, examiner report, grade thresholds document . This session covers 3 time-zone variants (papers numbered X1, X2, X3 — e.g. Paper 11 for variant 1).

The May-June 2021 sitting is the main May-June series — the largest global sitting for Cambridge A-Level. All files are sourced from Cambridge International and free to download.

Grade Thresholds Examiner Report
38 files • 11.6 MB

9709 May-June 2021 Papers

Paper 1

AS-Level

Pure Mathematics 1

1h 50min 75 marks
Variant 1
Question Paper Mark Scheme
Variant 2
Question Paper Mark Scheme
Variant 3
Question Paper Mark Scheme

Paper 2

AS-Level

Pure Mathematics 2

1h 15min 50 marks
Variant 1
Question Paper Mark Scheme
Variant 2
Question Paper Mark Scheme
Variant 3
Question Paper Mark Scheme

Paper 3

A2

Pure Mathematics 3

1h 50min 75 marks
Variant 1
Question Paper Mark Scheme
Variant 2
Question Paper Mark Scheme
Variant 3
Question Paper Mark Scheme

Paper 4

AS-Level

Mechanics

1h 15min 50 marks
Variant 1
Question Paper Mark Scheme
Variant 2
Question Paper Mark Scheme
Variant 3
Question Paper Mark Scheme

Paper 5

AS-Level

Probability & Statistics 1

1h 15min 50 marks
Variant 1
Question Paper Mark Scheme
Variant 2
Question Paper Mark Scheme
Variant 3
Question Paper Mark Scheme

Paper 6

A2

Probability & Statistics 2

1h 15min 50 marks
Variant 1
Question Paper Mark Scheme
Variant 2
Question Paper Mark Scheme
Variant 3
Question Paper Mark Scheme
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May-June across other years

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Paper components in this session

The Mathematics 9709 qualification is built from 6 paper components; a full A-Level is four of them, worth 250 marks. The grid below shows each paper appearing in the May-June 2021 bundle on this page.

Paper 1 AS
Pure Mathematics 1
1h 50min · 75 marks
Paper 2 AS
Pure Mathematics 2
1h 15min · 50 marks
Paper 3 A2
Pure Mathematics 3
1h 50min · 75 marks
Paper 4 AS
Mechanics
1h 15min · 50 marks
Paper 5 AS
Probability & Statistics 1
1h 15min · 50 marks
Paper 6 A2
Probability & Statistics 2
1h 15min · 50 marks

About the May-June 2021 9709 session

Mathematics 9709 is structured around six paper components: Paper 1 (Pure Mathematics 1), Paper 2 (Pure Mathematics 2), Paper 3 (Pure Mathematics 3), Paper 4 (Mechanics), Paper 5 (Probability & Statistics 1), and Paper 6 (Probability & Statistics 2). AS Level is two papers: Paper 1 (Pure Mathematics 1) plus Paper 2 (Pure Mathematics 2), Paper 4 (Mechanics) or Paper 5 (Probability & Statistics 1). The Paper 1 and 2 route is AS only and does not count towards the full A Level. The full A Level is four papers: Papers 1 and 3 (Pure Mathematics 1 and 3) plus either Papers 4 and 5 (Mechanics and Probability & Statistics 1) or Papers 5 and 6 (Probability & Statistics 1 and 2).

The May-June 2021 bundle below contains 38 files across 6 paper components and 3 time-zone variants. Mark schemes are included for every question paper. The examiner report is also published — use it to see which questions caused most candidates difficulty. Grade thresholds are linked at the top of this page.

How to use these A-Level Mathematics past papers

Timed practice under exam conditions

Sit each paper at the exact duration listed in the components grid. The A-Level pacing problem on Pure 3 and Probability & Statistics is famously tight, so finishing on time is itself a skill worth practising.

Mark with the May-June 2021 MS

Cambridge mark schemes show acceptable wording and method marks for each step. After self-marking, log which questions cost you method marks vs accuracy marks — they need different fixes.

Read the examiner report

The ER for this session flags the specific questions where most candidates struggled and what the examiners wanted to see instead. It's the single highest-leverage document in the bundle for targeted revision.

Use grade thresholds to set a target

A-Level thresholds shift each session with paper difficulty, and there is no A* on a single paper: Cambridge sets A* for the overall A Level only. In June 2021, an A* needed 201 to 215 out of 250 (80% to 86%) for the whole A Level sat in one series, depending on the option, and AS grade a needed 82 to 95 out of 125 (66% to 76%) (copy of the Cambridge grade threshold table, June 2021). See the grade thresholds for every 9709 session.

A-Level 9709 May-June 2021 — Frequently asked questions

What's in the Cambridge A-Level Mathematics May-June 2021 paper bundle?
This page hosts 38 files for the Cambridge A-Level Mathematics (9709) May-June 2021 session: question papers, mark schemes, the examiner report, and the grade thresholds document. All files come directly from Cambridge International and are free to download.
What's the difference between AS and A2 papers for 9709?
Cambridge Mathematics 9709 splits AS and A2 differently from the sciences. AS Level is two papers: Paper 1 (Pure Mathematics 1) plus Paper 2 (Pure Mathematics 2), Paper 4 (Mechanics) or Paper 5 (Probability & Statistics 1). The Paper 1 and 2 route is AS only and does not count towards the full A Level. The full A Level is four papers: Papers 1 and 3 (Pure Mathematics 1 and 3) plus either Papers 4 and 5 (Mechanics and Probability & Statistics 1) or Papers 5 and 6 (Probability & Statistics 1 and 2). Sit the papers your centre has chosen for your route.
Why does this session have variants 1, 2, 3?
Cambridge issues different variants of each paper so the exam can be sat safely across the world's time zones without leaks. The last digit of the paper number is the variant (for example, Papers 11, 12 and 13 are variants 1, 2 and 3 of Paper 1). Which variant you sit depends on your school's administrative zone, and Cambridge's timetable for each zone lists it. All variants test the same syllabus content at equivalent difficulty — Cambridge calibrates the grade thresholds afterwards to even out any small variation. Practising any variant is equally valuable.
When does Cambridge release May-June 2021 mark schemes and examiner reports?
Cambridge typically publishes mark schemes for the May-June series around 6-8 weeks after results day, and the examiner report follows roughly three months later. The mark schemes for this session are available above. The examiner report is also linked at the top of this page.
How should I practise 9709 May-June 2021 papers most effectively?
Use our free Exam Hub to view the question paper and mark scheme side-by-side. Time yourself for one full paper (the duration is in the components grid above), self-mark with the MS, then read the examiner report for the same paper to see where most candidates lost marks. For weak topics, cross-reference the A-Level Mathematics hub.

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