O-Level Physics (G3 Pure) - Theory Papers (P1 & P2)

Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level G3 Physics · Paper 1 (multiple choice, 40 questions) + Paper 2 (structured, 80 marks) · codes 5057 / 5058 / 5059 / 6091 · 2010–2026

General

2025

2026

33 papers tagged (16 × P1, 17 × P2) · 1559 questions/sub-parts · 159/159 syllabus learning outcomes ever tested · 17 papers on the new syllabus (6091, from 2018). Every question is tagged to the 6091 syllabus learning outcomes (159 outcomes in 20 topics); earlier papers (5057, 5058, 5059) are mapped onto the same codes so trends are comparable. Content removed from the syllabus is kept visible in the history but excluded from the predictions and the outcome counts. Predictions weight recent papers more heavily (half-life 6 years, 6091-syllabus papers ×1.6).

Year	Paper	Syllabus	What was asked — question by question	Removed content
2026Oct/Nov 2026	P2	6091 syl6091	Q1T 17mtick table: mass, weight, energy, work as vector/scalar and whether a base quantity Q2T 8, 99msmallest mass of 0 C ice that cools 0.20 kg of water from 20 C to 0 C (c = 4200, L = 330 0 Q3T 2, 3, 610mkinetic energy of a 0.50 kg glider after 3.0 s at 0.30 m/s2 Q4T 127mrefraction angle q at P for 35 degrees inside glass of n = 1.5 Q5T 2, 116mcar speed from infrared pulse return times of 350 ns and 370 ns, pulses 0.15 s apart Q6T 14, 158mcharge through a battery recharged at 0.60 A for 5.0 hours Q7T 187mdirection of spot movement for protons between N pole X and S pole Y (Fleming's left-hand Q8T 166mwhy damaged insulation on a hair dryer cable melts the plug fuse (live touches neutral, la Q9T 14, 1910mwhy lamp 2 is bright with 50:600 and 600:50 transformers (high voltage, low current in the Q10 optionalT 3, 5, 710mparticle explanation of gas compressing but liquid not (spacing) Q11 optionalT 2010mcomplete table of alpha, beta, gamma nature and stopping materials	—
2025Oct/Nov 2025	P1	6091 syl6091	Q1 T1Q2 T1Q3 T3Q4 T2Q5 T3Q6 T6Q7 T3Q8 T3Q9 T4Q10 T5Q11 T5Q12 T6Q13 T7Q14 T6Q15 T8Q16 T9Q17 T9Q18 T9Q19 T9Q20 T10Q21 T11Q22 T10Q23 T11Q24 T12Q25 T20Q26 T13Q27 T14Q28 T14Q29 T15Q30 T15Q31 T15Q32 T16Q33 T17Q34 T18Q35 T20Q36 T18Q37 T20Q38 T20Q39 T19Q40 T20	—
2025Oct/Nov 2025	P2	6091 syl6091	Q1T 2, 37mforces explaining the changing acceleration of a falling parachutist before the parachute Q2T 48mcentre of gravity and stability: laptop on its side falls over Q3T 5, 77mgas pressure in the syringe from the mercury height difference in a manometer Q4T 125mray diagram and image of an object near a converging lens Q5T 13, 148mcharges on the ball as it touches the positive plate (electron transfer) Q6T 14, 157mshow LDR resistance is 150 ohm from 14 V supply, 600 ohm resistor, 2.8 V voltmeter Q7T 10, 198mname the slip rings and brushes of a simple a.c. generator Q8T 11, 12, 169mis an 8.0 A fuse suitable for a 230 V oven with 800 W microwave and 1100 W grill Q9T 2011mwhy a neutral atom has equal numbers of electrons and protons Q10 optionalT 6, 8, 1910menergy wasted each minute by a 55% efficient gas-fired power station with 220 MW output Q11 optionalT 7, 910mcompare particle arrangement and motion in a solid and a liquid	—
