M2 exam technique

The paper

• One written paper, 1 hour 30 minutes, 75 marks, answer all questions.
• Calculators allowed; the Mathematical Formulae and Statistical Tables booklet is provided.
• KE = (1/2)mv² and PE = mgh are not in the booklet. Centres of mass of a triangle, sector and arc are.
• P1 to P4 and M1 knowledge can be tested.

Accuracy and working

• Take g = 9.8 m/s² and give answers that use g to 2 or 3 significant figures; over-precise answers are penalised. Exact multiples of g (such as 22.5g) are usually accepted.
• If an answer is given ("show that"), show every step.
• If a method is specified ("use the work-energy principle"), other methods earn no credit.
• Label each part of your answer clearly.

Common errors from the June 2025 examiners' report

• Using suvat when the acceleration varies.
• Setting s = 0 instead of v = 0 to find when a particle turns round.
• Substituting into r instead of differentiating it.
• Giving a velocity vector when a speed is asked for.
• Using areas instead of lengths for wire frameworks.
• Counting work against gravity twice in work-energy equations.
• Giving e > 1 or the reciprocal of e.

Worked example

A student writes the answer 13.2357 m/s for a speed calculated using g = 9.8. How should it be given?

1. g = 9.8 is given to 2 significant figures.
2. Pearson asks for 2 or 3 significant figures when g has been used.

Answer: 13 m/s or 13.2 m/s

Check yourself

1. How many marks is the M2 paper worth?
   Show answer

   75 marks. The spec gives 75 marks in 1 hour 30 minutes.

2. How long is the M2 examination?
   • 2 hours
   • 1 hour
   • 2 hours 30 minutes
   • 1 hour 30 minutes
   Show answer

   1 hour 30 minutes. The written paper lasts 1 hour 30 minutes.

3. Which formula must you learn because it is not in the formulae booklet?
   • The centre of mass of a sector
   • KE = (1/2)mv²
   • The centre of mass of a circular arc
   • The centre of mass of a triangle
   Show answer

   KE = (1/2)mv². The spec lists KE = (1/2)mv² and PE = mgh as formulae students must know.

4. An answer using g is 47.3516 N. Which version matches Pearson's instruction?
   • 47.3516 N
   • 47.35 N
   • 47.4 N
   • 50 N
   Show answer

   47.4 N. Give 2 or 3 significant figures: 47 N or 47.4 N.

5. To find the total distance travelled when v = 6 - 2t, what should you solve first?
   • v = 0
   • x = 0
   • a = 0
   • t = 0
   Show answer

   v = 0. The particle turns round when v = 0; split the interval there.

6. A question describes "a uniform wire bent into the shape shown". What should be used as the mass of each piece?
   • Its area
   • Its perimeter squared
   • A quantity proportional to its length
   • The same mass for every piece
   Show answer

   A quantity proportional to its length. Uniform wire: mass per unit length is constant.

7. In a work-energy equation for a car climbing a hill, how many times should the effect of gravity appear?
   • Once, either as a PE gain or as work against the weight component
   • Twice, as PE and as work against the weight
   • Never, since gravity is conservative
   • Once for each second of motion
   Show answer

   Once, either as a PE gain or as work against the weight component. Pearson's examiners report double counting gravity as a common error.

Practise with instant feedback Print this lesson

Sources

• Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Mathematics specification (issue 3), Unit M2
• Pearson Edexcel IAL Mechanics M2 (WME02) question paper, June 2025: front-cover instructions on g and accuracy
• Pearson Edexcel IAL Mechanics M2 (WME02) examiners' report, June 2025
• Pearson Edexcel IAL Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Pure Mathematics: Mathematical Formulae and Statistical Tables (issue 2), Mechanics M2 section

Last updated 8 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.