A Level Physics Past Papers: AQA, Edexcel & OCR

A Level Physics requires fluency in both conceptual understanding and mathematical application. It is one of the most intellectually demanding A Level subjects — and one of the most highly regarded by universities. Past papers are indispensable: they reveal exactly how examiners apply specification content to novel situations, and what level of precision is expected.

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AQA A Level Physics (7408)

Paper Structure

Paper	Content	Duration	Marks
Paper 1	Measurements, mechanics, materials, waves, electricity, nuclear physics	2h	85
Paper 2	Thermal physics, fields, nuclear physics, astrophysics/medical physics (optional)	2h	85
Paper 3	Section A: Practical skills. Section B: Astrophysics / Medical physics / Engineering physics / Turning points / Electronics (one option)	2h	80

Key Topic Areas

Mechanics:

• Kinematics (suvat equations)
• Newton’s laws and momentum
• Work, energy and power
• Circular motion
• Simple harmonic motion

Electricity:

• Current, pd and resistance
• Kirchhoff’s laws
• EMF and internal resistance
• Capacitors (charging/discharging)
• Electrical power

Waves and Optics:

• Transverse and longitudinal waves
• Superposition and interference
• Diffraction gratings
• Refraction and total internal reflection

Fields:

• Gravitational fields (radial and uniform)
• Electric fields (radial and uniform)
• Magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction
• Nuclear physics (radioactive decay, binding energy, fission/fusion)

AQA Physics Data and Formula Booklet

AQA provides a comprehensive data and formula booklet in all papers. Crucially, not all formulae are provided — know which must be memorised. Study the booklet carefully; many students waste time trying to memorise equations that are provided.

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Edexcel A Level Physics (9PH0)

Paper Structure

Paper	Content	Duration	Marks
Paper 1: Advanced Physics I	Mechanics, electric circuits, further mechanics, electric and magnetic fields, nuclear and particle physics	1h 45m	90
Paper 2: Advanced Physics II	Thermodynamics, space, nuclear radiation, gravitational fields, oscillations	1h 45m	90
Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Physics	Practical skills, data analysis, synoptic questions	2h 30m	120

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OCR A Level Physics (H557)

Paper Structure

Paper	Content	Duration	Marks
Paper 1: Modelling physics	Development of practical skills, forces and motion, electrons, waves, quantum behaviour	2h 15m	100
Paper 2: Exploring physics	Space, nuclear, particle and quantum physics, medical physics, telecommunications	2h 15m	100
Paper 3: Unified physics	Synoptic	1h 30m	70

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How to Use A Level Physics Past Papers Effectively

Always Show Your Working in Full

In A Level Physics, the majority of marks in calculation questions are awarded for method, not just the final answer. Even if you arrive at the wrong answer, correct working earns method marks. Never skip steps.

Write equations in symbol form first, then substitute values with units, then calculate. This shows the examiner your reasoning at every stage.

Master Graph Skills

A Level Physics papers frequently include graph-plotting and graph-analysis questions. Key skills:

• Choosing appropriate scales (axes should use more than half the grid)
• Plotting points accurately (±0.5 mm)
• Drawing the best straight line or curve through data
• Calculating gradient with a large triangle (not just two data points)
• Relating gradient to physical quantities (e.g. gradient of velocity-time graph = acceleration)

Practise Required Practicals

AQA has 12 required practicals. Paper 3 assesses practical skills directly. For each practical:

• Know the setup and method
• Know what you’re measuring and how
• Know the expected form of the result
• Know potential sources of systematic and random error

Dimensional Analysis

When you’re unsure whether a formula is correct, check it dimensionally. This catches errors and can help you reconstruct formulae you’ve half-forgotten.

Example: v = f λ → [m/s] = [Hz][m] = [1/s][m] = [m/s] ✓

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Common Mistakes in A Level Physics

Forgetting to convert units. Speed in km/h must be converted to m/s (÷3.6). Distance in km to m (×1000). eV to Joules (×1.6×10⁻¹⁹). Always check units before substituting.

Misreading graphs. Read axes carefully — the scale may not start at zero (check for false origins). Note whether axes are logarithmic.

Imprecise descriptions of electromagnetic induction. “There is a voltage” earns zero marks. “An EMF is induced in the conductor as it cuts through the magnetic flux lines, causing a current to flow” earns full marks.

Not checking significant figures. Match your answer’s significant figures to those given in the question (typically 2–3 sig figs).

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