This website works best with JavaScript switched on. Please enable JavaScript
- Centre Services
- Associate Extranet
- All About Maths
GCSE Physics
- Specification
- Planning resources
- Teaching resources
- Assessment resources
- Introduction
Specification at a glance
This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course.
Subject content
- 2. Electricity
- 3. Particle model of matter
- 4. Atomic structure
- 7. Magnetism and electromagnetism
- 8. Space physics (physics only)
Assessments
For 2023, an equations sheet will be provided for exams. This will be added as an insert with every GCSE Physics question paper, or you can download the equations sheet now.
10% off orders above £70 and 20% off orders above £250. Use code: EPPDISCOUNT
- My Dashboard
- Mark Schemes
- Masterclasses
- 11+ School Search
Product Types
- Tuition for Parents
- Tuition for Tutors
For specialist resources for CAT, ISEB Pretest, CEM Select and UKiset exams, visit our other site: Pretest Plus
Visit Pretest Plus
GCSE Physics Topics: What You Need to Know for the Exam
Bookmark this page? Pop your email into the box below to receive a link to this article so you can easily refer back to it later.
Table of Contents
Introduction.
Having two years’ worth of coursework to get your head around before the GCSE physics exam is a tall order. To help make things easier for you, we’ve collated all the topics you’ll need to know for the tests.
There are eight main subject areas in the exam, spread out over two test papers:
- Electricity
- Particle model of matter
- Atomic structure
- Magnetism and electromagnetism
- Space physics
In the first paper, you’ll be asked questions on subjects 1-4, i.e. energy; electricity; particle model of matter and atomic structure.
The second paper covers subjects 4-8: forces; waves; magnetism and electromagnetism and space physics.
For more information on the GCSE physics test format, please visit the AQA website .
Within each of the eight subject areas, there are individual topics that delve deeper into the mechanics of GCSE physics. Here’s a breakdown of all the topics that you could be assessed in on exam day:
Energy Topics
- Changes in energy stores
- Energy and heating
- Energy demands
- Work, power and efficiency
Electricity Topics
- Electric circuits
- Mains electricity
- Static electricity
Particle Model of Matter Topics
- Density of materials
- Particles in gases
- Temperature changes and energy
Atomic Structure Topics
- Atoms, isotopes and ions
- Models of the atom
- Nuclear fission and fusion
- Radioactive decay
- Uses and dangers of radiation
Forces Topics
- Black body radiation
- Contact and non-contact forces
- Describing motion
- Forces, acceleration and Newton’s Laws
- Forces and elasticity
- Moments, levers and gears
- Properties of waves
- Pressure in fluids
- Reflection and refraction
- Scalar and vector quantities
- Sound and ultrasound
- Transverse and longitudinal waves
- Waves Topics
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
- Electromagnetic induction
- Electromagnets
- Magnetic fields
- Transformers
Space Physics
- The expanding Universe
- The life cycle of a star
- The Solar System
How to Organise GCSE Physics Topics for Revision
Now that you have an overview of the topics that could come up in the exam, the next step is to organise them into a revision schedule. All you really need to create one is a spreadsheet or a diary where you can record what you plan to study and when. However, our preferred format for a revision schedule is a wall planner.
With a wall planner, you have a visual representation of how many weeks you have left to your exam. You can clearly see what topics you’re due to study and on what days. It’s also really satisfying marking off each day on the calendar as you complete a revision session.
In addition to revising each topic, we suggest that you introduce GCSE physics practice tests into your schedule early. Not only do they provide you with an indication of your current attainment, but they’re a great way to chart your progress as you study.
GCSE Physics Practice Tests
If only revising for your physics exam was as simple as reading through your revision notes. The most effective way to put theory into practice is to use practice tests. At Exam Papers Plus, we publish GCSE physics revision packs that help students become familiar with the layout of the test papers. Our packs also provide an indication of the types of questions that you’ll be asked on the day.
When we created our GCSE practice tests, we thoroughly analysed reports from previous years to ensure that our sample questions cover all the essential areas of the exam. And to help you prepare for every eventuality, we included some of the most challenging questions that we know students tend to struggle with.
All of the GCSE practice papers that we publish are written and developed by former GCSE physics examiners and markers. When taken under timed, exam conditions, our tests can help you get used to answering questions quickly and under pressure, improving your time management skills.
Each pack focuses on the key skills that students need to develop to perform well in higher tier GCSE exams and includes detailed step-by-step answers and mark schemes for every question. Each question is labelled to identify the relevant exam boards.
We’d highly recommend the following resources in preparing for the GCSE physics tests:
GCSE Physics: Key Skills
All of our GCSE packs are available immediately after download.