2024Oct/Nov 2024	P1	6091 syl6091	Q1 T1Q2 T1Q3 T2Q4 T3Q5 T3Q6 T3Q7 T3Q8 T4Q9 T5Q10 T5Q11 T5Q12 T6Q13 T6Q14 T7Q15 T8Q16 T8Q17 T9Q18 T9Q19 T10Q20 T12Q21 T11Q22 T10Q23 T11Q24 T12Q25 T12Q26 T12Q27 T13Q28 T13Q29 T14Q30 T14Q31 T14Q32 T15Q33 T15Q34 T16Q35 T16Q36 T17Q37 T17Q38 T18Q39 T19Q40 T11	—
2024Oct/Nov 2024	P2	6091 syl6091	Q1T 2, 37msketch velocity-time graph of a bouncing ball over 5.0 s Q2T 38mfree-body diagram of a car moving down a hill Q3T 5, 77mpressure on the oil from 60 N on a 2.0 cm2 piston of a hydraulic press Q4T 66mforce of the wind on a sailing boat from work 1.6e5 J over 210 m Q5T 10, 118mwavelength of 2.5 GHz Bluetooth waves Q6T 10, 126mmaximum distance an ultrasound sensor emitting 8.0 pulses/s can measure at 320 m/s Q7T 15, 168mshow total resistance 120 ohm for series and parallel resistor network with a lamp Q8T 6, 8, 1610mwhy the fuse cannot be used as a fast-blow fuse (time at twice rating) Q9T 2010mparticles in a neutral atom of iodine-131 Q10 optionalT 14, 1910mstep-up and step-down transformers between power station and house, with reasons Q11 optionalT 16, 17, 1810mkettle circuit breaker: why contacts separate when the live wire touches the case	—
2023Oct/Nov 2023	P1	6091 syl6091	Q1 T3Q2 T5Q3 T1Q4 T1Q5 T2Q6 T2Q7 T3Q8 T3Q9 T4Q10 T4Q11 T5Q12 T5Q13 T6Q14 T6Q15 T6Q16 T7Q17 T8Q18 T8Q19 T8Q20 T9Q21 T9Q22 T9Q23 T9Q24 T10Q25 T10Q26 T12Q27 T12Q28 T12Q29 T11Q30 T10Q31 T13Q32 T13Q33 T13Q34 T14Q35 T14Q36 T15Q37 T14Q38 T15Q39 T16Q40 T19	—
2023Oct/Nov 2023	P2PARTIAL SCAN	6091 syl6091	Q1T 26mplot velocity-time graph of the man from gradients of displacement-time graph Q2T 36mman in stationary lift and in accelerating lift in no field: draw and label forces on man Q3T 4, 58msquare wooden sheet 500 N, 2.0 m by 2.0 m by 0.015 m: density of wood Q4T 73mgas in sealed tube with liquid index: explain with molecules why liquid moves when tempera Q5T 107mlight takes 500 s to travel 1.5e8 km: frequency of 450 nm blue light Q6T 17, 188mdescribe how a plotting compass is used to plot field lines on a card Q7T 16, 198mbuilding supplied at 230 V, 500 A for 3.0 h: number of kWh Q8T 1210mtable of i and r for blue and red light: angle of deviation of red light at i = 20.0 degre Q9T 610mGPE-distance graph of 20 kg ball: vertical distance fallen from A to B Q10 eitherT 8, 9, 1610mice in funnel melts before heater on: conduction, convection and radiation from surroundin Q10 orT 14, 1510mresistance of R in LED circuit with 9.0 V battery (V = IR across R)	—
2022Oct/Nov 2022	P1PARTIAL SCAN	6091 syl6091	Q1 T1Q2 T2Q3 T2Q4 T2Q5 T3Q6 T3Q7 T3Q8 T3Q9 T4Q10 T5Q11 T6Q12 T6Q13 T17Q14 T7Q15 T7Q16 T8Q17 T8Q19 T9Q20 T9Q21 T10Q22 T10Q23 T11Q24 T12Q25 T12Q26 T10Q27 T14Q28 T16Q29 T14Q30 T14Q31 T14Q32 T15Q33 T15Q34 T15Q35 T16Q36 T18Q38 T19Q40 T19	—
