For a two-tailed test with $H_0: p = 0.5$, $H_1: p \neq 0.5$, $n = 20$, and $\alpha = 0.10$, find the critical region.
A Level Maths · Statistics · Year 12 and 13
A Level Maths Hypothesis Testing revision
Hypothesis testing follows the same routine every time: hypotheses, test statistic or critical region, comparison, and a conclusion in context. Most lost marks are in the wording of that conclusion.
- Same content for AQA, Edexcel and OCR
- Step-by-step mark schemes
- 7 days of full access free, no card
Try it first
1 of 5
- Question 1 of 5
- Question 2 of 5
- Question 3 of 5
- Question 4 of 5
- Question 5 of 5
Start with one question on hypothesis testing. Stuck? Take a hint. No sign-in needed.
5 more like this — free accountGoogle, Microsoft or email. No card needed.
Hypothesis Testing in Year 12 and Year 13
AS content is usually taught in Year 12. The full A Level adds the Year 13 content. Sitting AS exams or mocks? See the AS Level Maths checklist.
Year 12 (AS content)
- The language of hypothesis testing: null and alternative hypotheses, significance level, critical value and region, p-value
- One-tailed and two-tailed tests for the proportion in a binomial distribution
Year 13 (full A Level only)
- Testing for the mean of a normal distribution with known variance
- Testing for zero correlation using the product moment correlation coefficient
Then practise: skills to practise · open hypothesis testing practice questions.
Try it: normal distribution calculator · binomial distribution calculator · correlation and regression calculator (free, shows the working)
Hypothesis Testing on the AQA, Edexcel and OCR papers
Every board examines the same A Level Maths content, set by the Department for Education. Only the paper it appears on and the section numbering differ.
| Board | Specification reference | Examined in |
|---|---|---|
| AQA 7357 | AQA section O | Paper 3 |
| Edexcel 9MA0 | Edexcel topic Statistics 5 | Paper 3, Section A |
| OCR A H240 | OCR reference 2.05 | Paper 2, statistics section |
Statistics questions can be set in the context of your board's large data set: large data set guides and practice (Edexcel · AQA · OCR A).
A Level Maths hypothesis testing exam-style questions
Three examples from the question bank, one with its full mark scheme open. Every question comes with a step-by-step mark scheme (M, A and B marks) once you start practising.
State what the letters $H_0$ and $H_1$ represent in a hypothesis test.
Mark scheme: in the 7-day free trial.
A shop claims that 30% of visitors make a purchase. A random sample of 20 visitors is chosen. Let $X$ be the number who purchase. Under $H_0: p = 0.3$, and $X \sim B(20, 0.3)$, find $P(X \ge 10)$.
Full worked solution Free, no sign-in
Every question here has a full worked solution. See them all →
A dice manufacturer claims each face is equally likely. A student throws the dice 60 times and gets a 6 on 15 occasions. Test at 5% significance whether the dice is biased in favour of 6.
Mark scheme: in the 7-day free trial.
Questions are original and written in the style of Edexcel 9MA0, and cover content that AQA and OCR examine too. They are not past-paper questions.
Full question sets with mark schemes: binomial hypothesis testing questions (15) · correlation hypothesis testing questions (12) · hypothesis testing for a normal mean questions (15)
Revision notes: Hypothesis testing with the binomial distribution · Hypothesis test for the mean of a normal distribution · Hypothesis test for correlation
Skills you can practise
These skills sit in the Statistics unit of the UK A Level practice engine. Pick any mix of them, set the difficulty, and check each answer against its mark scheme.
Past paper questions on hypothesis testing
Hypothesis testing can come up on these papers (from each board's paper structure). We haven't mapped individual questions yet, so open a recent paper and look for it.
| Board | Recent papers that can test it |
|---|---|
| Edexcel 9MA0 | Paper 3: June 2025, June 2024, June 2023 |
| AQA 7357 | Paper 3: June 2025, June 2024, June 2023 |
| OCR H240 | Paper 2: June 2025, June 2024, June 2023 |
Papers are © the exam boards; each page links to the official question paper and mark scheme. All A Level Maths past papers →
Hypothesis Testing: common questions
Is hypothesis testing on the AQA, Edexcel and OCR A Level Maths exams?
Yes. Hypothesis Testing is part of the A Level Maths content that every board examines: AQA section O, Edexcel Statistics 5, OCR 2.05. It is assessed in AQA Paper 3; Edexcel Paper 3, Section A; OCR A Paper 2, statistics section.
Is hypothesis testing Year 12 or Year 13 content?
Both. The AS content, usually taught in Year 12, is: The language of hypothesis testing: null and alternative hypotheses, significance level, critical value and region, p-value; One-tailed and two-tailed tests for the proportion in a binomial distribution. The full A Level adds: Testing for the mean of a normal distribution with known variance; Testing for zero correlation using the product moment correlation coefficient.
How should I word the conclusion of a hypothesis test?
Say whether there is sufficient evidence to reject H₀ at the stated significance level, then say what that means in the context of the question. Avoid 'proves' or 'accept H₁'.
Your hypothesis testing revision kit
- A Level formula sheet (free PDF)The formulas on one page, with the ones your booklet leaves out marked.
- Binomial probabilities on your calculatorKeystrokes step by step for the calculators allowed on every A Level paper.
- Past papers and mark schemesLinks to the boards' own papers, with a timer and topic practice.
- Large data set guidesWhat each board's data set contains, with practice questions and worked solutions.
More A Level Maths statistics topics
Stretch yourself: original probability problems at Senior level (ages 16 to 18), with hints and full solutions: Problem S29 · Problem S102 · Problem S30 · Problem S103. All 20 →
- Themed lesson: Big tournament statistics maths lesson · Estimation station and class survey maths lesson · All themed maths
- Knowledge organiser: Hypothesis testing on one page (printable)
Thinking about an EPQ? Maths EPQ ideas that use this topic: P-values and the replication crisis · Can people be random? · How big should a clinical trial be? · all 93 ideas
Find your weakest A Level Maths topic in 5 minutes.
Free, no sign-up. Then try every topic for 7 days, no card needed.
Take the free diagnostic