A-level Physics Exam Study Guide (2027)
Everything the A-level Physics Exam tests, topic by topic: what each section covers, the facts that come up most, and how to study it. Pair it with the free 15-question practice test.
The exam at a glance
| Questions | AQA: 3 written papers, 85 + 85 + 80 marks (250 marks in total). OCR A and Edexcel also use 3 papers with different lengths |
|---|---|
| Time | 6 hours in total (3 × 2 hours) |
| Grades and pass mark | Grade E is a pass and A* is the top grade. Boundaries are set after every exam series, so aim for 70% in practice |
| Format | Written exams, calculator allowed, with a data and formulae booklet. Not tiered. The practical endorsement is reported separately as pass or not classified |
| Exam boards | AQA, OCR and Pearson Edexcel |
| Test provider | At your school or college, or as a private candidate at an exam centre that accepts them |
Mind map: the whole exam on one screen
Read the complete A-level Physics study notes for “Measurements, Particles and Radiation”
Our first full set of comprehensive notes, about 16 minutes of reading: Units, prefixes and uncertainties · Inside the atom · Antiparticles, photons, annihilation and pair production · The four fundamental interactions · Classifying particles · Conservation laws · Quantum phenomena, a worked exam example, the traps examiners use and a one-minute recap. Create a free account to read it and see how premium notes work before you decide.
1. Measurements, Particles and Radiation
AQA sections 3.1 and 3.2: SI units, uncertainties, particle physics (constituents of the atom, antiparticles, the four interactions, hadrons and leptons, quarks, conservation laws) and quantum phenomena (photoelectric effect, energy levels, wave-particle duality). Paper 1.
Key facts
- The six SI base units you need: kg, m, s, A, K, mol. Derived units are built from them, for example the newton is kg m s⁻². Know the prefixes from femto (10⁻¹⁵) to tera (10¹²).
- Uncertainty: absolute, fractional and percentage. Adding or subtracting quantities adds absolute uncertainties; multiplying or dividing adds percentage uncertainties; raising to a power n multiplies the percentage uncertainty by n.
- Specific charge = charge ÷ mass (C kg⁻¹). Isotopes have the same proton number Z and different nucleon numbers A. The strong nuclear force is attractive to about 3 fm, repulsive below about 0.5 fm.
- Every particle has an antiparticle with the same mass and rest energy but opposite charge. Pair production: a photon of energy at least 2 × rest energy makes a particle-antiparticle pair. Annihilation turns a pair into two photons.
- Four interactions and exchange particles: electromagnetic (virtual photon), weak (W⁺ and W⁻), strong (gluon, and pions between nucleons), gravity. Hadrons feel the strong force; leptons do not.
- Baryons are three quarks (proton uud, neutron udd); mesons are a quark and an antiquark (pions, kaons). Charge, baryon number and lepton number (electron and muon separately) are always conserved; strangeness is conserved in strong interactions but can change by 1 in weak interactions.
- Photoelectric effect: hf = φ + Ek(max). Below the threshold frequency f₀ = φ ÷ h no electrons are emitted, however intense the light. This is evidence for photons.
- Electrons in atoms occupy discrete energy levels; transitions emit or absorb photons of energy hf = E₁ − E₂. The electronvolt: 1 eV = 1.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ J. Electron diffraction shows wave behaviour: de Broglie wavelength λ = h ÷ mv.
Flashcards
Exam tip: For any particle interaction, check charge, baryon number and lepton number in a quick table. If one doesn't balance, the reaction can't happen, and that table is exactly what the mark scheme looks for.
2. Waves
AQA section 3.3: progressive and stationary waves, polarisation, interference, diffraction, the diffraction grating, refraction and total internal reflection, and optical fibres. Paper 1.
Key facts
- v = fλ and f = 1 ÷ T. Phase difference is measured in radians or degrees; two points a whole wavelength apart are in phase.
- Only transverse waves can be polarised. Polaroid sunglasses reduce glare from reflected light, and TV aerials are aligned with the plane of polarisation of the signal.
- Stationary waves form when two waves of the same frequency travel in opposite directions. Nodes have zero amplitude; antinodes have maximum amplitude. First harmonic on a string: f = (1 ÷ 2L)√(T ÷ μ).
