A-Levels Syllabus Tracker
0 ChaptersCambridge (CAIE) & Edexcel International AS & A2 checklist with 6-stage milestone tracking and cloud sync.
A Level Syllabus 2026-27: How Cambridge and Edexcel AS and A Levels Are Structured
Last checked: 28 September 2026
An A Level is usually a two-year course, and the AS Level is its first half. How those halves are examined depends on the board. Cambridge International lets you sit AS first and carry the result forward. Pearson Edexcel International A Levels are split into units you can sit across several series. Pearson Edexcel A Levels in the UK are linear, with every paper at the end.
This tracker's built-in list follows Cambridge International syllabus codes and paper names: 12 subjects and 201 topics, with 111 at AS and 90 at A2. Edexcel students can still use it by matching topics to their unit specification and adding anything missing with Add Topic.
| Cambridge International AS and A Level | Pearson Edexcel International AS/A Level | Pearson Edexcel A Level (UK) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | AS is half the A Level content; A Level adds the A2 part | Four or six units: AS units first, then A2 units | Linear; AS is a separate qualification that does not count towards A Level |
| Ways to sit | AS only; staged (AS first, rest later); or all papers in one series | Units as you finish them, or all at the end; results are banked, then cashed in | All papers at the end of the course |
| Resits | AS marks carry forward twice within 13 months (not in all subjects) | Resit units as often as you like; the best of your two most recent attempts counts | Resit all papers; some non-exam assessment can transfer |
| Exam series | June and November; March in India | January, June and October for most subjects | Summer |
| Grades | AS: A to E. A Level: A* to E | AS: A to E. A Level: A* to E, with A* needing an A overall plus at least 90% of A2 UMS | AS: A to E. A Level: A* to E |
Which Cambridge syllabus applies to your exam year
Topic counts are this tracker's built-in list, not an official count.
| Subject (code) | Topics in tracker (AS / A2) | Syllabus for 2026 exams | Syllabus for 2027 exams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (9709) | 17 / 14 | 2026–2027 | 2026–2027 |
| Further Mathematics (9231) | 10 / 6 | 2026–2027 | 2026–2027 |
| Physics (9702) | 11 / 14 | 2025–2027 | 2025–2027 |
| Chemistry (9701) | 22 / 12 | 2025–2027 | 2025–2027 |
| Biology (9700) | 11 / 8 | 2025–2027 | 2025–2027 |
| Computer Science (9618) | 10 / 10 | 2026 | 2027–2029 |
| Economics (9708) | 7 / 8 | 2026–2028 | 2026–2028 |
| Business (9609) | 7 / 6 | 2026–2028 | 2026–2028 |
| Psychology (9990) | 7 / 4 | 2024–2026 | 2027 |
| English Literature (9695) | 4 / 2 | 2024–2026 | 2027–2028 |
| History (9489) | 2 / 2 | 2026 | 2027–2029 |
| Accounting (9706) | 3 / 4 | 2026–2028 | 2026–2028 |
Structure and grading
- Cambridge routes: take AS only, take AS in one series and finish the A Level later, or sit every paper in one series at the end of the course.
- Maths 9709 example: AS is Pure Mathematics 1 plus one of Pure Mathematics 2, Mechanics or Probability and Statistics 1. The Pure-only route (Papers 1 and 2) cannot be carried forward to A Level.
- Edexcel International units: each unit gets a UMS mark and grade. When all units are done, your school cashes them in for an overall grade. Unit codes start with W, AS cash-ins with X and A Level cash-ins with Y.
Exam series and deadlines
Cambridge International holds AS and A Level exams in June and November, with results in August and January. Schools in India can also use a March series, with results in May. Pearson Edexcel International A Levels run in January, June and October for most subjects. Pearson Edexcel UK A Levels are a summer series; summer 2026 results reached students on 13 August 2026.
Entries go through your school or exam centre, which sets its own deadline ahead of the board's. Talk to your exams officer early about resits or carry forward.
How to use the tracker's milestones
- Choose / Edit Subjects offers presets (STEM, Pre-Med, CS and Tech, Commerce, Humanities) or any mix of the 12 subjects.
- Curriculum Level switches between All, AS-Level and A2-Level.
- Six milestones per topic: Spec Read (20%), Notes (15%), Topical QP (20%), Past Papers (20%), Mark Scheme (15%) and Revision (10%). A topic shows as Mastered at 100%.
- ★ High-Yield Only narrows the list to the topics flagged as most examined.
- Add Topic covers practicals, school mocks or Edexcel units, with a subject, level and unit or paper code. Signing in with Google is needed to tick milestones and sync.
A realistic plan with past papers and mark schemes
- First year (AS): tick Spec Read and Notes as each topic is taught, then do Topical QP within the week.
- Before AS exams or the end of year one: sit full AS papers under timed conditions and mark them with the official Mark Scheme and examiner report.
- Second year (A2): repeat the cycle for A2 topics. If you sit everything at the end, or you are on the UK linear route, keep AS topics in your revision too.
- Final term: full timed papers for every component, reviewed the same day.
- Every week: log your hours with a free online study timer or the group study timer. See A Level study hours for weekly targets.
Common mistakes
- Planning a 2028 exam from a 2025–2027 or 2026–2027 syllabus.
- Assuming an AS result can be used at any time; at Cambridge the limit is twice within 13 months.
- Mixing boards: a Cambridge Paper 3 and an Edexcel P3 unit do not cover exactly the same content.
- Stopping at topical questions and meeting full papers for the first time in the exam hall.
More detail is in how to prepare for A Levels and the best study techniques.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between AS Level and A Level?
What is A2 in A Levels?
Can I carry forward my Cambridge AS Level result to A Level?
When are Cambridge and Edexcel A Level exams held?
Which A Level syllabus should I use if my exams are in 2028?
Can I use this tracker for Edexcel International A Level?
Sources checked in September 2026: Cambridge International AS and A Level qualification, Cambridge Mathematics 9709 syllabus 2026-2027, Cambridge Mathematics 9709 subject page, Cambridge results services, About Pearson Edexcel International A Levels, Pearson International A Level results explained, Pearson A level results explained.