2022Oct/Nov 2022	P2	6091 syl6091	Q1T 1, 27mvelocity-time graph of firework: match AB, BC, CD to direction of motion and acceleration Q2T 58mcube floating in liquid, 20 cm sides, density 900 kg/m3: weight of cube Q3T 3, 68mballoon held by two strings: mark centre of gravity, draw and label upthrust U and weight Q4T 76mdescribe an experiment to demonstrate Brownian motion (smoke cell, microscope) Q5T 127mdiverging beam in glass with critical angle 42 degrees: which edge ray A or B emerges Q6T 10, 117mhow ultrasound pulses obtain an image of unborn baby (echoes from boundaries) Q7T 137muncharged metal sphere attracted to positive rod (charge separation by induction) Q8T 1010mearthquake P-wave (longitudinal) and S-wave (transverse): motion of building caused by eac Q9T 1510mvoltmeter readings when R = 800 ohm from series resistance and 6.0 V e.m.f. Q10 eitherT 9, 16, 1810msimple circuit breaker (electromagnet, iron arm, contacts): explain how it breaks the circ Q10 orT 15, 16, 18, 1910msimple d.c. motor in toy car: explain why coil experiences turning effect	—
2021Oct/Nov 2021	P1PARTIAL SCAN	6091 syl6091	Q1 T1Q2 T2Q3 T2Q4 T3Q5 T3Q6 T3Q7 T3Q8 T3Q9 T4Q10 T4Q11 T4Q12 T5Q13 T5Q14 T5Q15 T6Q16 T6Q17 T7Q18 T8Q20 T9Q22 T9Q23 T9Q24 T8Q25 T12Q26 T12Q27 T11Q28 T10Q29 T13Q30 T13Q31 T13Q32 T14Q33 T16Q34 T14Q35 T15Q36 T15Q37 T16Q38 T17Q39 T18Q40 T19	—
2021Oct/Nov 2021	P2	6091 syl6091	Q1T 1, 27maverage speed of an athlete running half a 20 m radius circular track in 7.5 s Q2T 37minitial vertical acceleration of the balloon (95 N up, 61 N weight), suitable significant Q3T 47mdownward force from the fixed base on a diving board using moments about the pivot Q4T 54musing a tall oil barometer to measure atmospheric pressure in Pa Q5T 107mcomplete statements on longitudinal and transverse waves and energy transfer without matte Q6T 126mdefine the focal length of a converging lens Q7T 14, 157mresistance of a wire of twice the length and twice the diameter Q8T 185mtwo ways the magnetic field at P differs from Q near a straight current-carrying wire Q9T 6, 1612mkinetic energy of a 1400 kg electric car at 90 km/h Q10T 98mdefine specific latent heat Q11 eitherT 14, 1510mdefine electromotive force (e.m.f.) Q11 orT 15, 16, 1910mmaximum number of 12 V, 8.0 W lamps from a 230 V, 200 mA fused 90% efficient transformer	—
2020Oct/Nov 2020	P1	6091 syl6091	Q1 T1Q2 T1Q3 T3Q4 T3Q5 T3Q6 T3Q7 T3Q8 T5Q9 T4Q10 T5Q11 T5Q12 T6Q13 T6Q14 T6Q15 T7Q16 T8Q17 T1Q18 T9Q19 T9Q20 T9Q21 T10Q22 T10Q23 T10Q24 T12Q25 T12Q26 T10Q27 T10Q28 T13Q29 T14Q30 T14Q31 T14Q32 T15Q33 T15Q34 T16Q35 T17Q36 T17Q37 T18Q38 T19Q39 T19Q40 T16	—
2020Oct/Nov 2020	P2	6091 syl6091	Q1T 1, 25mvelocity of a point on the Singapore Flyer in one full rotation: constant speed, changing Q2T 25mdraw the velocity-time graph of a ball thrown up, bouncing and caught (uniform acceleratio Q3T 37mdistinguish between mass and weight Q4T 67menergy changes of a shuttlecock slowing down to its highest point Y Q5T 8, 146mconvection of thermal energy by the gas inside a filament lamp Q6T 10, 11, 207mname the two missing components (ultraviolet, infrared) of the electromagnetic spectrum fr Q7T 136mwhy uncharged dust is attracted