Related posts:
How to Study for GCSE Physics
GCSE Physics Test Format
GCSE Physics Revision Tips
How to Revise and Practice for GCSE Physics
GCSE Physics Energy Questions and Answers
GCSE Physics: Key Skills Pack – Providing Essential Exam Practice and Preparation
GCSE Physics: Working Scientifically
GCSE Physics: Understanding Exam Command Words
By Exam Papers Plus
From the Blog
GCSE Biology Syllabus
Gcse maths syllabus, gcse physics syllabus, gcse chemistry syllabus.
CONTRIBUTE & SHARE
If there is a topic you would like to have covered, or if you have some information that you would like to share, please get in touch and we can make it happen!
Thank you for subscribing!
Thanks, we will get in touch if a place becomes available.
Get 10 Expert Tips for Entrance Exam Success!
Enter your email address below and get free & exclusive access to our 10 top tips for entrance exam success.
© 2023 All rights Reserved. | Privacy Terms Payments & Security
Exam Papers Plus, 168 THORNBURY ROAD, ISLEWORTH, TW7 4QE Company Number: 09089974
Contact us by phone 0333 456 9109 Contact us by email: [email protected]
K.U in LONDON, purchased 11+ Mathematics (Grammar Schools) Pack 4 Recently
AQA GCSE Physics Revision
- Revision Courses
- Past Papers
- Solution Banks
- University Admissions
- Numerical Reasoning
- Legal Notices
- KCSE Past Papers
- MOCK Revision Papers
- KCSE Topical Questions
- Schemes of Work
KNEC KCSE Physics Exam Topics Tested in Paper 1 and Paper 2
The beauty of KNEC KCSE physics exam papers is that the questions tested are normally organized according to topics. That is, topics are grouped in form of papers, paper 1 and paper 2.
There are 19 topics that are normally set in KNEC KCSE physics paper 1 and some 22 topics in paper 2.
These lists of topics will guide you as the student to know the areas that are usually set in each paper.
This will save you time so that during your study, you will only focus on specific areas set in paper 1 or paper 2 when studying for that paper.
Topics Set in the KNEC KCSE Physics Paper 1
KNEC KCSE Physics Paper 2 Topics
There you have it! I hope these KNEC KCSE physics exam topics will guide you to understand and know exactly the areas tested in each physics exam paper.
Areas that are mainly set in KCSE physics paper 3 include Mechanics, Optics and Electricity.
- Secondary KCSE Syllabus in PDF Format for all Subjects
- FREE KNEC PAST KCSE REVISION PAPERS
- Secondary School Notes
- Schemes of Work for Secondary Schools in Kenya
Discover a Better Way to Study for the May 23 IB Physics Exams - Free Revision Class! SIGN UP HERE!
IB Physics Exam Breakdown of Exam Content [UPDATED for 2023-24]
Ib physics exam breakdown (2023-24), stop inefficient revision now for your ib physics exams, shocking fact not all topics in ib physics are represented equally in the final exams and you must be strategic to maximise marks and minimise effort..
If your aim is to get good marks in your IB Physics exams then you need to study strategically. This means you should have a ‘plan of action’ for your exam revision. This plan should be based on evidence and calculated hunches. I'll walk you through a detailed plan below.
NOTE: In the video above (highly recommended...!) I mention the IB Physics: Starter Study Kit - you can download that here if you want free kit.
I get it. You don’t have the time or resources to build out a ‘plan of action’ based on evidence and calculated hunches. What does that even mean??
Good news. I’ve got time.
Great news! I’ve built out a ‘plan of action’ and revision strategy for you and it starts with prioritising the most heavily examined concepts (see below!). The 13 minute video above will help.
Prioritise These Topics (If You're Taking IB Exams in 2023-24)
Revert to “normal”.
The IB exams in 2023-24 will revert to the format pre-Covid. This means they will revert back to 'normal' exams with assessment of Paper 3 (Option Topic) and Group 4 project.
The first part of our ‘plan of action’ is to focus on longer term revision. Let’s focus on the weeks and months before the exams.
You should know that all topics are not examined equally in the exam - some are more heavily-weighted than others.
The graphs below show the average percentage that each topic in IB Physics makes up of your final IB mark.
STANDARD LEVEL
This means that if you are a Standard Level student and only ever studied Topic 2: Mechanics then you could achieve a whopping 14% in your final IB Physics exam! That’s without ever touching an internal assessment or option topic! Now.... you and I both know that you are not going to adopt that strategy. However, it’s certainly worth spending more time on Topic 2 than Topic 6.
The first part of your strategic ‘plan of action’ is to revise the Standard Level topics in the following order:
- Topic 2: Mechanics
- Topic 4: Waves
- Topic 1: Measurements and Uncertainties
- Topic 5: Electricity and Magnetism
- Topic 7: Nuclear and Particle Physics
- Topic 8: Energy Production
- Topic 3: Thermal Physics
- Topic 6: Circular Motion and Gravitation
HIGHER LEVEL
For a Higher Level student, it’s tempting to forget about Topic 6 altogether - isn’t it? You certainly don’t want to spend weeks revising Topic 6: Circular Motion and Gravitation for the sake of 1% in your final IB Physics mark...
