# A Level Physics (9702) tutoring online

> Our A Level Physics tutors teach Cambridge International 9702, Pearson Edexcel International A Level (units WPH11 to WPH16), AQA 7408, Pearson Edexcel 9PH0 and OCR Physics A H556. Live 1:1 or small-group online classes cover the full syllabus, with focused practice on calculations, practical-skills papers and data analysis.

Source: https://www.gradeupinternational.com/a-level/physics
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Publisher: GradeUp International (https://www.gradeupinternational.com/)

Taught by: [Salman Bin Zahid](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/tutors/salman-bin-zahid), [Muhammad Usman](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/tutors/muhammad-usman), [Shayan Ali](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/tutors/shayan-ali).

A Level Physics leads naturally to engineering, physics, astrophysics, architecture and many computing and finance degrees, and it is often taken by students who want to keep options open between science and mathematics. It builds directly on IGCSE, O Level or GCSE Physics, but asks for far more algebra: rearranging equations, handling units and working with logarithmic or exponential relationships become everyday skills. Students who also take A Level Maths generally find the quantitative side easier.

Cambridge 9702 is staged: AS Level comprises Paper 1 multiple choice, Paper 2 structured questions and the Paper 3 lab exam, and A Level adds Paper 4 on second-year theory and Paper 5 on planning and evaluation. Pearson's International A Level splits the course into six units, including two written practical units. AQA, Edexcel 9PH0 and OCR H556 are linear, with three papers at the end of the course and practical competence recorded through a separate endorsement.

Students most often struggle with fields, capacitance and quantum ideas, where the maths is abstract and diagrams are less intuitive. Practical papers catch out even strong candidates who have never estimated uncertainty or justified a straight-line graph. Explanations also cost marks when a student writes a vague sentence instead of naming the physics principle. Our tutors pair each topic with short calculation drills, then rehearse written explanations against real mark schemes so the language becomes precise.

## How is A Level Physics examined?

### Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702), Cambridge International Education

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1: Multiple Choice | 1 hour 15 minutes | 40 | 31% of AS Level / 15.5% of A Level |
| Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions | 1 hour 15 minutes | 60 | 46% of AS Level / 23% of A Level |
| Paper 3: Advanced Practical Skills | 2 hours | 40 | 23% of AS Level / 11.5% of A Level |
| Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions | 2 hours | 100 | 38.5% of A Level |
| Paper 5: Planning, Analysis and Evaluation | 1 hour 15 minutes | 30 | 11.5% of A Level |

2025–2027 syllabus. AS Level: Papers 1, 2 and 3. A Level: all five papers. Series: May/June and October/November.

Official syllabus: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-physics-9702/

### Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Physics (YPH11), Pearson Edexcel

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unit 1 (WPH11): Mechanics and Materials | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 40% of IAS / 20% of IAL |
| Unit 2 (WPH12): Waves and Electricity | 1 hour 30 minutes | 80 | 40% of IAS / 20% of IAL |
| Unit 3 (WPH13): Practical Skills in Physics I | 1 hour 20 minutes | 50 | 20% of IAS / 10% of IAL |
| Unit 4 (WPH14): Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 20% of IAL |
| Unit 5 (WPH15): Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 20% of IAL |
| Unit 6 (WPH16): Practical Skills in Physics II | 1 hour 20 minutes | 50 | 10% of IAL |

Units available in January, June and October. The IAS comprises Units 1–3.

Official syllabus: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-advanced-levels/physics-2018.html

### AQA A-level Physics (7408), AQA

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1 | 2 hours | 85 | 34% of A Level |
| Paper 2 | 2 hours | 85 | 34% of A Level |
| Paper 3 | 2 hours | 80 | 32% of A Level |

Linear: all exams in May/June of one year.

