Mechanics

• Don’t round up calculated values in the middle of long calculations.  Whereas this has not been penalised in previous years it now will be.  Instead of rounding up numbers, carry forward calculator values.

• Some descriptive responses lacked structure and careful argument.  Think through your written answers before you start writing.

• Good answers were frequently spoilt by contradictory statements.  Don’t contradict yourself!

• If it helps, communicate your ideas in the form of bullet points.

 

Electrons, Waves and Photons

• There were some excellent papers but also many lacking basic GCSE knowledge.

• Candidates scored freely in questions where the exercise was mainly substituting into formulae but there were fewer opportunities to do this than in recent papers.

• The quality of the setting out of work especially of calculations was often very poor making it difficult for the examiner to follow.  Work through calculations carefully.  Clearly show the examiner which equation(s) you have used.  Then show the rearranging clearly.  And finally show a clear substitution of values into the rearranged equation(s).

• Much handwriting is still very difficult to decipher, most frequently in cases where it is very small, especially when writing powers of 10.  Remember that the examiner has to read their answers on a computer screen.  Write as neatly as you possible can.

• Many candidates failed to describe situations accurately by using incorrect terms, by using casual phrases or by omitting key words.
  Here are some specific examples:
  1. Waves bounce off the walls rather than waves are reflected at the walls.
  2. Voltage through rather than potential difference across.
  Use technical vocabulary as much as possible.

• Treat any section of a question as part of a whole, rather than approaching it as a separate question.  Make sure all the parts of your questions correctly relate to the other parts.

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Newtonian World

• Unfortunately there was not an improvement in answers involving extended writing.  Get practice with longer written answers: apply theory clearly and order your thoughts logically.

• Many candidates lost marks as a result of failing to notice that a reason was specifically requested in the wording of the question. Other answers lacked clarity and sufficient detail.  Read questions carefully, look out for command words: state, describe, explain.

• Many of the diagrams given were very poor quality freehand sketches.   Candidates should be aware that at A2 level, examiners do expect clear, simple 2d diagrams, drawn with a straight edge where appropriate.  Please turn up to your exams with all of the stationery that you need: a few black ink pens, pencil, rubber, sharpener, ruler, and protractor.
  Many candidates gave apparatus diagrams little larger than a postage stamp making it almost impossible to assess the arrangement.  Use the space available for diagrams to maximum effect, be confident in your drawing.

 

Fields, Particles and Frontiers of Physics

• Don’t round up calculated values in the middle of long calculations.  Whereas this has not been penalised in previous years it now will be.  Instead of rounding up numbers, carry forward calculator values.

• Many candidates had rote learnt technical terms such as mass defect and half life without having deeper understanding.  Consequently, some descriptive answers were convoluted and rife with misconceptions.  It is important that you understand terms, concepts and their appropriate contexts.  Don’t rely on the superficial understanding of just knowing some words.

• Some candidates would have benefited by writing their answers in the form of bullet points rather than in continuous prose.  Bullet points help you to logically sequence steps in your answers.