A Level Math RevisionA Level Maths · Statistics
The A Level Maths large data set, board by board
Every UK exam board sets some A Level Maths statistics questions on its own large data set. Pick your board for a guide to the data: what it covers, the variables and units, what you are expected to know, the mistakes that cost marks, and practice questions with worked solutions.
- Edexcel, AQA and OCR A
- Original practice questions
- Links to each board's official download
Large data set guides
Edexcel 9MA0: weather data
Daily weather data provided by the Met Office. Examined in Paper 3 (Statistics and Mechanics), Section A: statistics.
Edexcel guide and questions →AQA 7357: cars data
An extract of the Department for Transport Stock Vehicle Database: one row per car. Examined in Paper 3 (Pure and statistics), Section B.
AQA guide and questions →OCR A H240: census data
Four sets of data: two from the 2001 census and two from the 2011 census. Examined in Paper 2 (Pure Mathematics and Statistics), statistics section.
OCR A guide and questions →OCR MEI (H640) has its own large data sets. This site doesn't cover the MEI specification.
How large data set questions work
- You won't have the data set in the exam. A question gives any extract or summary statistics it needs.
- Questions test normal A Level statistics (sampling, averages and spread, diagrams, correlation, probability models and hypothesis tests) in the context of the data set.
- Some marks reward knowing the data: what one row represents, where and when the data were collected, the units, and how missing or tiny values are recorded.
- The best preparation is working with the spreadsheet itself during the course: sort it, filter it, take samples and draw charts.
Revise the statistics behind the questions: Sampling and Data Presentation · Probability · Statistical Distributions · Hypothesis Testing · statistics practice questions · past papers.
Large data set: common questions
What is the large data set in A Level Maths?
Each exam board publishes a real data set that students work with during the course. Some statistics questions in the exams are set in its context, so knowing the data set (what it covers, its variables and units, and how missing values are recorded) gives you an advantage.
Do I get the large data set in the exam?
No. You don't have the data set in the exam. Questions give you any extract or summary statistics you need, and expect you to know the context: what the data are, where and when they were collected, and what the variables mean.
Which large data set does my board use?
Edexcel 9MA0: weather data from the Met Office. AQA 7357: cars data from the Department for Transport. OCR A H240: census data from the 2001 and 2011 censuses. Download it from your board's website.
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