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Cambridge A Level tutoring, from AS to A2

Guides to 6 Cambridge AS & A Level syllabuses — every paper with its duration, marks and weighting, the AS and A Level content split, the assessment objectives and how to pick up marks — plus personalized coaching across both years.

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  • AS and A Level
  • Practical paper support
  • Paper-combination planning
6

Subject guides

3

Entry routes

2

Levels: AS & A Level

Cambridge AS & A Level

How the qualification is built

AS Level is the first half; A Level is the whole thing. What makes Cambridge unusual is the flexibility around that — three entry routes, and in mathematics a choice of which components you sit at all.

AS, then A Level

In the sciences, AS covers Papers 1 to 3 and A Level adds Papers 4 and 5. A Level papers assume AS content, so nothing stops being examinable.

Three entry routes

AS only in one series; A Level staged across two years, carrying the AS mark forward; or A Level with every paper in a single series.

Two grade scales

AS-only candidates are graded a to e. A Level candidates are graded A* to E.

Subject guides · Biology, Chemistry and Physics

Cambridge Sciences

Biology, Chemistry and Physics share one assessment model exactly: five papers, the same durations and mark totals, the same weightings, and the same assessment objectives. Exam technique learned in one transfers straight to the others.

Practical work is a third of the A Level. Papers 3 and 5 are worth 34.5% between them, and AO3 (experimental skills) is 20% of the assessment at both levels. Paper 5 can even be set in a context outside the taught syllabus, because what it tests is experimental reasoning rather than recall.

Tap a subject to see its papers, content and exam tips.

Assessment at a glance

AS & A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics share an identical assessment structure and near-identical assessment objectives — only the content and a couple of AO1 bullet points differ.

Cambridge Biology (9700) assessment structure
PaperFormatDurationMarksWeighting
1Multiple choice (40 questions)1h 15m4031% / 15.5%
2AS structured questions1h 15m6046% / 23%
3Advanced Practical Skills2h4023% / 11.5%
4A Level structured questions2h100— / 38.5%
5Planning, Analysis and Evaluation1h 15m30— / 11.5%

Three entry routes: AS Level only (Papers 1–3 in one series); A Level staged (Papers 1–3 in Year 1, then 4–5 in Year 2, carrying the AS mark forward); or A Level in one series (all five papers together). AS-only candidates are graded a–e; A Level candidates are graded A*–E.

Content overview

AS Level topics (1–11)
  • Cell structure · Biological molecules · Enzymes · Cell membranes and transport
  • The mitotic cell cycle · Nucleic acids and protein synthesis
  • Transport in plants · Transport in mammals · Gas exchange
  • Infectious diseases · Immunity
Additional A Level topics (12–19)
  • Energy and respiration · Photosynthesis · Homeostasis · Control and coordination
  • Inheritance · Selection and evolution
  • Classification, biodiversity and conservation · Genetic technology

Assessment objectives

Cambridge Biology assessment objective weightings
ObjectiveASA Level
AO1 Knowledge and understanding40%40%
AO2 Handling, applying and evaluating information40%40%
AO3 Experimental skills and investigations20%20%

Exam tips

  1. 1Papers 3 and 5 (practical skills) are worth 23% combined at AS and 34.5% combined at A Level — don’t neglect hands-on practice just because Papers 1, 2 and 4 feel more like ‘the syllabus.’
  2. 2AO2 (handling, applying and evaluating information) carries as much weight as AO1 (recall) — practice applying content to unfamiliar contexts, not just reciting definitions.
  3. 3For Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation), the context may sit entirely outside the taught syllabus — the skill being tested is experimental reasoning itself, not subject recall.
  4. 4Always quote answers to a sensible number of significant figures and include units — Cambridge examiner reports consistently flag this as an easy way marks are lost.
  5. 5A Level papers assume AS Level content as prior knowledge — keep AS topics warm even after you’ve moved on to A Level-only content.
  6. 6Use precise biological terminology (‘diffusion’ versus ‘active transport’, for example) — vague wording is penalised even when the underlying idea is correct.

Assessment at a glance

AS & A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics share an identical assessment structure and near-identical assessment objectives — only the content and a couple of AO1 bullet points differ.

