Edexcel IAL M1 mock exam: what is on it and how to revise
The WME01 paper format, free M1 mini-mocks to sit, a 2-week and a 4-week revision plan, and the M1 mistakes that cost the most marks. Everything here is free.
By Pete Bromfield, former Head of Maths with IB examining experience (independent)
What is on the IAL M1 mock
Your school writes or chooses your mock, so ask your teacher which units and topics are in it. Most mocks copy the real Pearson Edexcel exam, which for M1 Mechanics 1 is one paper:
| Paper | Time | Marks | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanics M1 | 1 h 30 min | 75 | Allowed |
As listed on Pearson's website. M1 is examined on its own, so a mock for several units is several separate papers. More on M1: IAL M1 past papers · M1 topics and questions · IAL formula sheet.
Sit a free IAL M1 mock
Sit one paper under timed conditions before you revise: the marks you lose tell you which topics to fix first.
Start here
Two M1 mini-mocks, free to sit
Our own M1 papers at the real exam's pace (75 marks in 90 minutes), answered on screen.
Every question is free to read and a free account marks your answers; the mark scheme comes with an A Level plan or the free 7-day trial.
The real thing
Pearson's own M1 past papers
Pearson publishes IAL papers and mark schemes on its website. Our page links to every M1 paper Pearson has made public and has an exam timer.
Print it
Practice exam (PDF)
M1 Vectors in Mechanics: a printable exam with its own mark scheme.
2-week IAL M1 mock revision plan
Ten days on the M1 topics, in the order our Examiner Insights rank them, then four days on papers. Each topic links to its revision page and a Skill Builder.
- Days 1 and 2
Vectors in mechanics
- Days 3 and 4
Friction, planes and statics
- Days 5 and 6
Momentum and impulse
- Day 7
Moments
- Day 8
Connected particles and pulleys
- Day 9
Kinematics and motion graphs
- Day 10
Forces and Newton's laws
- Day 11
M1 mini-mock A, timed
Sit M1 mini-mock A in one go: 46 minutes, with the formula booklet.
- Day 12
Mark it and fix the gaps
Check your answers, put every lost mark in My mistakes, then do the Skill Builders for your two weakest topics.
- Day 13
A full paper, timed
Sit a recent paper from the IAL M1 past papers: 1 hour 30 minutes for 75 marks. Short of time? Do M1 mini-mock B instead.
- Day 14
Formulas and calculator
Learn the IAL formulas not in the booklet, then run the calculator exam-day checklist. Rest the evening before.
4-week IAL M1 mock revision plan
Four weeks lets you go through every M1 topic in more depth and sit three timed papers. Topics where students lose the most marks come first.
Show the 4 weeks, topic by topic
- Week 1
Vectors in mechanics · Friction, planes and statics · Momentum and impulse
Start with a diagnostic: M1 mini-mock A (46 minutes), timed. Then:
- Week 2
Moments · Connected particles and pulleys
End the week by redoing everything in My mistakes.
- Week 3
Kinematics and motion graphs · Forces and Newton's laws, then a full paper
At the weekend, sit a full paper from the IAL M1 past papers, timed, and mark it.
- Week 4
Papers and the last gaps
Sit M1 mini-mock B and another full M1 past paper, each timed. Spend the days between on the Skill Builders for your weakest topics, the formulas not in the booklet and the calculator checklist.
Want the four weeks ticked off and a reminder each Monday? Mock Season Plan counts back from your mock date. Only 12 days? Use the 12-day IAL Maths mock plan.
The IAL M1 mistakes that cost the most marks
From our summary of Pearson Edexcel’s published examiner reports for IAL M1 (WME01). Check your mock against each one.
Too many significant figures after using g = 9.8
Fix: After using g = 9.8, round final answers to 2 or 3 s.f. Exact multiples of g are usually fine.
Momentum: directions and signs
Fix: Choose a positive direction, sign every velocity, and state the direction of the answer.
Moments: say where you take moments; use a point that removes an unknown
Fix: Take moments about the point where an unknown force acts (often a support that is about to lose contact).
Vectors: speed versus velocity, i and j swapped, bearings
Fix: Speed = magnitude. Draw the vector and measure bearings clockwise from north. Give answers in the form asked.
Friction and inclined planes: R, the direction of F, sin and cos
Fix: Resolve perpendicular to the plane for R (mg cos θ plus any other perpendicular components), then F = μR in the direction opposing motion.
Worked examples of each, and the rest of the list: where IAL M1 students lose marks.
Make your mock revision count: free account
- The whole mark scheme of a free mini-mockOpen the full mark scheme of the P1 mini-mock A (our free sample), not just its first 5 questions.
- Build your own mockPick your weak topics and take a test made from the free questions, then mark it.
- My mistakesEvery question you get wrong goes into one list, ready to retry before the mock.
Make a free account: no card needed5 more practice questions on every topic with instant feedback, answers and mark schemes on free questions, and your streak and progress on any device.
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Common questions
What is on the IAL M1 mock exam?
Your school sets it, so check with your teacher. The real M1 Mechanics 1 exam (WME01/01) is one paper of 1 hour 30 minutes for 75 marks, and a calculator is allowed.
Is there a free IAL M1 mock paper?
Yes. Our M1 mini-mocks are free to sit. Every question is free to read and a free account marks your answers; the mark scheme comes with an A Level plan or the free 7-day trial. Pearson publishes its own M1 past papers on its website; our IAL M1 past papers page links to each one.
Can I use a calculator in IAL M1?
Yes. A calculator is allowed in every Edexcel IAL Maths unit, including M1. Show your working anyway: many marks are for the method.
How long should I revise for my IAL M1 mock?
Two weeks is enough for a focused plan: ten days on the M1 topics, then papers. Four weeks lets you cover every topic in more depth and sit three timed papers. Both plans are on this page.
Which units are in an IAL Maths mock?
Ask your teacher: it depends on which units you are taking next. Each unit is a separate paper, and each has its own page here: P1, P2, P3, P4, S1, M1.
Other IAL units
IAL P1 mock exam · IAL P2 mock exam · IAL P3 mock exam · IAL P4 mock exam · IAL S1 mock exam · all A Level Maths mock exams
Also for M1: M1 topics and questions · IAL Maths hub · Examiner Insights · IAL Skill Builders · exam season plans
Independent revision resource, not produced or endorsed by Pearson Edexcel, AQA or OCR. Every mock paper and question on this page is our own; the boards' papers are linked on their own websites.
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