About the exam
A-level Physics Exam structure
An independent A-level Physics study guide built from the DfE common content and scientific-skills requirements, cross-checked against current AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR Physics A and B, and Eduqas specifications.
Issuer and path
A-level Physics Study Guide is administered through England A-level awarding bodies. Check official resources before booking, retesting, or relying on a stale requirement.
England A-level Physics Common Core
0 scored + 0 pretest
The DfE knowledge, practical and mathematical requirements common to regulated AS and A-level Physics specifications in England, with board-selected extensions kept in one integrated study topic.
Use your own board's current specification
Check the exact entry code, paper coverage, data or formula booklet, practical activities, school-selected extension and cohort updates. Do not substitute an International A Level or another Physics route.
Official Outline Coverage Map
Coverage is mapped to official outline item counts so content depth can be checked without hard-coding a single exam.
| Topic | Official outline items | Your questions | Your flashcards | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Quantities, SI Units and Vectors | 0 | 24 | 5 | Strong |
| Measurement, Uncertainty and Graphs | 0 | 24 | 5 | Priority |
| Experimental Design and Practical Techniques | 0 | 24 | 5 | Priority |
| Mathematical Modelling and Data Evaluation | 0 | 24 | 5 | Priority |
| Kinematics and Motion Graphs | 0 | 28 | 5 | Strong |
| Forces, Newton's Laws, Equilibrium and Momentum | 0 | 28 | 5 | Strong |
| Work, Energy, Power and Efficiency | 0 | 27 | 5 | Strong |
| Materials, Density, Pressure and Deformation | 0 | 27 | 5 | Good |
| Charge, Current, Potential Difference and Resistance | 0 | 26 | 5 | Strong |
| DC Circuits, Kirchhoff's Laws and Power | 0 | 26 | 5 | Priority |
| EMF, Internal Resistance and Potential Dividers | 0 | 26 | 5 | Good |
| Wave Properties and Superposition | 0 | 25 | 5 | Strong |
| Stationary Waves and Resonance | 0 | 25 | 5 | Good |
| Refraction, Diffraction and Interference | 0 | 25 | 5 | Priority |
| Photons, the Photoelectric Effect and Wave-particle Duality | 0 | 25 | 5 | Priority |
| Circular Motion and Simple Harmonic Motion | 0 | 24 | 5 | Priority |
| Thermal Properties and Energy Transfer | 0 | 24 | 5 | Good |
| Ideal Gases and Kinetic Theory | 0 | 24 | 5 | Strong |
| Gravitational and Electric Fields and Potentials | 0 | 24 | 5 | Priority |
| Capacitors, Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetic Induction | 0 | 24 | 5 | Priority |
| Fundamental Particles and Interactions | 0 | 24 | 5 | Good |
| Nuclear Structure, Radiation and Decay | 0 | 24 | 5 | Priority |
| Mass-energy, Binding Energy and Nuclear Processes | 0 | 24 | 5 | Good |
| Integrated Board-specific and Optional Extensions | 0 | 25 | 5 | Needs review |
How to use this guide
How to study A-level Physics
Define the system, represent the physics, select a justified model, calculate transparently, then test the result against units, limits and evidence.
1. Define the system
Identify the object, interaction, boundary, reference level, direction and measured quantities.
2. Represent the physics
Draw the force, circuit, ray, wave, field, energy-level or apparatus diagram that makes the relationships visible.
3. Apply a justified model
State the law and assumptions, convert units, substitute transparently and keep signs and significant figures under control.
4. Test the conclusion
Check dimensions, magnitude, limiting behaviour, uncertainty and consistency with the observations before concluding.
Physical Quantities, SI Units and Vectors
Using SI base and derived units, prefixes, dimensions, estimates, orders of magnitude and vector resolution to express physical relationships precisely.
Key rules
Rule 1
A physical quantity is reported as a numerical value with a unit; equations must be dimensionally homogeneous.
Exam cue: Convert every value to a consistent unit system before substitution.
Rule 2
Scalars have magnitude, while vectors also require direction and combine according to vector rules.
Exam cue: Draw and label a vector diagram before resolving components.
Rule 3
Estimation and order-of-magnitude checks expose unit errors and physically impossible answers.
Exam cue: Check dimensions, sign and order of magnitude after calculating.
Common traps
Treating a prefix as though it applies linearly when an area or volume is converted.
