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Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
MATHEMATICS 9709/12
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¬H3zZkqo9¢pR5
Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 May/June 2026
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MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 75
*
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 9626/12
Paper 1 Theory May/June 2026 Published
1 hour 45 minutes
You must answer on the question paper.
This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
No additional materials are needed. candidate responses for this component.
*
Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
INSTRUCTIONS responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
● Answer all questions. Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
● Use a black or dark blue pen. scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page. component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided. the standardisation process.
● Do not use an erasable pen. Do not use correction fluid or tape.
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
● Do not write on any bar codes. are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
● You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working. specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
● Calculators must not be used in this paper. allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
INFORMATION together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
● The total mark for this paper is 70.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
This document has 12 pages.
DC (WW) 362114/3 This document consists of 23 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, * * DFD
9709/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
2 PUBLISHED
, , General marking principles
1 A businesswoman is opening a shop which will sell sports goods. She has decided to research
into the spending habits of potential customers. All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
(a) (i) Describe one source of direct data she could use for this purpose. 1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
........................................................................................................................................... • the specific content defined in the mark scheme
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
...........................................................................................................................................
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
..................................................................................................................................... [1] 2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
(ii) Identify one source of indirect data that she could use for this purpose. 3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
........................................................................................................................................... • marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for other valid answers which go beyond the scope of the
........................................................................................................................................... syllabus and mark scheme referring to your team leader as appropriate
• the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme indicates that these features are specifically assessed in the
..................................................................................................................................... [1] question. However, the meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for what to do when candidates have not followed instructions
(b) With reference to both relevance of data and age of data, explain why the information correctly.
obtained from the direct data source may produce better quality information.
5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by the quality of the candidate responses seen.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
...................................................................................................................................................
6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with grade thresholds or grade descriptions in mind.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
................................................................................................................................................... Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 23
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [4]
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Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9626/12/M/J/26
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ĬȱùÛĩĀïÔĀĉÖéĜÀĪĂ
ĥĥõĕµµÅõõÅåąąõąµĕÕ
, * * DFD
9709/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
3 PUBLISHED
, ,
Mathematics-Specific Marking Principles
The businesswoman has decided to use indirect data for her research into the spending habits of
potential customers. 1 Unless a particular method has been specified in the question, full marks may be awarded for any correct method. However, if a calculation is required
then no marks will be awarded for a scale drawing.
Identify and explain two possible reasons, other than relevance of data and age of the data,
for her decision to use indirect data for this purpose. 2 Unless specified in the question, non-integer answers may be given as fractions, decimals or in standard form. Ignore superfluous zeros, provided that the
degree of accuracy is not affected.
reason 1 ....................................................................................................................................
3 Allow alternative conventions for notation if used consistently throughout the paper, e.g. commas being used as decimal points.
...................................................................................................................................................
4 Unless otherwise indicated, marks once gained cannot subsequently be lost, e.g. wrong working following a correct form of answer is ignored (isw).
...................................................................................................................................................
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
5 Where a candidate has misread a number or sign in the question and used that value consistently throughout, provided that number does not alter the
................................................................................................................................................... difficulty or the method required, award all marks earned and deduct just 1 A or B mark for the misread.
6 Recovery within working is allowed, e.g. a notation error in the working where the following line of working makes the candidate’s intent clear.
...................................................................................................................................................
reason 2 ....................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
...................................................................................................................................................
[4]
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 23
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9626/12/M/J/26 [Turn over
ĬØú¾Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊßü¸þ×
ĬȲúÓğĄÿåúøēíĤĜĪ½Ă
ĥĥąÕõÕåĕĥµõąąĕĥõąÕ
, ,
Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
MATHEMATICS 9709/12
¬Xz> 4mHuOªE^|6W
¬H3zZkqo9¢pR5
Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 May/June 2026
¥5¥uU E uE 5¥u5U
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 75
*
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 9626/12
Paper 1 Theory May/June 2026 Published
1 hour 45 minutes
You must answer on the question paper.
This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
No additional materials are needed. candidate responses for this component.
*
Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
INSTRUCTIONS responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
● Answer all questions. Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
● Use a black or dark blue pen. scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page. component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided. the standardisation process.
● Do not use an erasable pen. Do not use correction fluid or tape.
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
● Do not write on any bar codes. are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
● You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working. specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
● Calculators must not be used in this paper. allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
INFORMATION together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
● The total mark for this paper is 70.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
This document has 12 pages.
DC (WW) 362114/3 This document consists of 23 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, * * DFD
9709/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
2 PUBLISHED
, , General marking principles
1 A businesswoman is opening a shop which will sell sports goods. She has decided to research
into the spending habits of potential customers. All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
(a) (i) Describe one source of direct data she could use for this purpose. 1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
........................................................................................................................................... • the specific content defined in the mark scheme
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
...........................................................................................................................................
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
..................................................................................................................................... [1] 2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
(ii) Identify one source of indirect data that she could use for this purpose. 3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
........................................................................................................................................... • marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for other valid answers which go beyond the scope of the
........................................................................................................................................... syllabus and mark scheme referring to your team leader as appropriate
• the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme indicates that these features are specifically assessed in the
..................................................................................................................................... [1] question. However, the meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for what to do when candidates have not followed instructions
(b) With reference to both relevance of data and age of data, explain why the information correctly.
obtained from the direct data source may produce better quality information.
5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by the quality of the candidate responses seen.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
...................................................................................................................................................
6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with grade thresholds or grade descriptions in mind.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
................................................................................................................................................... Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 23
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [4]
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9626/12/M/J/26
ĬÖú¾Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊßú¸þ×
ĬȱùÛĩĀïÔĀĉÖéĜÀĪĂ
ĥĥõĕµµÅõõÅåąąõąµĕÕ
, * * DFD
9709/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
3 PUBLISHED
, ,
Mathematics-Specific Marking Principles
The businesswoman has decided to use indirect data for her research into the spending habits of
potential customers. 1 Unless a particular method has been specified in the question, full marks may be awarded for any correct method. However, if a calculation is required
then no marks will be awarded for a scale drawing.
Identify and explain two possible reasons, other than relevance of data and age of the data,
for her decision to use indirect data for this purpose. 2 Unless specified in the question, non-integer answers may be given as fractions, decimals or in standard form. Ignore superfluous zeros, provided that the
degree of accuracy is not affected.
reason 1 ....................................................................................................................................
3 Allow alternative conventions for notation if used consistently throughout the paper, e.g. commas being used as decimal points.
...................................................................................................................................................
4 Unless otherwise indicated, marks once gained cannot subsequently be lost, e.g. wrong working following a correct form of answer is ignored (isw).
...................................................................................................................................................
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
5 Where a candidate has misread a number or sign in the question and used that value consistently throughout, provided that number does not alter the
................................................................................................................................................... difficulty or the method required, award all marks earned and deduct just 1 A or B mark for the misread.
6 Recovery within working is allowed, e.g. a notation error in the working where the following line of working makes the candidate’s intent clear.
...................................................................................................................................................
reason 2 ....................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
...................................................................................................................................................
[4]
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 23
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9626/12/M/J/26 [Turn over
ĬØú¾Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊßü¸þ×
ĬȲúÓğĄÿåúøēíĤĜĪ½Ă
ĥĥąÕõÕåĕĥµõąąĕĥõąÕ
