The purpose of this survey was to study the ways in which secondary school pupils come to choose or reject mathematics as an A-level subject. Variables The survey consists of two parts. The first part was concerned with A level results from 24 schools. The second is a longitudinal survey with data from the third, fifth and sixth forms of 5 comprehensive secondary shools. The variables studied in the second part were concerned with pupils' choice of job, selection of subject options and attitudes to school subjects. Particular attention was paid to mathematics and about 30 items were included on this subject both in the third and fifth years. Other variables included scores on Test AH4, teachers' assessment for mathematics, and O-level grades for several subjects.