Physics

Assessment

The A-level will be assessed through three exams taken at the end of Year 13. Paper 1: 1-hour 45-minute examination worth 30% of the qualification, covering Mechanics, Electrical Circuits, Further Mechanics, Electric and Magnetic Fields, Nuclear and Particle Physics. Paper 2: 1-hour 45-minute examination worth 30% of the qualification, covering Materials, Waves and the Particle Nature of Light, Thermodynamics, Space, Nuclear Radiation, Gravitational Fields and Oscillations. Paper 3: 2-hour 30-minute synoptic examination worth 40% of the qualification; covering any of the above topics and also assessing the conceptual and theoretical understanding of experimental methods. There is no coursework component, but pupils are required to show their analytical skill through exam questions. A practical skills grade is awarded alongside the A-level grade, which is assessed throughout the two years by completing a minimum of 12 identified practical activities.