Part C Mathematics and Philosophy Exam Conventions 2025-26

After marks for each examination script and submitted piece of work have been determined (in accordance with section 7 above), classifications in Part C are determined from each candidate's weighted overall average mark, and in the case of candidates offering options both in Mathematics and in Philosophy, possibly also, depending on the configuration of marks,  from their average mark in Mathematics and average mark in Philosophy, according to the Rules for Classification in section Rules for classification in Part C.

Candidates who offer options (ii) or (iii) among the following four options allowed in Part C will have Mathematics and Philosophy averages as well as an overall average: 

(i) Eight to ten units in Mathematics;

(ii) Six to Seven units in Mathematics and one unit in Philosophy;

(iii) Three to four units in Mathematics and two units in Philosophy;

(iv) Three units in Philosophy.

from the lists of units for Mathematics and for Philosophy.

Taking as a `unit of examination' the material examined in a three-hour exam or equivalent, options (i) and (iv)  both have the weight of 4 units of examination, as follows:  8 Mathematics units (although examined in \(8 \times 1 \frac{3}{4}\) hours) are the unit equivalent of 4 three-hour exams;  three Philosophy units in Part C are examined in 3 three-hour exams and three 5000 word essays (the M-level element of Philosophy in Part C); 3 \(\times\) 5000 words = 15000 words, which is the word limit of a Philosophy thesis in Honour Schools with Philosophy where the thesis takes the place of a subject examined by a three-hour exam.  The weight of option (ii) is 3 units of examination  in Maths and 1\(\frac{1}{3}\) units of examination in Philosophy, for a total of 4\(\frac{1}{3}\) units of examination.  The weight of option (iii) is 1\(\frac{ 1}{2}\) units of examination in Maths and 2\(\frac{2}{3}\) units of examination in Philosophy, for a total of 4\(\frac{1}{6}\) units of examination.  In these terms the weights of the mixed options (ii) and (iii) are slightly greater than the weights of the entirely Mathematics or entirely Philosophy options (i) and (iv).   At the same time, candidates offering options (ii) and (iii) have the possibility to obtain a First with an overall average mark that would not otherwise result in a First.

Please note that from 2016/17 Part B Maths exams have increased in length from 1.5 to 1.75 hours but their weighting has not changed. The additional exam length is meant to give more time to solve the problems; the exams have not increased in difficulty}