AQA A-Level Physics exam papers and weighting (7408)
Guide overview All 13 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each AQA A-Level Physics paper assesses
AQA A-Level Physics (specification 7408) is assessed by three written papers taken at the end of the two-year course. Paper 1 covers the first five topics and periodic motion, and carries 85 marks over 2 hours. Paper 2 covers thermal physics, fields, and nuclear physics, and also carries 85 marks over 2 hours, with a section assuming knowledge of the earlier content. Paper 3 lasts 2 hours and has two sections: practical skills and data analysis, then one optional topic chosen from Astrophysics, Medical physics, Engineering physics, Turning points in physics and Electronics. Practical skills are assessed across all three papers and separately through the practical endorsement.
| Paper | Covers | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Paper 1 Sections 1 to 5 and periodic motion |
Measurements and their errors Particles and radiation Waves Mechanics and materials Electricity Periodic motion |
2 hours | 85 marks | 34% |
|
Paper 2 Sections 6.2, 7 and 8 |
Thermal physics Fields and their consequences Nuclear physics Assumed knowledge from sections 1 to 6.1 |
2 hours | 85 marks | 34% |
|
Paper 3 Practical skills and one optional topic |
Section A: practical skills and data analysis Section B: one option from Astrophysics, Medical physics, Engineering physics, Turning points in physics and Electronics |
2 hours | 80 marks | 32% |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Measurements and Their Errors | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 87 |
| Particles and Radiation | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 314 |
| Waves | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 191 |
| Mechanics and Materials | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 285 |
| Electricity | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 157 |
| Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics | Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 | 254 |
| Fields and Their Consequences | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 422 |
| Nuclear Physics | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 263 |
| Astrophysics | Paper 3 | 333 |
| Medical Physics | Paper 3 | 462 |
| Engineering Physics | Paper 3 | 290 |
| Turning Points in Physics | Paper 3 | 262 |
| Electronics | Paper 3 | 362 |
Assessment details from the AQA AS and A-level Physics, specification 7408. AQA specification at a glance.
AQA A-Level Physics Active Recall Guide
3,682 questions across every paper on the specification.