Assessment
All candidates take three papers.
Candidates who have studied the Core subject content, or who are expected to achieve a grade D or below, should be entered for Paper 1, Paper 3 and either Paper 5 or Paper 6. These candidates will be eligible for grades C to G.Candidates who have studied the Extended subject content (Core and Supplement), and who are expected to achieve a grade C or above, should be entered for Paper 2, Paper 4 and either Paper 5 or Paper 6. These candidates will be eligible for grades A* to G.
Core candidates – Paper 1
- Time: 45 minutes (40 marks, 30%)
- 40 four-choice multiple-choice questions Questions will be based on the Core subject content
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- NO CALCULATOR ALLOWED
- Data booklet provided
Core candidates – Paper 3
- Time: 75 minutes (80 marks, 50%)
- Short-answer and structured questions Questions will be based on the Core subject content
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- NO CALCULATOR ALLOWED
- 50% weight
- Externally assessed
Unit 1. Motion, forces and energy
- 1.1 Physical quantities and measurement techniques–
- 1.2 Motion
- 1.3 Mass and weight
- 1.4 Density
- 1.5 Forces
- 1.6 Momentum – Only Supplement
- 1.7 Energy, work and power
- 1.8 Pressure
Unit 2. Thermal physics
- 2.1 Simple kinetic molecular model of matter
- 2.2 Thermal properties and temperature
- 2.3 Thermal processes
Unit 4. Electricity and magnetism
- 4.1 Simple phenomena of magnetism
- 4.2 Electrical quantities
- 4.3 Electric circuits
- 4.4 Electrical safety
- 4.5 Electromagnetic effects
Unit 5. Nuclear physics
- 5.1 The nuclear model of the atom
- 5.2 Radioactivity
Unit 6. Space physics
- 6.1 Earth and the Solar System
- 6.2 Stars and the Universe
Unit 1. Motion, forces and energy
Unit 2. Thermal physics
- 2.1 Kinetic particle model of matter
- 2.2 Thermal properties and temperature
- 2.3 Thermal processes
Unit 4. Electricity and magnetism
- 4.1 Simple phenomena of magnetism
- 4.2 Electrical quantities
- 4.3 Electric circuits
- 4.4 Electrical safety
- 4.5 Electromagnetic effects
Unit 5. Nuclear physics
- 5.1 The nuclear model of the atom
- 5.2 Radioactivity
Unit 6. Space physics
- 6.1 Earth and the Solar System
- 6.2 Stars and the Universe