AQA AS MATHEMATICS 7356_2 PAPER 2 COMPLETE QUESTION PAPER & MARK SCHEME (MERGED) – JUNE 2026.pdf

AQA AS MATHEMATICS 7356/2 PAPER 2 COMPLETE
QUESTION PAPER & MARK SCHEME (MERGED) – JUNE
2026


EXAM INFORMATION

| Component | Details |
|--||
| Exam Board | AQA |
| Qualification | AS Level |
| Subject | Mathematics |
| Paper | Paper 2 |
| Code | 7356/2 |
| Date | June 2026 |
| Time | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Total Marks | 80 |




PAPER STRUCTURE

| Section | Question Types | Marks |
||-|-|
| Section A | Short answer questions | ~50 marks |
| Section B | Longer response / problem solving | ~30 marks |




SECTION A – QUESTIONS 1-10




Question 1

Find the gradient of the curve with equation y = 3x² − 5x + 2 at the point where x = 2. [3 marks]

Answer: dy/dx = 6x − 5. At x = 2: 6(2) − 5 = 12 − 5 = 7

Method: Differentiate the function and substitute x = 2.

, Question 2

A curve has equation y = 4x³ − 6x + 4.

(a) Find dy/dx. [2 marks]

Answer: dy/dx = 12x² − 6

(b) Find the values of x for which the curve has stationary points. [2 marks]

Answer: Set dy/dx = 0: 12x² − 6 = 0 → 12x² = 6 → x² = 0.5 → x = ±√0.5 = ±1/√2




Question 3

Find the equation of the normal to the curve y = x² + 4x at the point where x = 1. [5 marks]

Answer: At x = 1, y = 1 + 4 = 5 → Point (1,5)
dy/dx = 2x + 4 → at x = 1, gradient = 2 + 4 = 6
Gradient of normal = -1/6
Equation: y − 5 = (-1/6)(x − 1) → y = -x/6 + 1/6 + 5 → y = -x/6 + 31/6




Question 4

The first term of an arithmetic sequence is 8 and the common difference is 4. Find the sum of
the first 20 terms. [3 marks]

Answer: S₂₀ = n/2 [2a + (n-1)d] = 20/2 [2(8) + 19(4)] = 10[16 + 76] = 10(92) = 920




Question 5

The circle with centre (3, -2) passes through the point (7, 1).

(a) Find the radius of the circle. [2 marks]

Answer: r² = (7-3)² + (1+2)² = 4² + 3² = 16 + 9 = 25 → r = 5

(b) Write down the equation of the circle. [2 marks]