specification overview
OCR A-Level Mathematics B (MEI) (H640) is a two-year linear qualification developed in partnership with Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI). Papers 01 and 02 are 2-hour, 100-mark papers each worth 36.4%; Paper 03 is 2 hours, 75 marks, worth 27.3% and includes a distinctive comprehension section on an unseen mathematical article.
subject content
1. Pure Mathematics
All papers- Proof, algebra and functions, coordinate geometry
- Sequences and series, trigonometry, exponentials, logarithms
- Differentiation, integration, numerical methods, vectors
2. Mechanics
Paper 01- Kinematics, forces and Newton's laws
- Energy, work and power, momentum, moments
3. Statistics
Paper 02- Data, probability and probability distributions
- Statistical hypothesis testing
4. Comprehension
Paper 03 Section B- Mathematical comprehension of an unseen article
- Application of mathematics to unfamiliar contexts
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 01 (Pure Mathematics and Mechanics) | Pure Mathematics + Mechanics | 2h | 100 | 36.4% | Structured questions across pure and mechanics |
| Paper 02 (Pure Mathematics and Statistics) | Pure Mathematics + Statistics | 2h | 100 | 36.4% | Structured questions across pure and statistics |
| Paper 03 (Pure Mathematics and Comprehension) | Pure Mathematics + a mathematical comprehension paper | 2h | 75 | 27.3% | Section A: pure mathematics. Section B: comprehension of an unseen mathematical article |
Paper 03's comprehension section is unique to MEI, students read an unseen article and answer questions applying mathematics to its context. MEI provides teaching resources tailored to the spec.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Use and apply standard techniques. | 50% |
| AO2 | Reason, interpret and communicate mathematically. | 25% |
| AO3 | Solve problems within mathematics and in other contexts. | 25% |
key tips for success
Practise the comprehension format
Paper 03 Section B is unique to MEI, an unseen mathematical article with structured questions. Practise using MEI's specimen materials so the format doesn't catch you out.
Use MEI resources
The spec is developed with Mathematics in Education and Industry, who provide tailored teaching materials, worked examples and practice questions. Use them directly.
Master proof techniques
Proof by deduction, contradiction, exhaustion, and disproof by counter-example. All three papers reward well-structured proofs.
Learn calculus fundamentals
Differentiation and integration thread through every paper. Practise substitution, parts, partial fractions and implicit differentiation until automatic.
Master hypothesis testing
Paper 02 Statistics rewards clear hypothesis-testing structure: hypotheses, test statistic, distribution, critical value, conclusion in context.
Use your calculator strategically
Graphical calculators are permitted. Learn statistical functions, equation solvers and numerical integration to save time.
Where to next
Start your learning journey today...
Practise with Cognito's free past papers for this spec – or browse grade boundaries and related specifications.
