GCSE Physics (9-1) Exam: free practice test
GCSE Physics is the separate (triple) science physics qualification. With AQA (8463) you sit two 1 hour 45 minute papers of 100 marks each: Paper 1 covers energy, electricity, particles and atomic structure, and Paper 2 covers forces, waves, magnetism and space. Exams are taken in the May/June series at the end of the course.
Premium: 3,000 practice questions, 6 full mock exams, 800 flashcards and 60 comprehensive key notes, topic by topic. See the study path ·
About the GCSE Physics exam
GCSE Physics is the separate (triple) science physics qualification. With AQA (8463) you sit two 1 hour 45 minute papers of 100 marks each: Paper 1 covers energy, electricity, particles and atomic structure, and Paper 2 covers forces, waves, magnetism and space. Exams are taken in the May/June series at the end of the course.
What's on the exam
Each branch is a topic in the official outline. Members see every key fact on the full mind map. Read the free study guide →
How to pass the GCSE Physics exam
- 100 marks in 105 minutes is about 1 minute per mark. A 6-mark extended answer deserves about 6 minutes, so plan two or three linked points before you write.
- For every calculation write the equation, substitute with units, then give the answer with a unit. Method marks are given even if the final number is wrong.
- Convert to SI units first: kJ to J, g to kg, cm to m, minutes to seconds and mA to A. Unit slips are the most common lost mark on calculation questions.
- The equations sheet saves you memorising, but you still need to choose the right equation fast. Practise rearranging each one until it takes seconds.
- Questions on the 10 required practicals carry a big share of marks. Know the method, the variables, the risks and how to improve accuracy for each one.
Save your results and get your Readiness Score
Create a free account after the test: your score by topic, a mistakes bank, the complete study notes for the first topic, flashcards and the GCSE Maths Formula Sheet.
What's in the premium GCSE Physics prep
Premium GCSE 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
- 1Energy8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Notes free with an account
- 2Electricity8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 3Particle Model of Matter8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 4Atomic Structure and Radioactivity8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 5Forces and Motion7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 6Waves7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 7Magnetism and Electromagnetism7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25Premium
- 8Space Physics7 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
Read the complete GCSE Physics study notes for “Energy”
Our first full set of comprehensive notes, about 14 minutes of reading: Energy stores and how energy is transferred · Calculating the energy in a store · Specific heat capacity · Work done and power · Conservation of energy, dissipation and efficiency · Reducing unwanted energy transfers · National and global energy resources, 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.
Study tools included
3,000 practice questions
3,000 exam-style questions per exam, organised topic by topic in sets of 25. Every answer explained, with the rule it comes from.
6 full mock exams
6 full-length timed mock exams per exam, with real question counts and time limits, so test day feels like practice day.
Exam Readiness Score
One 0 to 100 number that tells you when you're ready for exam day. Reach 80 and you're covered by our Pass Guarantee.
800 flashcards + spaced repetition
800 flashcards per exam, in a deck for each topic, that come back right before you'd forget them. Five minutes a day keeps every number fresh.
60 comprehensive key notes
60 key notes per exam, split across its topics and each explained in full: the concepts, worked exam examples, the traps examiners use and a quick recap. Your first set is free with an account.
Mind maps
See the whole exam on one screen: every topic and the facts under it.
Sample questions with answers
These are the questions in the free test above, with answers. Try the test first. You'll learn more by getting some wrong.
