OCR A-Level Physics B (Advancing Physics) exam papers and weighting (H557)
Guide overview All 21 topics Sample questions Papers and weighting Look inside Questions and answers
What each OCR A-Level Physics B (Advancing Physics) paper assesses
OCR A-Level Physics B, Advancing Physics (specification H557), teaches physics through the contexts it is used in — imaging and signalling, sensing circuits, the mechanical properties of materials — and treats quantum behaviour with phasors rather than as a wave/particle argument. It is three written papers plus a reported practical endorsement: Fundamentals of Physics at 41%, Scientific Literacy in Physics at 37% and Practical Skills in Physics at 22%. All three draw on any of the six teaching modules. **This specification is being withdrawn: the final first teach was September 2026 and the final assessment is summer 2028, with no resit opportunity.**
| Paper | Covers | Length | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Component 01 Fundamentals of physics |
Planning Implementing Analysis Evaluation Practical Skills Use of Apparatus and Techniques Fundamental Data Analysis Imaging and Signalling Sensing Mechanical Properties of Materials Waves and Quantum Behaviour Space, Time and Motion Creating Models Out Into Space Our Place in the Universe Matter: Very Simple Matter: Hot or Cold Electromagnetism Charge and Field Probing Deep Into Matter Ionising Radiation and Risk |
2 hours 15 minutes | 110 marks | 41% |
|
Component 02 Scientific literacy in physics |
Planning Implementing Analysis Evaluation Practical Skills Use of Apparatus and Techniques Fundamental Data Analysis Imaging and Signalling Sensing Mechanical Properties of Materials Waves and Quantum Behaviour Space, Time and Motion Creating Models Out Into Space Our Place in the Universe Matter: Very Simple Matter: Hot or Cold Electromagnetism Charge and Field Probing Deep Into Matter Ionising Radiation and Risk |
2 hours 15 minutes | 100 marks | 37% |
|
Component 03 Practical skills in physics |
Planning Implementing Analysis Evaluation Practical Skills Use of Apparatus and Techniques Fundamental Data Analysis Imaging and Signalling Sensing Mechanical Properties of Materials Waves and Quantum Behaviour Space, Time and Motion Creating Models Out Into Space Our Place in the Universe Matter: Very Simple Matter: Hot or Cold Electromagnetism Charge and Field Probing Deep Into Matter Ionising Radiation and Risk |
1 hour 30 minutes | 60 marks | 22% |
Every topic, and where it is examined
| Topic | Examined on | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Planning | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 45 |
| Implementing | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 46 |
| Analysis | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 51 |
| Evaluation | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 45 |
| Practical Skills | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 75 |
| Use of Apparatus and Techniques | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 94 |
| Fundamental Data Analysis | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 89 |
| Imaging and Signalling | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 170 |
| Sensing | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 175 |
| Mechanical Properties of Materials | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 125 |
| Waves and Quantum Behaviour | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 179 |
| Space, Time and Motion | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 204 |
| Creating Models | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 245 |
| Out into Space | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 135 |
| Our Place in the Universe | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 76 |
| Matter: Very Simple | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 149 |
| Matter: Hot or Cold | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 61 |
| Electromagnetism | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 136 |
| Charge and Field | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 123 |
| Probing Deep into Matter | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 121 |
| Ionising Radiation and Risk | Component 01, Component 02, Component 03 | 111 |
Assessment details from the Cambridge OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Physics B (Advancing Physics) H557. Withdrawn: final assessment summer 2028, no resit. OCR specification.
OCR A-Level Physics B (Advancing Physics) Active Recall Guide
2,455 questions across every paper on the specification.