A Level Maths · Statistics · Year 12 and 13
The first statistics topics are about collecting and describing data: sampling methods, averages and spread, diagrams and outliers, and interpreting correlation and regression. Explaining what a result means in context earns as many marks as the calculation.
AS content is usually taught in Year 12. The full A Level adds the Year 13 content.
For a set of 10 data points, $\bar{x} = 8$, $\bar{y} = 20$, $S_{xx} = 40$, and $S_{xy} = -30$. Find the equation of the regression line of $y$ on $x$ in the form $y = a + bx$.
Then practise: skills to practise · open sampling and data presentation practice questions.
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 K, L | Paper 3, Section B |
| Edexcel 9MA0 | Edexcel topic Statistics 1, 2 | Paper 3, Section A |
| OCR A H240 | OCR reference 2.01, 2.02 | Paper 2, statistics section |
Three examples from the question bank. Every question comes with a step-by-step mark scheme (M, A and B marks) once you start practising.
The data set $\{4, 7, x, 11, 15\}$ has a mean of $9$. Find the exact value of $x$.
Mark scheme: in the 48-hour free trial.
A researcher finds a strong positive correlation between the number of ice creams sold and the number of shark attacks at a beach. Explain why this does not mean that eating ice cream causes shark attacks.
Mark scheme: in the 48-hour free trial.
In a histogram representing continuous data, the bar for the class $20 \le t < 30$ has a frequency of 15 and is represented by an area of 30 square units. Another class $30 \le t < 50$ has a frequency of 40. Find the area of the bar representing this second class.
Mark scheme: in the 48-hour 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.
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.
Sampling and data 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 2024, June 2023, June 2022 |
| AQA 7357 | Paper 3: June 2023, June 2022, November 2021 |
| OCR H240 | Paper 2: June 2024, June 2023, June 2022 |
Papers are © the exam boards; each page links to the official question paper and mark scheme. All A Level Maths past papers →
Yes. Sampling and Data Presentation is part of the A Level Maths content that every board examines: AQA section K, L, Edexcel Statistics 1, 2, OCR 2.01, 2.02. It is assessed in AQA Paper 3, Section B; Edexcel Paper 3, Section A; OCR A Paper 2, statistics section.
Both. The AS content, usually taught in Year 12, is: Populations, samples and the census; random, systematic, stratified, quota and opportunity sampling; Mean, median, mode, variance and standard deviation, including from grouped data; Histograms, box plots, cumulative frequency and outliers; Scatter diagrams, correlation and the regression line: interpreting them in context; Your board's large data set. The full A Level adds: Using these skills with the normal distribution and hypothesis tests (see those pages).
No. In A Level Maths you use your calculator for it and interpret the value in context. Calculating it from summary statistics is not required.
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