The first part of your strategic ‘plan of action’ is to revise the Higher Level topics in the following order:
- Topic 12: Nuclear and Quantum Physics
- Topic 11: Electromagnetic Induction
- Topic 9: Wave Phenomena
- Topic 10: Fields
Recommendations
- You want to start by making sure you have thoroughly understood the most heavily examined concepts listed above, either during lessons or when working independently at home. Make revision notes on these. Click here if you need help on how to write effective revision notes
- The material in your option topic is worth 11.4% (SL) and 16.0% (HL) of your final IB Physics mark. Many teachers choose to leave the option topic until the end of the course. You can get ahead by studying your option topic in advance.
- If you are struggling with the most heavily examined topics, you can overcome these difficulties in a few hours with the right strategies.
Strategies for Paper 1
At the end of your two year course, you will sit three papers for IB Physics. Each paper has its own quirks and trends that we can use to revise strategically using our ‘plan of action’. This will allow you to maximise your marks and prevent you from wasting time on inefficient revision in your short term revision (i.e. days/weeks before exams).
FACTS about Paper 1:
- The Standard Level (SL) paper is 45 minutes long and has 30 multiple choice questions. It makes up 20% of your final IB Physics mark.
- The Higher Level (HL) paper is 1 hour long and has 40 multiple choice questions. It makes up 20% of your final IB Physics mark.
- No calculator is allowed but you can use the IB Physics data booklet
- Paper 1 is designed to be difficult and around 50% of questions required multiple steps.
- Grade boundaries are usually quite low for Paper 1 (Averaging around 72% for a 7 in HL and 63% for a 7 in SL)
Heavily Examined Topics in SL Paper 1 :
- Topic 2: Mechanics
- Topic 4: Waves
- Topic 5: Electricity and Magnetism
- Topic 7: Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Physics
Heavily Examined Topics in HL Paper 1 :
- Topics 4 & 9: Waves
- Topic 11: Electromagnetic Induction
- Topic 12: Quantum and Nuclear Physics
Top Tip! There is usually only ONE mark available to Topic 1 (Measurement and Uncertainties) in Paper 1. Don’t bother revising Topic 1 too much when preparing for Paper 1.
ADVICE for Paper 1
- Prioritise the most commonly examined topics above in your revision
- Use gradegorrilla.com to practice multiple choice questions for the most commonly examined topics.
- You only have between 1-1.5 minutes per question – skip if you really don’t know where to start.
- Don’t panic
Strategies for Paper 2
Many IB Physics students have had nightmares about Paper 2. Let’s break it down and see if we can be strategic about how to prepare for Paper 2 in the shorter term (i.e. the weeks and days before the exam)
FACTS about Paper 2:
- The Standard Level Paper takes 1.25 hours and is worth 50 marks. It makes up 40% of your final IB Physics mark.
- The Higher Level Papers takes 2.25 hours and is worth 95 marks. It makes up 36% of your final IB Physics mark.
- It consists of short-answer and extended response questions
- Calculators are allowed and the data booklet is necessary!
- It is designed to be difficult and you probably won’t finish it...
- Grade boundaries are usually very low for paper 2 (Averaging around 59% for a 7 in HL and around 63% for a 7 in SL)
Heavily Examined Topics in SL Paper 2 :
- Topic 3: Thermal Physics
Heavily Examined Topics in HL Paper 2 :
- Topics 5 & 11: Electromagnetism
Top Tip! It is likely that there will be no questions on Topic 1 (Measurements and Uncertainties) in Paper 2.
ADVICE for Paper 2
- Prioritise the most commonly examined topics from above in your revision
- Practice exam-style questions fully in the weeks before the exam. Here's how to use IB Physics past papers to improve your exam technique .
- Choose the question order carefully.
- Skip a question if you really don’t know where to start.
- Identify the topic of the question and open your data booklet to that topic.
- If you’re stuck on a graph – you’ll most likely have to calculate the gradient or area
- Be careful with units on graph axes (e.g. mA instead of A)
Strategies for Paper 3
Paper 3 is often examined the day after Paper 1 & 2. Students usually find it to be a welcome relief from the exertions of the previous day. I can help make it even easier for you...
FACTS about Paper 3:
- The Standard Level paper will be 1 hour long and is worth 35 marks. The whole paper makes up 20% of your final IB Physics mark.
- The Higher Level paper will be 1.25 hours long and is worth 45 marks. The whole paper makes up 20% of your final IB Physics mark.
- The paper is made up of short-answer and extended response questions
- You are allowed a calculator and data booklet
- Paper 3 is much easier than Papers 1 and 2
- It is split up into sections:
- One data-based question and several short-answer questions on experimental work.