Cambridge Chemistry (9701) assessment structure
PaperFormatDurationMarksWeighting
1Multiple choice (40 questions)1h 15m4031% / 15.5%
2AS structured questions1h 15m6046% / 23%
3Advanced Practical Skills2h4023% / 11.5%
4A Level structured questions2h100— / 38.5%
5Planning, Analysis and Evaluation1h 15m30— / 11.5%

Three entry routes: AS Level only (Papers 1–3 in one series); A Level staged (Papers 1–3 in Year 1, then 4–5 in Year 2, carrying the AS mark forward); or A Level in one series (all five papers together). AS-only candidates are graded a–e; A Level candidates are graded A*–E.

Content overview

AS Level topics (1–22)
  • Physical: Atomic structure · Atoms, molecules and stoichiometry · Chemical bonding · States of matter · Chemical energetics · Electrochemistry · Equilibria · Reaction kinetics
  • Inorganic: Periodicity · Group 2 · Group 17 · Nitrogen and sulfur
  • Organic: Introduction to organic chemistry · Hydrocarbons · Halogen compounds · Hydroxy compounds · Carbonyl compounds · Carboxylic acids and derivatives · Nitrogen compounds · Polymerisation · Organic synthesis
  • Analysis: Analytical techniques
Additional A Level topics (23–37)
  • Physical: Further chemical energetics · Electrochemistry · Equilibria · Reaction kinetics
  • Inorganic: Group 2 (extended) · Transition elements
  • Organic: Further organic chemistry, hydrocarbons, halogen and hydroxy compounds, carboxylic acids and derivatives, nitrogen compounds, polymerisation, organic synthesis
  • Analysis: Further analytical techniques

Assessment objectives

Cambridge Chemistry assessment objective weightings
ObjectiveASA Level
AO1 Knowledge and understanding40%40%
AO2 Handling, applying and evaluating information40%40%
AO3 Experimental skills and investigations20%20%

Exam tips

  1. 1Papers 3 and 5 (practical skills) are worth 23% combined at AS and 34.5% combined at A Level — don’t neglect hands-on practice just because Papers 1, 2 and 4 feel more like ‘the syllabus.’
  2. 2AO2 (handling, applying and evaluating information) carries as much weight as AO1 (recall) — practice applying content to unfamiliar contexts, not just reciting definitions.
  3. 3For Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation), the context may sit entirely outside the taught syllabus — the skill being tested is experimental reasoning itself, not subject recall.
  4. 4Always quote answers to a sensible number of significant figures and include units — Cambridge examiner reports consistently flag this as an easy way marks are lost.
  5. 5A Level papers assume AS Level content as prior knowledge — keep AS topics warm even after you’ve moved on to A Level-only content.
  6. 6Follow Cambridge’s nomenclature conventions exactly (‘sulfate’ not ‘sulphate’) — the syllabus specifies these explicitly and examiners mark to them.
  7. 7Mole and stoichiometry calculations underpin most numerical questions across every paper — keep this fluent from day one rather than revisiting it only before exams.

Assessment at a glance

AS & A Level Biology, Chemistry and Physics share an identical assessment structure and near-identical assessment objectives — only the content and a couple of AO1 bullet points differ.

Cambridge Physics (9702) assessment structure
PaperFormatDurationMarksWeighting
1Multiple choice (40 questions)1h 15m4031% / 15.5%
2AS structured questions1h 15m6046% / 23%
3Advanced Practical Skills2h4023% / 11.5%
4A Level structured questions2h100— / 38.5%
5Planning, Analysis and Evaluation1h 15m30— / 11.5%

Three entry routes: AS Level only (Papers 1–3 in one series); A Level staged (Papers 1–3 in Year 1, then 4–5 in Year 2, carrying the AS mark forward); or A Level in one series (all five papers together). AS-only candidates are graded a–e; A Level candidates are graded A*–E. A data and formulae sheet is printed in every theory paper.