Prevention: Do not substitute a memorised formula until you have identified the system, variables, direction, assumptions and valid range of the model.
Adding vector magnitudes without considering direction.
Prevention: Do not substitute a memorised formula until you have identified the system, variables, direction, assumptions and valid range of the model.
Writing a number without its required unit or appropriate significant figures.
Prevention: Do not substitute a memorised formula until you have identified the system, variables, direction, assumptions and valid range of the model.
Memory anchors
Scalar
A scalar has magnitude only.
Vector
A vector has magnitude and direction.
Homogeneous Equation
Every term in a valid physical equation has the same dimensions.
Prefix Check
Apply the prefix conversion to every power of the unit.
Estimate First
An order-of-magnitude estimate gives a scale against which to test the final result.
Next best moves
Quick check-up
Use a short quiz to confirm the rule pattern is actually sticking.
Check-up Questions
Which expression gives the newton in SI base units?
A plate has area 2.5 cm². What is its area in m²?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Open another topic next
Official resources
Verify the details with the official sources
Use these links for eligibility, scheduling, handbook rules, and issuer updates. Our guide helps you study; official sources tell you what the testing partner currently requires.
DfE GCE AS and A-level science subject content
The common Physics knowledge, scientific practice, apparatus and mathematical requirements for England.
Ofqual GCE science conditions and requirements
The regulated assessment objectives and practical-science requirements.
AQA A-level Physics 7408
Current AQA core, one-of-five option structure, three-paper assessment and practical requirements.
Pearson Edexcel A-level Physics 9PH0
Current Pearson qualification page, Issue 3 specification, three papers and Science Practical Endorsement.
OCR Physics A H556
Current content-led OCR route with six modules, three written components and Practical Endorsement.
OCR Physics B (Advancing Physics) H557
The context-led OCR route and its published final-teaching and final-assessment dates.
Eduqas A-level Physics A420QS
Current Eduqas qualification page, three components, one-of-four option section and practical requirements.
AQA 7408 data and formulae booklet
The current AQA A-level Physics data and formulae booklet, Version 1.5.
Pearson 9PH0 data, formulae and relationships
Pearson Edexcel's A-level list of data, formulae and relationships, Issue 3.
OCR Physics A assessment materials
OCR's assessment page containing the current H156/H556 data, formulae and relationships booklet.
OCR Physics B assessment materials
OCR's assessment page containing the current H157/H557 data, formulae and relationships booklet.
FAQ
Common A-level Physics questions
Is this an official exam-board study guide?
No. It is an independent resource based on the DfE content and scientific-skills requirements common to regulated England specifications, then checked against current awarding-body materials.
Why is there no single universal paper structure?
AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and Eduqas divide content, practical material and synoptic assessment differently. This guide organises transferable knowledge for learning; use your entered specification for exact papers, timing, mark totals and rubrics.
How do the current written-assessment weightings differ?
AQA 7408 uses 34%, 34% and 32%; Pearson 9PH0 uses 30%, 30% and 40%; OCR Physics A H556 uses 37%, 37% and 26%; OCR Physics B H557 uses 41%, 37% and 22%; and Eduqas A420QS uses 31.25%, 31.25% and 37.5%. The separately reported Practical Endorsement does not contribute marks to these written-exam percentages.
Why are the optional topics not split?
Their status and boundaries differ by route. AQA assesses one of five options and Eduqas one of four, while Pearson and OCR embed different extensions in compulsory content. They are therefore kept in one orientation topic rather than presented as universal modules.
Do all boards use the same required practical activities?
No. The national requirements prescribe practical skills, apparatus and a minimum of 12 activities, but each awarding organisation defines and records its own set. Follow the current handbook for your entry.
Is OCR Physics B still current?
OCR H557 remains available for existing and final cohorts, but OCR has announced withdrawal: final first teaching is September 2026 and the final A-level assessment is June 2028. Centres and learners should verify their cohort and transition arrangements with OCR.
Are the topic allocations official weights?
No. DfE specifies common content and Ofqual sets assessment objectives, but there is no shared official percentage for these study topics. The allocations provide balanced coverage across this 601-question practice bank.
Do all boards supply the same equations and data?
No. Each current specification has its own data, formulae or relationships material and rules about what is supplied. This guide tests equation selection and use, but your entered board's current booklet remains authoritative.