Examinations

Useful Downloads

Examiner Reports 2011 May/June Series
(PDF), Last Updated: 04 November 2011

Examiner Reports 2011 January Series
(PDF), Last Updated: 12 May 2011

Examiner Reports 2010 May/June Series
(PDF), Last Updated: 01 November 2010

Examiner Reports 2010 March Series
(PDF), Last Updated: 13 May 2010

Examiner Reports 2009 May/June Series
(PDF), Last Updated: 02 December 2009

There is no coursework requirement for GCE Physics.

However, students must complete six written exams: three at AS level and a further three at A2. Students must also complete two timed practical exercises: one at AS level and one at A2. We set and moderate each exam and practical exercise.

The table below offers more information on the exams and practical exercise:


Module Nature of Assessment Time % Assessment Weighting Exam Session
AS 1: Forces, Energy and Electricity
  • Written exam
  • Several compulsory short-answer questions, some of which afford the opportunity for writing in continuous prose
  • Externally assessed
1½ hours 37% of AS 18.5% of AL January & Summer
AS 2: Waves, Photons and Medical Physics
  • Written exam
  • Several compulsory short-answer questions, some of which afford the opportunity for writing in continuous prose
  • Externally assessed
1½ hours 37% of AS 18.5% of AL January & Summer
AS 3: Practical Techniques
  • Practical test
  • Four short experimental tests
  • One question requiring the analysis of experimental results
  • Internally assessed & externally moderated
1½ hours 26% of AS 13% of AL Summer Only
A2 1: Momentum, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic and Nuclear Physics
  • Written exam
  • Several compulsory short-answer questions, some of which afford the opportunity for writing in continuous prose
  • Involves synoptic assessment
  • Externally assessed
1½ hours 37% of A2 18.5% of AL January & Summer
A2 2: Fields and their Applications
  • Written exam
  • Several compulsory short-answer questions, some of which afford the opportunity for writing in continuous prose
  • Involves synoptic assessment
  • Externally assessed
1½ hours 37% of A2 18.5% of AL Summer Only
A2 3: Practical Techniques
  • Practical test
  • Two experimental tests
  • One question on planning and design
  • The planning and design question will involve synoptic assessment
  • Internally assessed & externally moderated
1½ hours 26% of A2 13% of AL Summer Only