A-level
MATHEMATICS
7357/3
Paper 3
Mark scheme
June 2026
Version: 1.0 Final
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL MATHEMATICS – 7357/3 – JUNE 2026
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the
gender identity of others in their exam responses.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in
exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from
information
AQA retains the on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own
internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third
party even for internal use within the centre.
AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL MATHEMATICS – 7357/3 – JUNE 2026
Mark scheme instructions to examiners
General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
• the total marks available for the question
• marking instructions that indicate when marks should be awarded or withheld including the principle
on which each mark is awarded. Information is included to help the examiner make his or her
judgement and to delineate what is creditworthy from that not worthy of credit
• a typical solution. This response is one we expect to see frequently. However credit must be given on
the basis of the marking instructions.
If a student uses a method which is not explicitly covered by the marking instructions the same
principles of marking should be applied. Credit should be given to any valid methods. Examiners should
seek advice from their senior examiner if in any doubt.
Key to mark types
M mark is for method
R mark is for reasoning
A mark is dependent on M marks and is for accuracy
B mark is independent of M marks and is for method and accuracy
E mark is for explanation
F follow through from previous incorrect result
Key to mark scheme abbreviations
CAO correct answer only
CSO correct solution only
ft follow through from previous incorrect result
‘their’ indicates that credit can be given from previous incorrect result
ISW Ignore subsequent working
AWFW anything which falls within
AWRT anything which rounds to
ACF any correct form
AG answer given
SC special case
OE or equivalent
NMS no method shown
PI possibly implied
sf significant figure(s)
dp decimal place(s)
3
MATHEMATICS
7357/3
Paper 3
Mark scheme
June 2026
Version: 1.0 Final
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL MATHEMATICS – 7357/3 – JUNE 2026
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the
gender identity of others in their exam responses.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in
exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from
information
AQA retains the on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own
internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third
party even for internal use within the centre.
AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
, MARK SCHEME – A-LEVEL MATHEMATICS – 7357/3 – JUNE 2026
Mark scheme instructions to examiners
General
The mark scheme for each question shows:
• the marks available for each part of the question
• the total marks available for the question
• marking instructions that indicate when marks should be awarded or withheld including the principle
on which each mark is awarded. Information is included to help the examiner make his or her
judgement and to delineate what is creditworthy from that not worthy of credit
• a typical solution. This response is one we expect to see frequently. However credit must be given on
the basis of the marking instructions.
If a student uses a method which is not explicitly covered by the marking instructions the same
principles of marking should be applied. Credit should be given to any valid methods. Examiners should
seek advice from their senior examiner if in any doubt.
Key to mark types
M mark is for method
R mark is for reasoning
A mark is dependent on M marks and is for accuracy
B mark is independent of M marks and is for method and accuracy
E mark is for explanation
F follow through from previous incorrect result
Key to mark scheme abbreviations
CAO correct answer only
CSO correct solution only
ft follow through from previous incorrect result
‘their’ indicates that credit can be given from previous incorrect result
ISW Ignore subsequent working
AWFW anything which falls within
AWRT anything which rounds to
ACF any correct form
AG answer given
SC special case
OE or equivalent
NMS no method shown
PI possibly implied
sf significant figure(s)
dp decimal place(s)
3
