OCR A-Level Physics A exam papers and weighting (H556)
Guide overview All 25 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each OCR A-Level Physics A paper assesses
OCR A-Level Physics A (specification H556) is taught as six modules and examined on three papers, with no optional content. Modules 1 and 2 are the practical skills and the handling of physical quantities that everything else assumes. Modules 3 and 4 supply the mechanics and the electricity and waves; modules 5 and 6 add the Newtonian world, astrophysics, fields and nuclear physics. Every one of the twenty-five topics here is compulsory.
| Paper | Covers | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Paper 1 Modelling Physics |
Draws on modules 1, 2, 3 and 5 — the practical skills, foundations, forces and motion, and the Newtonian world and astrophysics Multiple choice section followed by structured and extended-response questions Section A is 15 marks of multiple choice; section B is 85 marks of structured, calculation, practical and extended-response questions |
2 hours 15 minutes | 100 marks | 37% |
|
Paper 2 Exploring Physics |
Draws on modules 1, 2, 4 and 6 — electrons, waves and photons, and particles and medical physics Multiple choice section followed by structured and extended-response questions Section A is 15 marks of multiple choice; section B is 85 marks of structured, calculation, practical and extended-response questions |
2 hours 15 minutes | 100 marks | 37% |
|
Paper 3 Unified Physics |
Draws on all six modules and connects them Structured questions and extended response, including synoptic questions spanning several topics Assesses the ability to bring together content that was taught separately |
1 hour 30 minutes | 70 marks | 26% |
|
H556/04 Practical Endorsement |
Assessed by the centre across the required practical activities Reported separately as a pass and does not contribute to the A-level grade |
Completed during the course | Reported separately | — |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Module | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Skills in the Written Papers | Module 1: Development of practical skills in physics | Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 | 86 |
| The Practical Endorsement | Module 1: Development of practical skills in physics | Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 | 82 |
| Physical Quantities and Units | Module 2: Foundations of physics | Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 | 38 |
| Making Measurements and Analysing Data | Module 2: Foundations of physics | Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 | 26 |
| Nature of Quantities | Module 2: Foundations of physics | Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 | 25 |
| Motion | Module 3: Forces and motion | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 54 |
| Forces in Action | Module 3: Forces and motion | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 64 |
| Work, Energy and Power | Module 3: Forces and motion | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 42 |
| Materials | Module 3: Forces and motion | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 57 |
| Newton’s Laws of Motion and Momentum | Module 3: Forces and motion | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 43 |
| Charge and Current | Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 32 |
| Energy, Power and Resistance | Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 115 |
| Electrical Circuits | Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 43 |
| Waves | Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 174 |
| Quantum Physics | Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 60 |
| Thermal Physics | Module 5: Newtonian world and astrophysics | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 132 |
| Circular Motion | Module 5: Newtonian world and astrophysics | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 28 |
| Oscillations | Module 5: Newtonian world and astrophysics | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 71 |
| Gravitational Fields | Module 5: Newtonian world and astrophysics | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 84 |
| Astrophysics and Cosmology | Module 5: Newtonian world and astrophysics | Paper 1, Paper 3 | 129 |
| Capacitors | Module 6: Particles and medical physics | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 93 |
| Electric Fields | Module 6: Particles and medical physics | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 56 |
| Electromagnetism | Module 6: Particles and medical physics | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 67 |
| Nuclear and Particle Physics | Module 6: Particles and medical physics | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 179 |
| Medical Imaging | Module 6: Particles and medical physics | Paper 2, Paper 3 | 82 |
Assessment details from the OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Physics A, specification H556. OCR specification.
Every paper is covered, because the guide runs the whole specification.Get the guide, £8
OCR A-Level Physics A Active Recall Guide
1,862 questions across every paper on the specification.