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Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
MATHEMATICS 9709/12
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Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 February/March 2026
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MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 75
*
MATHEMATICS 9709/12
Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 February/March 2026 Published
1 hour 50 minutes
You must answer on the question paper.
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
You will need: List of formulae (MF19) examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
*
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs. Teachers.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided. Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
● Do not use an erasable pen. Do not use correction fluid or tape.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the February/March 2026 series for most
● Do not write on any bar codes.
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
● If additional space is needed, you should use the lined page at the end of this booklet; the question components.
number or numbers must be clearly shown.
● You should use a calculator where appropriate.
● You must show all necessary working clearly; no marks will be given for unsupported answers from
a calculator.
● Give non-exact numerical answers correct to 3 significant figures, or 1 decimal place for angles in
degrees, unless a different level of accuracy is specified in the question.
INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 75.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
This document has 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (PQ/SG) 358735/1 This document consists of 21 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 February/March 2026
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
2 PUBLISHED
, , Generic Marking Principles
BLANK PAGE
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the specific content of the
mark scheme or generic level descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
Marks must be awarded in line with:
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the
syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the question as
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may be limited
according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in
mind.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 21
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Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9709/12/F/M/26
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, * * DFD
9709/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
3 PUBLISHED
, ,
Mathematics-Specific Marking Principles
1 The equation of a curve is
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
y = x 3 - 3x 2 + 9 . then no marks will be awarded for a scale drawing.
Find the coordinates of the stationary points of the curve and determine their nature. [5] 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.
....................................................................................................................................................................
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.
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Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 21
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Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9709/12/F/M/26 [Turn over
ĬÏĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÞú¸þ×
ĬČøóÒĪċĒÐăíæÑÐĔùĒĂ
ĥµõÕõõąĕąåÕÅąµÅµÅÕ
, ,
Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
MATHEMATICS 9709/12
¬O. 4mHuOªE_z6W
¬us[¬Rv-NxAª
Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 February/March 2026
¥¥uueeU E5uU
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 75
*
MATHEMATICS 9709/12
Paper 1 Pure Mathematics 1 February/March 2026 Published
1 hour 50 minutes
You must answer on the question paper.
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
You will need: List of formulae (MF19) examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
*
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs. Teachers.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided. Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
● Do not use an erasable pen. Do not use correction fluid or tape.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the February/March 2026 series for most
● Do not write on any bar codes.
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
● If additional space is needed, you should use the lined page at the end of this booklet; the question components.
number or numbers must be clearly shown.
● You should use a calculator where appropriate.
● You must show all necessary working clearly; no marks will be given for unsupported answers from
a calculator.
● Give non-exact numerical answers correct to 3 significant figures, or 1 decimal place for angles in
degrees, unless a different level of accuracy is specified in the question.
INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 75.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
This document has 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.
DC (PQ/SG) 358735/1 This document consists of 21 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 February/March 2026
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
2 PUBLISHED
, , Generic Marking Principles
BLANK PAGE
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the specific content of the
mark scheme or generic level descriptions for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
Marks must be awarded in line with:
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:
Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the
syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the question as
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may be limited
according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in
mind.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 21
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9709/12/F/M/26
ĬÍĊ®Ġ´íÈõÏĪÅĊÞü¸þ×
ĬČ÷ôÚĠćĢéõĄģąèÈùĢĂ
ĥµąĕµĕĥõĕÕąÅąÕåõÕÕ
, * * DFD
9709/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme February/March 2026
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
3 PUBLISHED
, ,
Mathematics-Specific Marking Principles
1 The equation of a curve is
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
y = x 3 - 3x 2 + 9 . then no marks will be awarded for a scale drawing.
Find the coordinates of the stationary points of the curve and determine their nature. [5] 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.
....................................................................................................................................................................
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.
....................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS MARGIN
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Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 21
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Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9709/12/F/M/26 [Turn over
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