Free A Level Maths (UK) baseline test: start of Year 13

Find out where a student is starting from at the start of Year 13. 20 multiple-choice questions on the Year 12 content of Edexcel, AQA and OCR A Level Maths: algebra and functions, coordinate geometry, the binomial expansion, trigonometry, logarithms, calculus, the binomial distribution and mechanics, marked instantly, with a report that shows which topics are secure and which need work.

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What it covers

The test is written for the start of Year 13 of A Level Maths (UK). It covers the Year 12 content of Edexcel, AQA and OCR A Level Maths: algebra and functions, coordinate geometry, the binomial expansion, trigonometry, logarithms, calculus, the binomial distribution and mechanics. Each question is tagged with the topic it tests, so the report maps straight onto the course:

How it works

Two sample questions

These are like the questions in the test, with different numbers. They are not in the test itself.

Sample 1 · Logarithms

Find the exact value of \(\log_{3}\left(\frac{1}{9}\right)\).

  1. \(-2\)
  2. \(2\)
  3. \(0\)
  4. \(-\frac{1}{2}\)
Show the answer and working

Answer: A

\(\frac{1}{9} = 3^{-2}\), so the logarithm is \(-2\).

B is what you get if you got the sign of the power wrong. C is what you get if you divided the number by the base. D is what you get if you found the reciprocal of the power.

Sample 2 · Differentiating powers of x

What is the gradient of \(y = x^{2} - 5x + 2\) at the point where \(x = 4\)?

  1. \(-2\)
  2. \(3\)
  3. \(2\)
  4. \(-13\)
Show the answer and working

Answer: B

\(\frac{dy}{dx} = 2x - 5\); at \(x = 4\) the gradient is \(3\).

A is what you get if you substituted into y instead of dy/dx. C is what you get if you differentiated twice. D is what you get if you made a sign error substituting.

What the report looks like

Example report (made-up results for one student):

Score 13 / 20 (65%)

Each weak topic links to practice on that topic, and each wrong answer names the common mistake it comes from (for example “moved a number across without changing its sign”).

Questions students and teachers ask

Is the baseline test free?

Yes. The test, the result and the topic report are free. Sign in with a free account (Google, Microsoft or email) so your result is saved; there is no payment and no card. Teachers use it free with a class too: printable papers, answer sheets and the class report come with a free teacher account.

How long does it take?

20 multiple-choice questions, about 40 minutes. A calculator is allowed. A teacher can set it as a timed test.

Can it be done on paper?

Yes. A teacher prints the question paper and a one-page answer sheet. Students fill in one bubble per question; a photo of the sheet is read for you. The bubbles are read twice (on the device and with AI), and any question where the readings disagree is shown on screen to check. Everyone can also answer online by clicking A, B, C or D.

What does the result show?

The score, a topic-by-topic report with the weakest topics first, the common mistake behind each wrong answer, and links to practise each weak topic. It shows where a student is starting from; it is not a grade prediction.

Can a student take it more than once?

Each student takes each test once (and once for each class it is set for), so the result stays a fair starting point. Teachers release class results when everyone has finished.

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