Official syllabus: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/physics/a-level/physics-7408/specification

### Pearson Edexcel A Level Physics (9PH0), Pearson Edexcel

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1: Advanced Physics I | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 30% of A Level |
| Paper 2: Advanced Physics II | 1 hour 45 minutes | 90 | 30% of A Level |
| Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Physics | 2 hours 30 minutes | 120 | 40% of A Level |

Official syllabus: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/physics-2015.html

### OCR A Level Physics A (H556), OCR

| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Paper 1: Modelling physics | 2 hours 15 minutes | 100 | 37% of A Level |
| Paper 2: Exploring physics | 2 hours 15 minutes | 100 | 37% of A Level |
| Paper 3: Unified physics | 1 hour 30 minutes | 70 | 26% of A Level |

Official syllabus: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-and-a-level/physics-a-h156-h556-from-2015/

## What topics are in A Level Physics?

- Physical quantities, units and uncertainties: Adding percentage uncertainties when the quantity is a difference, which needs absolute uncertainties.
- Kinematics and dynamics: Treating velocity as a scalar in momentum questions and losing the direction sign.
- Forces, density, pressure, work, energy and power: Taking moments about a pivot but forgetting the weight of the beam itself.
- Deformation of solids: Reading the elastic limit and the limit of proportionality as the same point on a graph.
- Waves and superposition: Confusing path difference with phase difference when explaining interference.
- Electricity and d.c. circuits: Ignoring internal resistance when a question mentions a cell with e.m.f.
- Particle physics: Not checking conservation of charge and baryon number before accepting a decay equation.
- Circular motion and gravitational fields: Using the radius of the planet instead of the orbital radius in g = GM/r².
- Temperature, ideal gases and thermodynamics: Leaving temperature in degrees Celsius in pV = nRT.
- Oscillations: Mixing up frequency and angular frequency in simple harmonic motion equations.
- Electric fields, capacitance and magnetic fields: Applying Fleming's left-hand rule to electron flow without reversing the current direction.
- Alternating currents, quantum and nuclear physics: Using the peak value instead of the r.m.s. value when calculating mean power.
- Medical physics, astronomy and cosmology: Describing redshift without linking it to recession velocity and the expanding universe.

## How do you get top marks?

- Write the equation, substitute with units, then give the answer to the same number of significant figures as the data.
- In Paper 3-style practicals, record raw readings to a consistent precision and repeat where the procedure allows.
- For planning questions, state the independent, dependent and controlled variables explicitly and describe how each is measured.
- When a question says 'explain', name the law or principle first, then apply it to the situation described.
- Draw large best-fit lines and use a large triangle for gradients; small triangles lose accuracy marks.
- Practise multiple-choice papers against the clock, because many items require a quick estimate rather than a full calculation.

## Fees

1:1: PKR 3,500 / AED 140 / GBP 28 per 60-minute class. Small group: PKR 12,500 per month. [All currencies](https://www.gradeupinternational.com/pricing).

## Frequently asked questions

### How can I get an A* in A Level Physics?

An A* in A Level Physics comes from mastering the calculations, writing precise explanations and practising the practical-skills papers as seriously as the theory papers. Work through topic questions until standard methods are automatic, then sit full timed papers. Study mark schemes to learn the exact phrases that score. In Cambridge 9702, Papers 3 and 5 reward specific techniques that improve quickly with deliberate practice.

### Is A Level Physics hard?

A Level Physics is widely seen as demanding because it combines abstract ideas with heavy mathematical problem-solving. The jump from IGCSE or GCSE is significant, especially in fields, quantum physics and data analysis. Students who keep up with Maths, practise questions weekly and ask about misunderstandings early tend to manage it well. Regular past-paper work makes unfamiliar question styles much less intimidating.

### What are Paper 3 and Paper 5 in A Level Physics?

In Cambridge 9702, Paper 3 is the two-hour Advanced Practical Skills exam taken in a laboratory, and Paper 5 is a written Planning, Analysis and Evaluation paper. Paper 3 tests taking measurements, recording data, plotting graphs and estimating uncertainty. Paper 5 asks you to design an experiment and analyse given data. Together they are worth 23% of the A Level.

### Which A Level subjects go well with Physics?

Mathematics is the most natural partner for A Level Physics, and Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Computer Science also combine well. Maths supports the calculations and is required for most physics and engineering degrees. Chemistry suits students considering materials science or medicine, while Computer Science fits careers in software and electronics. Check the entry requirements of your intended courses before deciding.

### Can I take A Level Physics without Maths?

You can take A Level Physics without A Level Maths, but you will need confident algebra, trigonometry and graph skills from IGCSE, O Level or GCSE. Physics uses logarithms, exponentials and rearranging equations throughout. Many physics and engineering degrees also require A Level Maths, so dropping it may limit your options. If you go ahead without Maths, budget extra time for mathematical practice.