to a charged screen (induction) Q8T 15, 16, 187mmagnetic field pattern around and between two parallel wires carrying current in the same Q9T 6, 14, 1511mwhether switches S1 and S2 are open or closed to measure maximum current and maximum volta Q10T 10, 199mwhy an output voltage is produced in the secondary coil of a transformer (changing flux) Q11 eitherT 1210mangle of deviation of a ray leaving a prism of refractive index 1.5 (Snell's law, incidenc Q11 orT 1, 8, 9, 1610mhow the Celsius scale of temperature is defined from a physical quantity such as resistanc	—
2019Oct/Nov 2019	P1	6091 syl6091	Q1 T1Q2 T3Q3 T1Q4 T1Q5 T2Q6 T3Q7 T1Q8 T3Q9 T3Q10 T5Q11 T5Q12 T5Q13 T6Q14 T6Q15 T6Q16 T7Q17 T7Q18 T9Q19 T9Q20 T8Q21 T14Q22 T9Q23 T10Q24 T10Q25 T12Q26 T12Q27 T12Q28 T12Q29 T13Q30 T13Q31 T14Q32 T14Q33 T14Q34 T16Q35 T15Q36 T18Q37 T19Q38 T19Q39 T19Q40 T19	—
2019Oct/Nov 2019	P2	6091 syl6091	Q1T 26mvelocity always positive but acceleration negative when the athlete slows down Q2T 45mmoment of the weight of a 250 g metal sheet about a pin at A Q3T 67mstate what is meant by kinetic energy and by gravitational potential energy Q4T 5, 77mwhy the pressure of trapped air in a bicycle pump rises when volume decreases, in terms of Q5T 105mspeed of sound from two echo times at positions 200 m apart, to appropriate significant fi Q6T 157mresistance of a thermistor in series with a 1000 ohm resistor from the battery e.m.f. and Q7T 6, 166mpayback time of solar cells from annual kWh output and price per kWh Q8T 17, 187mdraw the magnetic field pattern of a solenoid with direction of field lines Q9T 9, 14, 16, 1812mtemperature rise of a copper lightning rod using density, specific heat capacity and resis Q10T 9, 118mmass of water vaporised in 120 s in an 850 W microwave oven absorbing 45% of input Q11 eitherT 310meffects of unbalanced forces on the motion of an object Q11 orT 1210mmethod using a semicircular glass block and protractor to find the critical angle	—
2018Oct/Nov 2018	P1	6091 syl6091	Q1 T1Q2 T1Q3 T10Q4 T3Q5 T3Q6 T2Q7 T2Q8 T3Q9 T3Q10 T4Q11 T4Q12 T3Q13 T5Q14 T5Q15 T6Q16 T6Q17 T7Q18 T7Q19 T1Q20 T8Q21 T8Q22 T10Q23 T10Q24 T10Q25 T12Q26 T12Q27 T10Q28 T10Q29 T13Q30 T15Q31 T14Q32 T15Q33 T14Q34 T14Q35 T16Q36 T18Q37 T18Q38 T19Q39 T19Q40 T19	—
2018Oct/Nov 2018	P2	6091 syl6091	Q1T 1, 56mdensity of a cylinder of length 2.6 cm, diameter 7.98 mm and mass 3.5 g Q2T 2, 38macceleration of a tanker from propeller force and drag force Q3T 6, 96mkinetic energy of a 60 kg child at 2.5 m/s at the bottom of a slide Q4T 74mhow very light air molecules create a large gas pressure on the container walls Q5T 13, 176mwhy a bar magnet is attracted to an iron plate (induced magnetism) Q6T 14, 159mdraw circuit diagram from a photograph of a battery, switch, resistor R and lamps P and Q Q7T 17, 196mwhy an output voltage is produced in a rotating coil (changing flux linkage) Q8T 185msketch paths of gamma rays (undeflected) and fast electrons (curved) entering a magnetic f Q9T 912mrise in body temperature of the runner when evaporation is the only energy loss Q10T 14, 15, 168madd ammeter and voltmeter in correct positions to plot a diode I-V graph Q11 eitherT 7, 10, 11, 1210mdescribe a direct method to measure the speed of sound in air and calculate it Q11 orT 1210mthree image characteristics (virtual, upright, magnified) when object is inside focal leng	—
