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TMUA FAQ
Scoring, sittings, calculators, formulae, negative marking, the induction myth, resits, access arrangements, bursaries and prep — answered plainly for Year 13. For depth, follow the guide links under each answer.
Broadly: around 4.5 is modal (most common), 5.0–6.0 is strong, and 6.0–6.5+ is competitive for the most selective courses. There is no official pass mark — see scores explained for the full distribution.
Each paper is reported 1–9 to one decimal place, with an overall score combining both. Scores are statistically equated so a 6.0 means the same standard each year.
There is no fixed number — equating moves the raw requirement with paper difficulty each year. Roughly two-thirds or more per paper on an average paper is the usual orientation, not a boundary.
UAT-UK recalibrated the reporting scale in 2024. Scores remain 1–9, but compare pre-2024 and post-2024 scores cautiously rather than decimal-to-decimal.
None publish a weighting. Both paper scores and an overall score are reported, so treat the papers as equal and fix your weaker one first.
October 12–16, 2026 and January 4–8, 2027 at Pearson VUE centres. Book a specific slot inside the window — popular centres fill early.
£75 in the UK, £133 outside the UK (plus possible local charges). Bursary support can cover the fee for eligible pupils — ask your exams officer early.
Year 13 applicants usually sit in October so scores arrive for shortlisting; gap-year candidates or later decisions may suit January. Confirm your courses accept your sitting.
Photo ID matching your registration name exactly (passport, driving licence or accepted school photo ID). Mismatched details cause refusal — check UAT-UK's current rules before travelling.
At Pearson VUE test centres, computer-based, both papers on the same day with a short break. Arrive early and use the break to reset, not to autopsy Paper 1.
No. Calculators are banned, so all preparation must be by hand — mental arithmetic and memorised identities are part of the test.
No formula booklet is provided. Memorise exact trig values, log laws and calculus rules cold before exam day.
No — wrong and blank answers both score zero. Answer every question, guessing intelligently on the hardest ones in your final pass.
75 minutes for 20 questions per paper: 225 seconds (3 min 45 s) each. Use the 3-pass method from our prep guide rather than solving in order.
Computer-based at test centres. Practise on screen under timed conditions so scrolling, flagging and scrap-paper habits are settled before the day.
No. The syllabus is GCSE plus AS-level content with logical reasoning. Complex numbers, matrices and differential equations are out of scope — see the syllabus checklist.
Start with roughly 60% of time on your weaker paper and reunite them in fortnightly full mocks. Most pupils begin Paper-1-heavy, then shift to Paper 2 reasoning in the final month.
4–6 focused hours weekly over 8–12 weeks beats a frantic fortnight: three 30-minute drills, one review hour, one weekend session. Plans for 4, 8 and 12 weeks are in our prep guide.
The myth is that Paper 2 demands full A-level proof-writing including formal induction. It does not — you analyse and complete proofs by multiple choice. Understanding induction's structure helps, but essay-style proof is never required.
Drills first to fix weaknesses, then papers to integrate: roughly two-thirds drills early, flipping to two-thirds papers in the final month.
Resit policy is set by UAT-UK and interpreted by universities — most candidates sit once per cycle. Check UAT-UK's current rules and your courses' pages before planning around a second attempt.
Extra time and other access arrangements are available with appropriate evidence, arranged in advance through the official booking channel. Start the process as early as possible — evidence takes time.
Yes — eligible UK pupils (typically free-school-meals or comparable criteria) can have the entry fee covered. Applications run through schools before the booking deadline.
UAT-UK publishes verbatim past-paper and mark-scheme PDFs. We link out to them from our past papers hub rather than reproducing them; our bank is original practice material.
Read what the TMUA is, run five timed questions in /practice, then sit a full mock. Your error log from those two sessions is your revision plan.