Question 1

What does Cambridge International (CIE) A-Level Physics cover?

Accepted Answer

CIE A-Level Physics (9702) is a broad, rigorous course spanning 25 topics across the AS and A Level content. The AS half covers the core foundations: physical quantities and units, kinematics, dynamics, forces, energy, deformation of solids, waves, superposition, electricity, D.C. circuits, and particle physics. The A Level then builds further, adding circular motion, gravitational and electric fields, capacitance, thermodynamics, oscillations, magnetic fields, alternating currents, quantum physics, nuclear physics, medical physics, and astronomy and cosmology. Practical skills run throughout the course and are assessed separately, with paper 3 testing experimental work at AS level and paper 5 testing planning, analysis and evaluation at A Level. Our notes walk through each topic clearly, helping you build the conceptual understanding and mathematical problem-solving skills that this course rewards.

Question 2

How is practical work assessed in Cambridge International (CIE) A-Level Physics?

Accepted Answer

Practical work in CIE A-Level Physics (9702) is assessed through two dedicated papers.

**Paper 3 (Advanced Practical Skills)** is a timetabled, laboratory-based practical paper lasting 2 hours and worth 40 marks, where you carry out experiments covering manipulation, measurement, data presentation, and evaluation skills. **Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation)** is a written paper lasting 1 hour 15 minutes and worth 30 marks, with two compulsory questions testing your ability to plan investigations and analyse and evaluate experimental data. Together, these two papers reflect the fact that experimental skills (AO3) account for 20% of the A Level qualification.

There is no fixed named list of practicals in this specification; instead, practical skills are woven throughout the course content, and CIE recommends you spend at least 20% of your course time on practical work individually or in small groups. Our notes walk through the key experimental techniques and concepts you need for both papers, so we'd suggest using them alongside your lab work throughout the year.

Question 3

Where should I start with A-Level Physics revision?

Accepted Answer

The CIE A-Level Physics (9702) syllabus covers a broad range of content, so a clear starting point really helps. We'd suggest beginning with the AS Level topics (Topics 1–11, covering mechanics, waves, electricity, and particle physics), since these form the assumed knowledge base for the A Level papers.

Our notes walk through each topic in order, which makes it straightforward to build understanding systematically before tackling the A Level-only content in Topics 12–25. Alongside your theory revision, it's worth giving attention to practical skills early on, since paper 3 and paper 5 assess these separately, covering data collection, graph work, analysis, and evaluation. Using spaced retrieval as you work through our notes (returning to each topic after a gap rather than covering it once and moving on) helps the content stick across what is a substantial course.

Question 4

What's on Cambridge International (CIE) A-Level Physics?

Accepted Answer

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702) is a linear qualification assessed across five papers, covering everything from mechanics and waves through to quantum physics, nuclear physics, and astronomy.

| Paper | Topics covered | Length | Weighting (A Level) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Multiple Choice | AS Level content | 1 hr 15 min | 15.5% |
| Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions | AS Level content | 1 hr 15 min | 23% |
| Paper 3: Advanced Practical Skills | Practical skills (AS Level) | 2 hours | 11.5% |
| Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions | Full A Level content | 2 hours | 38.5% |
| Paper 5: Planning, Analysis and Evaluation | Practical skills (A Level) | 1 hr 15 min | 11.5% |

The AS Level content spans topics 1–11, covering physical quantities, kinematics, dynamics, forces, waves, superposition, electricity, D.C. circuits, and particle physics. The full A Level adds topics 12–25, which bring in motion in a circle, gravitational fields, thermodynamics, oscillations, electric and magnetic fields, quantum physics, nuclear physics, medical physics, and astronomy and cosmology.

Our notes walk through each topic in turn, so you can build your understanding steadily from the AS foundations all the way through the more demanding A Level material.

Question 5

Can I use these notes as my Cambridge International (CIE) A-Level Physics textbook?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our notes are written to cover the full CIE A-Level Physics (9702) syllabus, so you can absolutely use them as your main reference in place of a traditional textbook. They work through both the AS Level content and the complete A Level content, following the same topic structure as the 9702 syllabus itself, from physical quantities and mechanics right through to quantum physics, nuclear physics, medical physics and astronomy and cosmology. We'd suggest using our by-topic view to work through each area systematically, then pairing the notes with our flashcards to build in spaced retrieval as you progress. Our exam practice is also there whenever you want to test your understanding once you've covered the relevant sections.

Question 6

How do I get a grade A* in Cambridge International (CIE) A-Level Physics?

Accepted Answer

An A* in CIE A-Level Physics typically requires consistently strong performance across all five papers, though the exact grade boundary shifts each year and is set by Cambridge International after results are in.

The qualification weights knowledge and understanding (AO1) and handling and applying information (AO2) equally at 40% each, with experimental skills (AO3) making up the remaining 20%, so confidence across all three areas is essential. Papers 3 and 5 are the dedicated practical-skills papers and together account for 23% of the A Level, so your ability to plan experiments, collect data, and evaluate methods matters just as much as your theory knowledge.

Our notes cover the full AS and A2 content systematically, giving you the depth of understanding that CIE's structured questions are designed to reward. We'd suggest working through the notes using spaced retrieval, then testing yourself on past paper questions to build your ability to handle unfamiliar contexts, which is precisely what the higher-mark questions assess.