Content overview

AS Level topics (1–11)
  • Physical quantities and units · Kinematics · Dynamics · Forces, density and pressure
  • Work, energy and power · Deformation of solids · Waves · Superposition
  • Electricity · D.C. circuits · Particle physics
Additional A Level topics (12–25)
  • Motion in a circle · Gravitational fields · Temperature · Ideal gases · Thermodynamics
  • Oscillations · Electric fields · Capacitance · Magnetic fields · Alternating currents
  • Quantum physics · Nuclear physics · Medical physics · Astronomy and cosmology

Assessment objectives

Cambridge Physics assessment objective weightings
ObjectiveASA Level
AO1 Knowledge and understanding40%40%
AO2 Handling, applying and evaluating information40%40%
AO3 Experimental skills and investigations20%20%

Exam tips

  1. 1Papers 3 and 5 (practical skills) are worth 23% combined at AS and 34.5% combined at A Level — don’t neglect hands-on practice just because Papers 1, 2 and 4 feel more like ‘the syllabus.’
  2. 2AO2 (handling, applying and evaluating information) carries as much weight as AO1 (recall) — practice applying content to unfamiliar contexts, not just reciting definitions.
  3. 3For Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation), the context may sit entirely outside the taught syllabus — the skill being tested is experimental reasoning itself, not subject recall.
  4. 4Always quote answers to a sensible number of significant figures and include units — Cambridge examiner reports consistently flag this as an easy way marks are lost.
  5. 5A Level papers assume AS Level content as prior knowledge — keep AS topics warm even after you’ve moved on to A Level-only content.
  6. 6Know exactly where each quantity sits on the printed data and formulae sheet — hunting for it in Paper 1, 2 or 4 costs real time under exam conditions.

Subject guides · 9709 and 9231

Cambridge Mathematics

Neither maths syllabus is a fixed set of papers. You build the qualification by combining components, and not every combination is valid — which makes choosing the route an early decision rather than an afterthought.

Check your combination before you start. In 9709, Paper 4 and Paper 6 cannot go together, because Paper 6 assumes Paper 5 content — and Paper 1 with Paper 2 is an AS route that cannot progress to A Level at all.

Tap a subject to see its papers, content and exam tips.

Assessment at a glance

Cambridge Mathematics (9709) assessment structure
PaperComponentDurationMarks
1Pure Mathematics 1 (compulsory)1h 50m75
2Pure Mathematics 2 (AS Level only)1h 15m50
3Pure Mathematics 3 (compulsory for A Level)1h 50m75
4Mechanics1h 15m50
5Probability & Statistics 11h 15m50
6Probability & Statistics 2 (A Level only)1h 15m50

Cambridge publishes no fixed per-paper weighting for 9709: the qualification is built by combining components, so each paper’s share depends on the route taken.

How components combine

  • AS Level (2 papers): Paper 1 + Paper 2 (Pure only — this route cannot progress to A Level), or Paper 1 + Paper 4 (Pure & Mechanics), or Paper 1 + Paper 5 (Pure & Probability/Statistics).
  • A Level (4 papers): Papers 1 and 3 are compulsory, plus either (Paper 4 + Paper 5) or (Paper 5 + Paper 6). Paper 4 and Paper 6 cannot be combined, since Paper 6 assumes Paper 5 content.
  • A staged route is also available: take two AS papers in Year 1, carry the mark forward, then complete the remaining two A Level papers in Year 2.

Content overview

By component
  • Pure Mathematics 1: Quadratics · Functions · Coordinate geometry · Circular measure · Trigonometry · Series · Differentiation · Integration
  • Pure Mathematics 2: Algebra · Logarithmic & exponential functions · Trigonometry · Differentiation · Integration · Numerical solution of equations
  • Pure Mathematics 3: All of Pure 2 at greater depth, plus Vectors, Differential equations and Complex numbers
  • Mechanics: Forces and equilibrium · Kinematics · Momentum · Newton’s laws · Energy, work and power
  • Probability & Statistics 1: Representation of data · Permutations & combinations · Probability · Discrete random variables · The normal distribution
  • Probability & Statistics 2: The Poisson distribution · Linear combinations of random variables · Continuous random variables · Sampling and estimation · Hypothesis tests

Assessment objectives

Cambridge Mathematics assessment objective weightings
ObjectiveASA Level
AO1 Knowledge and understanding55%52%
AO2 Application and communication45%48%

Exam tips

  1. 1Check which component combination your school is following early — the wrong pairing (Paper 4 with Paper 6, for example) is simply not a valid route.
  2. 2Pure Mathematics 1 and 3 are compulsory for every A Level route, so treat them as the non-negotiable core to master first.
  3. 3AO2 (application and communication) is nearly half the marks — practice presenting full, clearly communicated working, not just reaching a correct final answer.
  4. 4If progressing to Further Mathematics (9231), keep Papers 1, 3, 5 and 6 particularly sharp — they’re assumed prior knowledge for every Further Mathematics component.