- Short-answer and extended-response questions from one option.
Breakdown of SL Paper 3 : Section A - It is only 15 marks - Worth 9% of your final IB Physics mark - All about Topic 1 (Measurements and Uncertainties) and the list of required practicals given by the IB (see Strategy 3).
Section B - It is only 20 marks - Worth 11% of your final IB Physics mark - All about your chosen Option Topic
Breakdown of HL Paper 3 : Section A - It is only 15 marks - Worth 7% of your final IB Physics mark - All about Topic 1 (Measurements and Uncertainties) and the list of required practicals given by the IB.
Section B - It is only 30 marks - Worth 13% of your final IB Physics mark - All about your chosen Option Topic
ADVICE for Paper 3
- Learn ALL the definitions for Topic 1 AND Option topic
- Open your data booklet to the right page for your option topic
- Practice as many past papers for your option topic as you can – the examiners tend to ask the same questions over and over again
Use the night before the exam to: • Memorise definitions from Topic 1 and your option topic • Read through all the practicals you have done in class • Read through your revision notes for Topic 1 and your Option Topic. Click here if you’d like to learn how to write effective revision notes QUICKLY
Start being strategic in your revision and you’ll be more efficient and effective in your results. In the months and weeks before the exams, prioritise the most heavily examined topics. You’ll want to make effective revision notes on these topics and practice exam-style questions, split by topic.
In the weeks preceding the exams, your study strategy will alter slightly, depending on the intricacies of each paper. Past papers will become a focus of revision and the most heavily examined topics will change.
FREE eBook: The ULTIMATE IB Physics Internal Assessment Guide
Get your #1 Amazon Best Seller on GradePod for free here
FREE! IB PHYSICS STUDY PACK
No matter what stage you are at in IB Physics, this free IB Physics study starter pack will help you organise your class work, improve grades in class tests and excel in exam revision.
Sally Weatherly
Teacher | Author | Physics Geek
I started as a Physics Teacher back in 2004, but soon became obsessed with the possibilities of online learning. I teach everything I know.
Connect Here
Don't forget to download your FREE IB Physics Study Kit
WAIT! Get Your Free IB Physics Study Guide HERE
This guide has been downloaded 20,000+ times by other IB Physics students worldwide and gives instant advice on how to get that 7 in IB Physics
I’ll email the guide to you and will protect your email address with my life!
May 2022 students are entitled to a discount on the Ace Your IB Physics Exams course. Fill out your details to get more details.
Physics Past Papers & Revision Questions
Choose your level:
Physics A Level Resources
Aqa a level physics, cie a level physics, edexcel a level physics, ocr a level physics, physics as resources, aqa as physics, cie as physics, edexcel as physics, ocr as physics, physics ib resources, dp ib physics: hl, dp ib physics: sl, physics gcse resources, aqa gcse physics, aqa gcse physics: combined science, edexcel gcse physics, edexcel gcse physics: combined science, ocr gateway gcse physics, ocr gateway gcse physics: combined science, physics igcse resources, cie igcse physics, edexcel igcse physics, edexcel igcse physics: double science, physics international a level resources, edexcel international a level physics, physics international as resources, edexcel international as physics, physics o level resources, cie o level physics, physics pre u resources, cie pre u physics.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Topics 5-8: Forces; Waves; Magnetism and electromagnetism; and Space physics. Questions in paper 2 may draw on an understanding of energy
Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; Atomic structure; Forces; Waves; Magnetism and electromagnetism; Space physics. In the first paper, you
Paper 1 ; Topic 1: Energy ; Topic 2: Electricity ; Topic 3: Particle Model of Matter ; Topic 4: Atomic Structure
The following is a revision session for AQA GCSE Physics Paper 2. This is suitable for students completing the AQA GCSE Physics Separate
2022 AQA Combined Science Physics Paper 2 (FOUNDATION) Revision - 23rd June 2022 - GCSE Exam ... 14K views 8 months ago 2022 Full papers.
If you found this helpful and want to support the channel, you can "buy me a coffee" https://buymeacoffee.com/drdebruin This is my final
KNEC KCSE Physics Paper 2 Topics kcse physics paper 2 topics ; 1, Rectilinear Propagation of Light and Reflection at Plane Surfaces, F1 ; 2, Cells and Simple
Strategies for Paper 1 · Topic 2: Mechanics · Topic 4: Waves · Topic 5: Electricity and Magnetism · Topic 7: Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Physics.
Personalised Learning Checklists AQA Physics Paper 2. © Copyright The PiXL Club Ltd, 2017. 1. AQA Physics (8463) from 2016 Topics P4.5. Forces. Topic.
Exam paper questions organised by topic and difficulty. Our worksheets cover all topics from GCSE, IGCSE and A Level courses. Give them a try and see how