1. A 2 kg trolley moves at 3 m/s. What is its kinetic energy?
2. A motor is supplied with 400 J of energy. 100 J is wasted as heat and sound. What is its efficiency?
3. A 12 V supply drives a current of 0.5 A through a resistor. What is the resistance?
4. A 4 Ω resistor and a 12 Ω resistor are connected in parallel. Which statement about the total resistance is correct?
5. A 2.3 kW kettle runs on the 230 V mains supply. What current does it draw?
6. A metal block has a mass of 540 g and a volume of 200 cm³. What is its density?
7. How much energy is needed to raise the temperature of 2 kg of water by 5 °C? (Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J/kg °C)
8. A radioactive sample has an activity of 800 Bq. Its half-life is 2 hours. What is its activity after 6 hours?
9. Which description of alpha radiation is correct?
10. A 1200 kg car accelerates uniformly from rest to 20 m/s in 8 s. What is the resultant force on the car?
11. Which of these increases a driver's thinking distance but does not change the braking distance?
12. A 0.16 kg cricket ball travelling at 25 m/s is caught and brought to rest in 0.1 s. What is the average force on the ball? (Higher tier)
13. A sound wave has a frequency of 850 Hz and travels at 340 m/s. What is its wavelength?
14. A wire 0.05 m long carries a current of 3 A at right angles to a magnetic field of flux density 0.2 T. What force acts on the wire? (Higher tier)
15. Light from distant galaxies is red-shifted, and the further away a galaxy is, the greater its red-shift. What does this suggest?
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- One subject of your choice: any GCSE, A-level or Functional Skills exam
- 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
- 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
- Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
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- One subject of your choice: any GCSE, A-level or Functional Skills exam
- 3,000 practice questions + 6 full mock exams per exam
- 800 flashcards + 60 key notes per exam, by topic, plus mind maps
- Spaced repetition + mistakes bank
- Readiness Score & detailed reports
- Video lessons as they release
- Content updates during your access
- 5 bonuses: GCSE Maths formula sheet, command words cheat sheet, 12-week revision planner and more
- Pass Guarantee: complete the prep, pass or 100% back
Renews once a year until you cancel. We email you before each renewal. Cancel any time from your account; you keep access until the end of the year you've paid for.
Exam guide
GCSE Physics exam guide (2027): GCSE Physics (the separate science, sometimes called triple physics) is assessed entirely by written exams at the end of Year 11. This guide uses AQA 8463, the most widely taken specification, and notes where Pearson Edexcel (1PH0) and OCR Gateway (J249) differ. It covers the papers, the tiers, the equations sheet for 2027, how grading works and a revision plan you can start now.
GCSE Physics exam FAQ
How many questions are on the GCSE Physics exam?
AQA: 2 written papers, 100 marks each (200 marks in total). Edexcel uses the same structure; OCR Gateway uses 2 papers of 90 marks, with a time limit of 3 hours 30 minutes in total (2 × 1 hour 45 minutes). Format: written exams, calculator allowed. foundation tier (grades 1 to 5) or higher tier (grades 4 to 9), both papers at the same tier. a physics equations sheet is provided in the 2026 and 2027 exams.
What is the passing score for GCSE Physics?
Grade 4 is a standard pass and grade 5 a strong pass. Boundaries are set after every exam series, so aim for 70% in practice.
How much does the GCSE Physics exam cost?
No fee for school and college students (the school pays). Private candidates pay the exam centre; fees vary by centre. School and college students don't pay exam fees themselves. Private candidates pay the exam centre, and fees vary by centre and board.
Which languages is the GCSE Physics exam offered in?
English.
Where do I take the GCSE Physics exam?
At your school or college, or as a private candidate at an exam centre that accepts them.
Is this GCSE Physics practice test free?
Yes. The 15-question practice test on this page is free, with an explanation for every answer and no signup. A free account also unlocks the complete study notes for the first topic. The full GCSE Physics prep is Premium at £29 a month for this exam.
What's in the premium GCSE Physics prep?
3,000 practice questions organised topic by topic (Energy: 375; Electricity: 375; Particle Model of Matter: 375; Atomic Structure and Radioactivity: 375; Forces and Motion: 375; Waves: 375; Magnetism and Electromagnetism: 375; Space Physics: 375), 6 full-length timed mock exams of 50 questions, 800 flashcards and 60 comprehensive key notes split across all 8 topics, plus a mistakes bank and the Readiness Score.
Compare GCSE Physics with the related qualifications
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Exam details are summarised from the exam boards' published specifications available in November 2026. the exam boards changes formats and fees, so confirm with AQA, Pearson Edexcel and OCR before you book. Kennington College is not affiliated with any exam board or with Ofqual.