Assessment at a glance

Cambridge Further Mathematics (9231) assessment structure
PaperComponentDurationMarksWeighting
1Further Pure Mathematics 1 (compulsory)2h7560% AS / 30% A Level
2Further Pure Mathematics 2 (A Level only)2h7530% of A Level
3Further Mechanics1h 30m5040% AS / 20% A Level
4Further Probability & Statistics1h 30m5040% AS / 20% A Level

Prior knowledge required from Mathematics (9709): Papers 1 and 3 for Further Pure 1 and 2; Papers 1, 3 and 4 for Further Mechanics; Papers 1, 3, 5 and 6 for Further Probability & Statistics.

How components combine

  • AS Level (2 papers): Paper 1 + Paper 3, or Paper 1 + Paper 4.
  • A Level (4 papers): all four components — Papers 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Content overview

By component
  • Further Pure Mathematics 1: Roots of polynomial equations · Rational functions and graphs · Summation of series · Matrices · Polar coordinates · Vectors · Proof by induction
  • Further Pure Mathematics 2: Hyperbolic functions · Matrices · Differentiation · Integration · Complex numbers · Differential equations
  • Further Mechanics: Motion of a projectile · Equilibrium of a rigid body · Circular motion · Hooke’s law · Linear motion under a variable force · Momentum
  • Further Probability & Statistics: Continuous random variables · Inference using normal and t-distributions · χ²-tests · Non-parametric tests · Probability generating functions

Assessment objectives

Cambridge Further Mathematics assessment objective weightings
ObjectiveASA Level
AO1 Knowledge and understanding45%45%
AO2 Application and communication55%55%

Exam tips

  1. 1Confirm your prior-knowledge coverage from 9709 before starting each component — Further Probability & Statistics assumes both 9709 Papers 5 and 6, for example.
  2. 2AO2 carries more than half the marks here too — clear, logical presentation of a full method is essential, not optional polish.
  3. 3Further Pure Mathematics 1 is compulsory on every route — prioritise matrices, series summation and proof by induction early, since they recur across other components.

Subject guides · 9708

Cambridge Economics

Tap a subject to see its papers, content and exam tips.

Assessment at a glance

Cambridge Economics (9708) assessment structure
PaperLevelFormatDurationMarksWeighting
1ASMultiple choice (30 questions)1h3033% AS / 17% A Level
2AS1 data response + 2 essays2h6067% AS / 33% A Level
3A LevelMultiple choice (30 questions)1h 15m3017% of A Level
4A Level1 data response + 2 essays2h6033% of A Level

Papers 3 and 4 assume AS Level content as prior knowledge. The same three entry routes as the sciences apply: AS only, staged A Level, or A Level in one series.

Content overview

AS Level topics (1.1–6.5)
  • 1. Basic economic ideas and resource allocation · 2. The price system and the microeconomy
  • 3. Government microeconomic intervention · 4. The macroeconomy
  • 5. Government macroeconomic intervention · 6. International economic issues
Additional A Level topics (7.1–11.6)
  • 7. The price system and the microeconomy, extended: utility, indifference curves, market structures
  • 8. Government microeconomic intervention, extended
  • 9. The macroeconomy, extended: circular flow, growth, employment, money and banking
  • 10. Government macroeconomic intervention, extended
  • 11. International economic issues, extended: balance of payments, exchange rates, development, globalisation

Assessment objectives

Cambridge Economics assessment objective weightings
ObjectiveWeighting
AO1 Knowledge and understanding35%
AO2 Analysis40%
AO3 Evaluation25%

Exam tips

  1. 1AO3 (Evaluation) is worth a quarter of the whole qualification, and essays are where it’s concentrated — always weigh both sides and reach a reasoned judgment rather than stopping at analysis.
  2. 2Use diagrams deliberately in Paper 2 and 4 essays — correctly drawn and labelled diagrams are explicitly credited, not just decorative.
  3. 3A Level essay questions are unstructured with no sub-parts — practice building a full essay response yourself rather than relying on guided sub-questions.
  4. 4For data-response questions, cite the actual figures and units from the data rather than describing them in vague terms.