- Coherent sources have the same frequency and a constant phase difference. Young's double slit: fringe spacing w = λD ÷ s.
- Diffraction grating: d sin θ = nλ. The maximum order is the largest whole number below d ÷ λ.
- Refractive index n = c ÷ cₛ. Snell's law: n₁ sin θ₁ = n₂ sin θ₂. Critical angle: sin θc = n₂ ÷ n₁.
- Optical fibres use total internal reflection. Cladding with a lower refractive index protects the core and reduces modal dispersion; material dispersion is caused by different wavelengths travelling at different speeds.
Flashcards
Exam tip: In grating questions, convert lines per mm to d in metres first: d = 1 ÷ (lines per metre). Most wrong answers come from a slit spacing that is out by a factor of 1000.
3. Mechanics and Materials
AQA section 3.4: scalars and vectors, moments, SUVAT and projectiles, Newton's laws, momentum and impulse, work, energy and power, and materials (density, Hooke's law, stress, strain and the Young modulus). Paper 1.
Key facts
- Resolve vectors into perpendicular components: Fx = F cos θ and Fy = F sin θ. For equilibrium the resultant force and the resultant moment are both zero.
- Moment = force × perpendicular distance from the pivot. A couple is two equal and opposite parallel forces; its moment is one force × the perpendicular distance between them.
- SUVAT for uniform acceleration: v = u + at, s = ½(u + v)t, s = ut + ½at², v² = u² + 2as. In projectiles the horizontal and vertical motions are independent.
- F = ma, and more generally F = Δ(mv) ÷ Δt. Impulse = FΔt = change in momentum = area under a force-time graph. Momentum is conserved in all collisions; kinetic energy is conserved only in elastic collisions.
- Work W = Fs cos θ. Power P = Fv. Efficiency = useful output power ÷ input power.
- Hooke's law F = kΔL up to the limit of proportionality. Energy stored = ½FΔL = area under a force-extension graph.
- Stress = F ÷ A; strain = ΔL ÷ L; Young modulus E = stress ÷ strain = FL ÷ (AΔL). Know the terms elastic limit, yield point, ultimate tensile stress, brittle, ductile and plastic deformation.
Flashcards
Exam tip: In projectile questions, make two lists of SUVAT values, one horizontal and one vertical. Time is the only quantity they share, so find it first.
Test yourself on these topics
Take the free 15-question A-level Physics test, then save your results to unlock your Readiness Score and the mistakes bank.
4. Electricity
AQA section 3.5: current, p.d. and resistance, I-V characteristics, resistivity and superconductivity, series and parallel circuits, potential dividers, emf and internal resistance. Paper 1.
Key facts
- I = ΔQ ÷ Δt, V = W ÷ Q and R = V ÷ I. The volt is one joule per coulomb.
- An ohmic conductor has constant resistance at constant temperature. A filament lamp's resistance rises with temperature; a diode conducts in one direction above about 0.6 V; an NTC thermistor's resistance falls as temperature rises.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Potential divider questions usually ask what happens when it gets hotter or darker. Work it through in order: resistance changes, share of the p.d. changes, so the output changes.
5. Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics
AQA section 3.6: circular motion, simple harmonic motion, resonance and damping (Paper 1), and thermal physics, ideal gases and kinetic theory (Paper 2).
Key facts
- Angular speed ω = v ÷ r = 2πf. Centripetal acceleration a = v² ÷ r = ω²r. Centripetal force F = mv² ÷ r, always towards the centre.
- SHM: acceleration is proportional to displacement and directed towards the equilibrium position, a = −ω²x. x = A cos(ωt), and maximum speed = ωA.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Always convert to kelvin for gas laws. Any answer that used Celsius will be wildly wrong, and it is one of the most common lost marks on Paper 2.
6. Fields and Their Consequences
AQA section 3.7, the core of Paper 2: gravitational fields and orbits, electric fields, capacitors, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction and alternating currents and transformers.
Key facts
- Newton's law of gravitation F = Gm₁m₂ ÷ r². Field strength g = GM ÷ r². Gravitational potential V = −GM ÷ r, zero at infinity. Escape velocity v = √(2GM ÷ r).
- Orbits: GM ÷ r² = v² ÷ r gives T² ∝ r³ (Kepler's third law). A geostationary satellite has a period of 24 hours and orbits above the equator.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Gravitational and electric fields follow the same patterns, so learn them side by side in a two-column table. Then the main difference is that gravity only attracts.
