specification overview
OCR A-Level Physics A (H556) is a two-year linear qualification structured around six modules, from foundations of physics through to particle and medical physics. Students sit three written papers at the end of year 13, plus a separate Practical Endorsement (Pass/Fail) covering 12 practical activity groups (PAGs).
subject content
1. Development of practical skills in physics
All papers- Practical skills assessed in written examinations
- Practical skills assessed in the Practical Endorsement
2. Foundations of physics
Components 01, 02- Physical quantities and units
- Making measurements and analysing data
- Nature of quantities (scalars, vectors)
3. Forces and motion
Component 01- Motion, forces in action
- Work, energy and power; materials
- Newton's laws of motion and momentum
4. Electrons, waves and photons
Component 02- Charge and current, circuits
- Waves, quantum physics
5. Newtonian world and astrophysics
Component 01- Thermal physics; circular motion; oscillations
- Gravitational fields; astrophysics and cosmology
6. Particles and medical physics
Component 02- Capacitors; electric fields; magnetic fields
- Nuclear and particle physics; medical imaging
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component 01 (Modelling physics) | Modules 1, 2, 3 and 5 | 2h 15m | 100 | 37% | Section A: 15 multiple-choice questions (15 marks). Section B: 85 marks of structured and extended-response questions |
| Component 02 (Exploring physics) | Modules 1, 2, 4 and 6 | 2h 15m | 100 | 37% | Section A: 15 multiple-choice questions (15 marks). Section B: 85 marks of structured and extended-response questions |
| Component 03 (Unified physics) | All six modules | 1h 30m | 70 | 26% | Synoptic questions drawing content from across the whole specification |
All three components include synoptic assessment. Component 04 is the Practical Endorsement, a non-exam assessment reported separately (Pass/Fail) alongside the A-Level grade.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures. | 31-34% |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures in theoretical and practical contexts, including handling qualitative and quantitative data. | 40-43% |
| AO3 | Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence to make judgements, reach conclusions and refine practical design and procedures. | 25-28% |
required practicals
| Practical | What it involves |
|---|---|
| PAG1 Investigating motion | First-year techniques for measuring distance, angles, mass and time (e.g. acceleration of free fall). |
| PAG2 Investigating properties of materials | First-year measurement of length and small distances using calipers/micrometers (e.g. Young modulus of a metal). |
| PAG3 Investigating electrical properties | First-year use of digital instruments to measure current, voltage and resistance (e.g. resistivity of a metal). |
| PAG4 Investigating electrical circuits | First-year DC circuit construction and testing (e.g. potential divider circuits). |
| PAG5 Investigating waves | First-year work with signal generators, oscilloscopes, ripple tanks and laser sources (e.g. wavelength via double-slit and diffraction grating). |
| PAG6 Investigating quantum effects | First-year circuits with LEDs/lasers to probe quantum behaviour (e.g. determining the Planck constant using LEDs). |
| PAG7 Investigating ionising radiation | Second-year safe use of detectors with ionising sources (e.g. absorption of alpha, beta or gamma radiation). |
| PAG8 Investigating gases | Second-year measurement of pressure, volume and temperature (e.g. estimating absolute zero from gas laws). |
| PAG9 Investigating capacitors | Second-year DC circuits with capacitors (e.g. time constant from gradient of ln V or ln I vs time). |
| PAG10 Investigating simple harmonic motion | Second-year timing and analysis of oscillations (e.g. factors affecting the period of an SHM oscillator). |
| PAG11 Investigation | Extended investigative practical work applying methods to an open problem (e.g. specific heat capacity of a material). |
| PAG12 Research skills | Online and offline research with correct citation of sources (opportunities throughout the specification). |
key tips for success
Learn the module → component mapping
Component 01 covers Modules 1, 2, 3 and 5. Component 02 covers Modules 1, 2, 4 and 6. Component 03 covers everything synoptically.
Take Component 03 seriously
The Unified Physics paper is 26% and synoptic across all six modules. Practise linking modules rather than treating them as separate revision blocks.
Master the 12 PAGs
Practical Activity Groups feed both written-paper questions (all three papers) and the Practical Endorsement. Learn method, apparatus, expected results for each.
Build maths fluency
AO2 is 40-43%. Physics leans heavily on algebra, logarithms, exponentials, differential equations, vectors, trigonometry. Practise until automatic.
Master field equations
Gravitational, electric and magnetic fields have analogous equations. Learn the parallels early.
Track your Practical Endorsement
Assessed continuously through year. Some university science courses require a Pass, so check in with your teacher regularly.
Where to next
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