Edexcel International A Level · Physics and Maths
Your child is taking International A Levels
How Edexcel International A Level Physics and Maths work: units, AS and A2, exam series, resits and grades.
examinerprep.com1How International A Levels work
Pearson Edexcel International A Levels (IAL) are two-year courses taken after IGCSE. They are modular: the course is split into units, each with its own exam, and units can be taken across different exam series.
AS
after Year 1
The first units make the International AS, a qualification in its own right
A2
Year 2 units
Adding the second-year units completes the full International A Level
3
exam series a year
January, June and October, so units can be spread out and resat
2IAL Physics
| Unit | Exam | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Mechanics and Materials | 1 h 30 min · 80 marks | 40% of AS · 20% of A Level |
| 2 · Waves and Electricity | 1 h 30 min · 80 marks | 40% of AS · 20% of A Level |
| 3 · Practical Skills in Physics I | 1 h 20 min · 50 marks | 20% of AS · 10% of A Level |
| 4 · Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles | 1 h 45 min · 90 marks | 20% of A Level |
| 5 · Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology | 1 h 45 min · 90 marks | 20% of A Level |
| 6 · Practical Skills in Physics II | 1 h 20 min · 50 marks | 10% of A Level |
Units 1–3 make the International AS; Units 4–6 complete the A Level. Units 3 and 6 are written papers on experimental skills, so the practical work done in class matters.
3IAL Maths
International AS Mathematics
3 units
Pure Mathematics 1 and 2, plus one applied unit: Mechanics 1, Statistics 1 or Decision Mathematics 1.
International A Level Mathematics
6 units
Pure Mathematics 1 to 4, plus two applied units (for example Mechanics 1 and Statistics 1, or Mechanics 1 and 2).
Every unit is a 1 hour 30 minute exam worth 75 marks, and all units carry equal weight. The school usually chooses the applied units; Mechanics links closely to physics, Statistics to biology, economics and psychology.
Further Mathematics is a separate qualification built from additional units, taken by students who want more maths.
4How you can help
- Ask the school for the unit plan: which unit is sat in which series. It shapes the whole revision calendar.
- A weak unit result can often be improved by resitting in a later series; talk to the school before deciding.
- Keep AS results in view: they count towards the final A Level grade.
- Check the entry requirements of likely universities; some ask for specific grades in Maths or Physics.
Sources: published specification outlines for Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Physics and Mathematics.
ExaminerPrep is an independent tutoring service. It has been developed independently from and is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization, Cambridge University Press & Assessment or Pearson Edexcel. Course and qualification names are used for descriptive purposes only. Schools differ in how they schedule the courses: always check dates and requirements with your child’s school.