OCRA-Level88 resources
OCR A-Level Physics A Past Papers & Mark Schemes
Free OCR A-Level Physics A (H556) past papers, mark schemes & reports. Modelling Physics, Exploring Physics and Unified Physics papers with data booklet. 77 resources.
📅June 2017 – June 2024📄88 resources available✅Free to download
Download Past Papers
Type
Year
88 of 88 resources — page 1 of 4
June 2023
2 filesJune 2022
2 filesNovember 2021
4 filesNovember 2020
4 filesJune 2019
5 files📊
Physics A – Summer highlights report
Examiner Report
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Physics A – Question paper – Exploring physics
Question Paper
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Physics A – Question paper – Unified physics
Question Paper
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Physics A – Question paper – Modelling physics
Question Paper
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Physics A – Modified papers
Modified Paper
June 2018
4 filesJune 2017
3 filesNo date
1 file📝
Physics A – Unified physics
Sample Assessment Materials
Modelling and Exploring: The Twin Pillars of OCR Physics A Assessment
OCR A-Level Physics A (H556) divides its assessment between two thematic papers — Modelling Physics and Exploring Physics — plus a synoptic Unified Physics paper. This structure reflects the two fundamental approaches in physics: building mathematical models to predict behaviour, and designing experiments to test those predictions.
Paper 1: Modelling Physics (H556/01, 2 hours 15 minutes, 100 marks, 37%) tests content from Modules 2, 3, and 5. Module 2 provides the measurement foundations — units, significant figures, and estimation. Module 3 covers forces and motion: kinematics (SUVAT equations and projectile motion), Newton's laws, momentum, work-energy-power, and materials science (Young modulus, stress-strain curves). Module 5 covers Newtonian world and astrophysics: thermal physics (ideal gas laws, kinetic theory, specific heat capacity), circular motion, gravitational fields (Kepler's laws, orbital mechanics), and astrophysics (stellar classification, HR diagrams, cosmology).
Paper 2: Exploring Physics (H556/02, 2 hours 15 minutes, 100 marks, 37%) tests Modules 2, 4, and 6. Module 4 covers electrons, waves, and photons: charge and current, resistance and circuits, wave properties (refraction, diffraction, superposition, standing waves), quantum physics (photons, the photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality), and electromagnetic radiation. Module 6 covers particles and medical physics: capacitors (charging and discharging), electric fields, magnetic fields (force on conductors and charged particles), electromagnetic induction, particle physics (the Standard Model, quarks, leptons), nuclear physics (radioactive decay, binding energy), and medical imaging (X-rays, ultrasound, PET).
Paper 3: Unified Physics (H556/03, 1 hour 30 minutes, 70 marks, 26%) draws synoptically from all modules. It includes a case study passage requiring students to apply physics to unfamiliar real-world contexts, alongside extended-response and calculation questions.
Exam Paper Structure
Paper 1Calculator ✓
Modelling Physics
⏱ 2 hours 15 minutes🎯 100 marks📊 37% of grade
Measurements and SI unitsForces and motion (kinematics, Newton's laws, momentum)Work, energy, and powerMaterials (Young modulus, stress-strain)Thermal physics (ideal gas, kinetic theory)Circular motion and gravitational fieldsAstrophysics (stellar classification, cosmology)
Paper 2Calculator ✓
Exploring Physics
⏱ 2 hours 15 minutes🎯 100 marks📊 37% of grade
Charge, current, and resistanceElectrical circuits (Kirchhoff's laws, potential dividers)Waves (refraction, diffraction, superposition, standing waves)Quantum physics (photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality)Capacitors (charging, discharging, time constants)Electric and magnetic fieldsParticle physics (Standard Model, quarks, leptons)Nuclear physics and medical imaging
Paper 3Calculator ✓
Unified Physics
⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 70 marks📊 26% of grade
Synoptic questions across all modulesCase study passage (unfamiliar physics context)Extended-response and calculation questionsPractical skills and experimental evaluation
Key Information
| Exam Board | OCR |
| Specification Code | H556 |
| Qualification | A-Level |
| Grading Scale | A*–E |
| Assessment Type | 3 written papers + Practical Endorsement |
| Number Of Papers | 3 |
| Exam Duration | Papers 1 & 2: 2h 15m each. Paper 3: 1h 30m |
| Total Marks | 270 (100 + 100 + 70) |
| Calculator Status | Calculator allowed in all papers |
| Available Sessions | June 2017 – June 2024 |
| Total Resources | 77 |
Key Topics in Physics A
Topics you need to know
Forces and motion (SUVAT, projectiles, Newton's laws, momentum)Energy (work-energy theorem, conservation, power)Materials science (Young modulus, stress-strain behaviour)Waves (superposition, standing waves, diffraction, interference)Quantum physics (photons, photoelectric effect, de Broglie wavelength)Electric circuits (Kirchhoff's laws, internal resistance, potential dividers)Fields (gravitational, electric, magnetic, electromagnetic induction)Particle physics (Standard Model, conservation laws, nuclear physics)
Exam Command Words
| Command word | What the examiner expects |
|---|---|
| Calculate | Obtain a numerical answer using given data and appropriate physics equations, showing all working and units |
| Explain | Give physical reasons for a phenomenon, linking cause to effect using correct physics terminology |
| State | Give a brief, precise answer — typically a definition, value, or physical law |
| Describe | Give a detailed account of a physical process or experimental procedure |
| Suggest | Apply physics knowledge to propose an explanation for an observation in an unfamiliar context |
| Determine | Establish a result through calculation, measurement, or logical reasoning |
| Estimate | Use reasonable approximations and order-of-magnitude reasoning to find an approximate numerical answer |
Typical Grade Boundaries
| Grade | Approximate mark needed |
|---|---|
| A* | 70–82% |
| A | 59–69% |
| B | 49–58% |
| C | 40–48% |
| D | 31–39% |
| E | 22–30% |
⚠️ Typical boundaries across three papers (270 total marks). Actual boundaries vary by series — check OCR's website.
Unit Analysis as a Problem-Solving Tool and the Physics of Extended-Response Writing
OCR Physics A has a strong emphasis on quantitative problem-solving — a minimum of 40% of marks across all papers require mathematical skills. Unit analysis (dimensional analysis) is an underused technique that can both check your working and guide you toward the correct formula. If a question asks for a force and your answer has units of kg m⁻¹, something is wrong. Practise writing units alongside every step of your calculations, not just at the end.
The data booklet (CST992) provides equations, physical constants, and conversion factors. Knowing which equations are provided (and which are not) is crucial for revision. The booklet includes equations like E = hf and F = BIl but does not include derived results like the period of a simple pendulum. Make a list of the equations not in the booklet that you must memorise — this typically includes SUVAT equations, resistors in parallel, and specific derivations.
Extended-response questions in Physics A are graded using levels-based mark schemes. Level 3 (the highest) requires coherent, logically structured arguments with correct physics throughout. The most effective structure for a 6-mark physics explanation is: state the relevant physical principle, define key quantities, describe the physical process step by step, and link each step to the principle using correct terminology. Avoid listing disconnected facts — the marks reward connected reasoning.
Capacitor charging and discharging questions combine graphical interpretation with exponential mathematics. Be confident in sketching charge-time and current-time graphs for both charging and discharging, deriving time constants from graphs, and using the exponential equations Q = Q₀e^(-t/RC) and Q = Q₀(1 - e^(-t/RC)). These questions appear frequently and are highly predictable in their structure.
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