7. Nuclear Physics
AQA section 3.8 (Paper 2): Rutherford scattering, alpha, beta and gamma radiation, the inverse-square law for gamma, radioactive decay and half-life, nuclear instability, nuclear radius, mass and energy, and fission reactors.
Key facts
- Rutherford scattering showed the atom is mostly empty space with a small, dense, positive nucleus. Electron diffraction gives a more accurate estimate of nuclear radius.
- Alpha: range a few cm in air, highly ionising. Beta⁻: range about 1 m in air, stopped by a few mm of aluminium. Gamma: unlimited range in air, follows the inverse-square law I = k ÷ x².
Flashcards
Exam tip: Exponential decay questions often need ln. Practise rearranging N = N₀e^(−λt) to t = ln(N₀ ÷ N) ÷ λ until it takes under a minute.
8. Practical Skills and the Option Topic
AQA Paper 3: Section A (45 marks) on the 12 required practicals and data analysis, and Section B (35 marks) on one option: Astrophysics, Medical physics, Engineering physics, Turning points in physics or Electronics.
Key facts
- Know each required practical: method, independent and dependent variables, control variables, equipment and its resolution, and how to reduce uncertainty.
- Linearise equations to y = mx + c. For T = 2π√(l ÷ g), plot T² against l and gradient = 4π² ÷ g. For exponential decay, plot ln N against t and gradient = −λ.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Paper 3 rewards graph skills more than recall. When you plot, label axes with quantity and unit, use more than half the grid, and draw one smooth best-fit line.
How to pass
- AQA Papers 1 and 2 open with 25 multiple-choice questions worth 1 mark each. Aim for about 1 minute each so you have time for the 60 marks of written questions.
- Show every step of a calculation with units, and give answers to the same number of significant figures as the data. Examiners award method marks even if the final answer is wrong.
- Learn the definitions word for word: the volt, the farad, specific charge, work function, gravitational potential and simple harmonic motion all appear as 2-mark recall questions.
- Paper 3 Section A tests the 12 required practicals. Know how to find gradients and intercepts, combine uncertainties and plot linearised graphs such as T² against l.
- Choose your option topic early and treat it as a full unit. Its 35 marks are 14% of the A-level.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I study for the A-level Physics exam?
Most students do best starting 10 to 12 weeks before the first paper, with 30 to 45 minutes a day per subject. You're ready once your Readiness Score has stayed at 80 or higher for about a week.
Can I take the A-level Physics exam online?
No. A-level Physics is a written exam sat in person at your school, college or an approved exam centre. Format: written exams, calculator allowed, with a data and formulae booklet. Not tiered. The practical endorsement is reported separately as pass or not classified. Check your exam board's timetable for dates.
What score do I need to pass the A-level Physics exam?
Grade E is a pass and A* is the top grade. Boundaries are set after every exam series, so aim for 70% in practice. The exam has aqa: 3 written papers, 85 + 85 + 80 marks (250 marks in total). ocr a and edexcel also use 3 papers with different lengths and a time limit of 6 hours in total (3 × 2 hours).
What are the most tested topics?
The outline covers measurements, particles and radiation, waves, mechanics and materials, electricity, further mechanics and thermal physics, fields and their consequences, nuclear physics, practical skills and the option topic. Use the free practice test to see which ones you need most.
The premium A-level Physics study path
Premium A-level Physics prep is studied one topic at a time. Each step starts with that topic's key notes and flashcard deck, then its own question sets of 25, so you master one topic before you move to the next. When every topic is strong, the 6 full mock exams show you're ready.
Your step-by-step study path
- 1Measurements, Particles and Radiation8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Notes free with an account
- 2Waves8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 3Mechanics and Materials8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 4Electricity8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 5Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 6Fields and Their Consequences7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 7Nuclear Physics7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 8Practical Skills and the Option Topic7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- Final step: 6 full mock exams50 questions each, timed like exam day. Hit your target on them before your first paper.Premium
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- Video lessons as they release
- Content updates during your access
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Summarised from the exam boards' published specifications and the rules cited, checked November 2026. Confirm current requirements with AQA, OCR and Pearson Edexcel.