A level Maths formula sheet 2026: What is given and what you must memorise

An A Level Maths formula sheet is an official document provided by exam boards during certain A Level Mathematics papers, listing key formulae students can reference instead of memorising them. However, not every formula is included, and knowing exactly which ones are given versus which ones you must learn by heart is one of the most strategic advantages you can have going into exam season. This guide covers what Cambridge, AQA, and Edexcel provide in their formula booklets, which formulae you must memorise yourself, and how to build an efficient revision plan around this knowledge. Let’s get started.

Does A level Mathematics provide a formula sheet in the exam?

Yes, A Level Mathematics ^[1] does provide a formula sheet in the exam, but the scope of what is included varies significantly depending on your exam board. Cambridge, AQA, and Edexcel each have their own approach, and many students lose marks simply because they either rely on a formula that is not actually given or waste revision time memorising something that is already in the booklet.

A common mistake we see at Times Edu is students treating the formula sheet as a safety net for everything. The reality is that the sheet covers only a fraction of the formulae tested in the exam. You are still expected to recall a substantial number of formulae from memory, apply them accurately under time pressure, and know when to derive rather than recall.

Understanding this distinction early, ideally at the start of Year 12, gives you a structural advantage in how you plan your studies.

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What formulae Cambridge A level Mathematics provides in the exam

Cambridge A Level Mathematics (syllabus 9709) uses the Cambridge International Education List MF19, commonly called the Cambridge 9709 formula booklet. This document is provided in all Cambridge A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics exams.

The MF19 includes formulae across pure mathematics, mechanics, and statistics. Here is a summary of what is typically covered:

One critical detail often overlooked by students sitting Cambridge 9709 is that the MF19 gives the formulae but does not explain how or when to apply them. Seeing the formula in the booklet does not mean you can score marks. You must understand the context and conditions under which each formula applies, which only comes from deliberate practice.

The MF19 is freely available on the Cambridge Assessment International Education website. We strongly recommend printing a copy and annotating it as part of your revision from the first term.

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What formulae AQA and Edexcel A level Mathematics provide in their exams

Students following UK domestic exam boards face a slightly different situation. Both AQA and Edexcel provide formula sheets, but what is included differs from Cambridge and from each other.

Edexcel A Level Maths formulae are provided through the Pearson Edexcel Formulae Book. This booklet is given in all Edexcel A Level Mathematics papers and includes:

• Pure mathematics: Differentiation and integration of standard functions, trigonometric identities, series expansions
• Statistics: Critical values for statistical tests, the normal distribution standardisation formula
• Mechanics: Formulae for kinematics are generally not provided and must be memorised

AQA Maths formula sheet follows a similar pattern. AQA provides a formulae and statistical tables booklet that accompanies all A Level papers. Key inclusions are:

• Binomial and normal distribution tables
• Standard derivatives and integrals
• Selected trigonometric identities

The table below compares what each board typically provides versus what you are expected to recall:

A common mistake we see is students assuming that because Edexcel provides more than they expect, AQA will do the same, or vice versa. Always check your specific board’s most recent formula sheet before every exam sitting, because the documents are occasionally updated.

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Which formulae you must memorise for A level Mathematics that are not given

This is where the real preparation begins. Across all three boards, there is a core set of formulae that are not provided and that you are fully expected to know from memory. Getting these wrong in an exam is a direct mark loss that is entirely preventable.

Pure mathematics formulae to memorise:

• Quadratic formula: The exam may test your ability to apply this without providing it, depending on the question structure
• Arithmetic series: $un = a + (n-1)d$ and $Sn = \frac{n}{2}[2a + (n-1)d]$
• Geometric series: $un = ar^{n-1}$, $Sn = \frac{a(1-r^n)}{1-r}$, and the sum to infinity $S_\infty = \frac{a}{1-r}$ when $|r| < 1$
• Small angle approximations: $\sin\theta \approx \theta$, $\cos\theta \approx 1 – \frac{\theta^2}{2}$, $\tan\theta \approx \theta$ (all with $\theta$ in radians)
• Arc length and sector area: $s = r\theta$ and Area $= \frac{1}{2}r^2\theta$
• Pythagorean identity: $\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1$

Mechanics formulae to memorise:

The kinematics equations for constant acceleration are among the most frequently tested and least provided. You must know all five:

• $V = u + at$
• $S = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2$
• $V^2 = u^2 + 2as$
• $S = \frac{1}{2}(u + v)t$
• $S = vt – \frac{1}{2}at^2$

Newton’s second law ($F = ma$) and weight ($W = mg$) are so foundational that examiners expect instant recall.