Cambridge A Level with KollegePrep

Coaching across both years

A Level runs on decisions as much as content: which route, which papers, which option. Good tutoring settles those early, then works through the syllabus with the practical papers treated as seriously as the theory ones.

Personalized sessions

Built around your subjects, your level and the grades you are aiming for.

Experienced teachers

Educators who make sure you understand concepts deeply and perform your best in the exam.

Regular assignments

Practice after each topic, so the syllabus is covered steadily across both years.

Monthly assessments

Tests and feedback sessions that track progress and keep parents informed.

Recorded lectures

Revisit any concept at your own pace, as often as you need.

Route planning

Getting your paper combination and entry route right before Year 1 starts.

Tell us your subjects, whether you are sitting AS or the full A Level, and which papers you are entered for. We will plan sessions around exactly what those papers ask.

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FAQ

Cambridge A Level questions

AS Level is the first half of the qualification and A Level is the full one. In the sciences, AS covers Papers 1 to 3 and A Level adds Papers 4 and 5. AS-only candidates are graded a to e; A Level candidates are graded A* to E. A Level papers assume AS content as prior knowledge, so AS material stays examinable throughout.

There are three. AS Level only, taking Papers 1 to 3 in a single series. A Level staged, taking Papers 1 to 3 in Year 1 and Papers 4 and 5 in Year 2, carrying the AS mark forward. Or A Level in one series, sitting all papers together. The same three routes apply across the sciences and Economics.

More than most students expect. Paper 3 (Advanced Practical Skills) and Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation) are worth 23% combined at AS and 34.5% combined at A Level. AO3, experimental skills and investigations, is 20% of the assessment at both levels. Paper 5 is also unusual in that its context may sit entirely outside the taught syllabus — what is being tested is experimental reasoning, not recall.

It depends on the route. For AS Level you take two papers: Paper 1 with Paper 2 (Pure only, which cannot progress to A Level), or Paper 1 with Paper 4, or Paper 1 with Paper 5. For A Level you take four: Papers 1 and 3 are compulsory, plus either Papers 4 and 5, or Papers 5 and 6. Paper 4 and Paper 6 cannot be combined, because Paper 6 assumes Paper 5 content. Check which combination your school follows early, because an invalid pairing is simply not an accepted route.

Yes, and the specific prior knowledge depends on the component. Further Pure 1 and 2 assume 9709 Papers 1 and 3. Further Mechanics assumes Papers 1, 3 and 4. Further Probability & Statistics assumes Papers 1, 3, 5 and 6. Confirm your coverage before starting each component rather than discovering a gap mid-course.

Six: Biology (9700), Chemistry (9701), Physics (9702), Economics (9708), Mathematics (9709) and Further Mathematics (9231). Each guide lists the paper structure with durations, marks and weightings, the AS and A Level content split, the assessment objectives, and exam tips.

It varies by subject. Biology, Chemistry and Physics all use AO1 knowledge 40%, AO2 handling and applying information 40%, and AO3 experimental skills 20%, at both AS and A Level. Economics uses AO1 35%, AO2 analysis 40% and AO3 evaluation 25%. Mathematics 9709 splits AO1 and AO2 at 55/45 for AS and 52/48 at A Level, while Further Mathematics 9231 is 45/55 at both levels.

Yes. Biology, Chemistry and Physics have an identical five-paper structure with the same durations, mark totals and weightings, and near-identical assessment objectives. Only the content and a couple of AO1 bullet points differ. That means exam technique learned in one transfers directly to the others, which is useful if you are taking two or three of them.

Through personalized sessions built around your subjects, whether you are sitting AS or the full A Level, and the grades you are aiming for. Regular assignments reinforce each topic, monthly assessments and feedback sessions track progress and keep parents informed, and recorded lectures let you revisit concepts at your own pace. Sessions are planned around your paper combination, which matters most in Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

Message us on WhatsApp or send an enquiry through the contact form with your subjects, whether you are taking AS or A Level, which papers you are entered for, and your exam series. We will talk through where you are now and what your target grades need, then plan sessions around it.

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Send us your subjects, your level and your exam series. We will talk through where you are now, what your target grades need, and which papers to prioritise.

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AS and A Level · Practical paper support · Route planning