Statistics formulae to memorise:

• Probability addition rule: $P(A \cup B) = P(A) + P(B) – P(A \cap B)$
• Independent events: $P(A \cap B) = P(A) \times P(B)$
• Normal distribution standardisation: $Z = \frac{X – \mu}{\sigma}$

Drawing on years of experience at Times Edu, we have found that students who create a dedicated “must memorise” list separate from their general notes perform noticeably better in the final weeks before exams, because they can focus their active recall sessions precisely on the gaps that cost marks.

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Topic-by-topic formula checklist for A level Mathematics students

Use this checklist as a revision tool. Mark each formula as “Given” (G), “Must Memorise” (M), or “Partially Given” (P, meaning it appears in some boards but not others).

Print this table, pin it above your desk, and tick each formula off as you achieve confident, untimed recall followed by timed practice.

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How to memorise A level Mathematics formulae effectively for exam season

Knowing which formulae to memorise is only half the challenge. The other half is building retention that holds under exam pressure. In our experience working with international students preparing for A Level Mathematics, three approaches consistently outperform passive reading.

1. Spaced repetition with active writing

Write each formula out by hand without looking at your notes. Check it. Correct any errors. Return to it 24 hours later, then 3 days later, then a week later. This spacing forces long-term encoding rather than short-term cramming. Flashcard apps like Anki work well for this system.

2. Derivation practice for understanding, not just recall

Some formulae, particularly in statistics and pure mathematics, can be derived from first principles. When you understand where a formula comes from, you are far less likely to misremember it. For example, deriving the sum of a geometric series from the concept of cancellation makes it almost impossible to forget.

3. Contextual application under timed conditions

A formula memorised in isolation is only half useful. Practice retrieving and applying each formula within a complete question under timed conditions. This is the only way to know whether your recall is genuinely exam-ready or just comfortable-environment recall.

One critical detail often overlooked is the difference between recognising a formula and producing it independently. Many students can identify a formula when they see it but cannot write it correctly from memory. Your revision sessions must test production, not just recognition.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Cambridge A level Mathematics provide a formula booklet in the exam?

Yes. Cambridge A Level Mathematics (9709) provides the MF19 formula booklet in all examination papers. It includes standard derivatives and integrals, trigonometric identities, and statistical tables. However, many applied formulae, particularly in mechanics and probability, are not included and must be memorised.

Which trigonometric formulae are given in A level Mathematics exams?

Compound angle identities (such as $\sin(A \pm B)$ and $\cos(A \pm B)$) and double angle formulae are generally provided across Cambridge, AQA, and Edexcel. The basic identity $\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1$ is considered assumed knowledge and is not always listed. Small angle approximations are typically not provided and must be memorised.

Which calculus formulae must you memorise for A level Mathematics?

Standard derivatives and integrals for functions like $\sin x$, $\cos x$, $e^x$, and $\ln x$ are usually given in the formula booklet. What you must memorise independently includes the conditions for integration by substitution, how to set up integration by parts from the given formula, and how to apply differentiation from first principles when required.

Which statistics formulae are provided in A level Mathematics exams?

The normal distribution standardisation formula ($Z = \frac{X – \mu}{\sigma}$), critical values, and binomial probability tables are typically provided. The probability addition rule and the multiplication rule for independent events are generally not listed and must be recalled from memory.

How many formulae do you need to memorise for A level Mathematics in total?

There is no single official count, but a practical estimate across pure, mechanics, and statistics components is approximately 25 to 40 formulae that are either not provided or are only partially given by some boards. The exact number depends on your exam board and the specific units you are taking.

Are the formulae given in A level Mathematics the same across all exam boards?

No. Cambridge (MF19), Edexcel, and AQA each have their own formula documents with different inclusions. The overlap is significant in areas like standard calculus and trigonometric identities, but mechanics formulae and some probability rules differ in whether they appear at all. Always use the formula document specific to your board.

Where can I find a complete formula list for A level Mathematics revision?

The best sources are the official exam board websites. Cambridge publishes the MF19 on the Cambridge Assessment International Education website. Edexcel’s formulae book is available through the Pearson Edexcel qualification pages. AQA’s formulae and statistical tables document is on the AQA website under the A Level Mathematics specification resources. We recommend downloading the version that matches your current syllabus year.

Conclusion

At Times Edu, our specialist A Level Mathematics tutors work with students one-on-one to build exactly this kind of structured, board-specific preparation. Whether you are following Cambridge 9709, Edexcel, or AQA, and whether you are just starting Year 12 or entering your final exam term, a personalised academic roadmap session can identify exactly where your formula knowledge stands and what needs to be strengthened before it costs you marks. Reach out to our team to book your consultation.

Daniel