2017Oct/Nov 2017	P1	old syl5059	Q1 T1Q2 T1Q3 T3Q4 T2Q5 T3Q6 T3Q7 T3Q8 T5Q9 T1Q10 T6Q11 T6Q12 T6Q13 T6Q14 T5Q15 T7Q16 T9Q17 T9Q18 T9Q19 T8Q20 T8Q21 T10Q22 T10Q23 T10Q24 T12Q25 T12Q26 T11Q27 T10Q28 T10Q29 T17Q30 T13Q31 T13Q32 T14Q33 T14Q34 T14Q35 T15Q36 T18Q37 T19Q38 T19Q39 T19Q40 T19	2 marks R-DEMAG, R-THERMOM
2017Oct/Nov 2017	P2	old syl5059	Q1T 17mcomplete the table of prefixes, symbols and values (milli, mega, 10^3 kilo, 10^-9 nano) Q2T 3, 48mstate the principle of moments Q3T 55mpressure difference measured by the water manometer from the level difference (rho g h) Q4T 66mstate what is meant by work Q5T 106mpoints A and B 38 cm apart with the graphs given: show one possible wave speed is about 20 Q6T 166mtwo other electrical safety features in household appliances (earthing, double insulation, Q7T 185mhow the directions of the forces on sides AB and CD were determined (Fleming left-hand rul Q8T 17, 197mwhy an iron ring suspended by a thread is attracted to a bar magnet (induced magnetism) Q9T 11, 1210mglass in silicone oil: using angle of incidence, critical angle and refractive index, why Q10T 2, 310mdraw and label the forces (weight and tension) on a mass hanging in the car at 30.0 s Q11 optionalT 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 1620mOR: resistance of H2 when the parallel total is one quarter of H1	—
2016Oct/Nov 2016	P1	old syl5059	Q1 T1Q2 T1Q3 T3Q4 T2Q5 T3Q6 T3Q7 T5Q8 T4Q9 T5Q10 T5Q11 T5Q12 T6Q13 T6Q14 T6Q15 T7Q16 T7Q17 T7Q18 T8Q19 T9Q20 T9Q21 T9Q22 T8Q23 T10Q24 T10Q25 T12Q26 T12Q27 T11Q28 T10Q29 T13Q30 T14Q31 T16Q32 T15Q33 T15Q34 T16Q35 T16Q36 T17Q37 T18Q38 T18Q39 T19Q40 T19	1 marks R-THERMOM
2016Oct/Nov 2016	P2	old syl5059	Q1T 2, 36mball thrown upwards from a cliff top: magnitude and direction of acceleration on the way u Q2T 3, 57mdraw and label forces on a man crouching and in the air during a vertical jump Q3T 66mdefine work Q4T 97msteam condensing in a coil raises seawater internal energy: explain and effect on seawater Q5T 128mdraw lens, mark a focal point and three rays to form a diminished real image of an object Q6T 135mdraw the electric field pattern outside a small negatively charged sphere Q7T 156mLDR (600 ohm, bright) in series with 8.0 kohm on 12 V: output voltage across the LDR Q8T 4, 17, 185mmodel circuit breaker: moments of 30 N cm and 11 N cm about the pivot, spring force at 25 Q9T 1011mdraw the oscilloscope trace of 0.050 s, 6 V pulses at 2 per second (Y-gain 2 V/div, time b Q10T 14, 159mresistance of the lamp at 6.0 V read from the I-V graph Q11 optionalT 6, 14, 15, 16, 1920mEITHER: total current for 35 lamps (12, 40 and 18 W groups) in parallel on 230 V	3 marks R-CRO
2015Oct/Nov 2015	P1	old syl5059	Q1 T1Q2 T1Q3 T1Q4 T10Q5 T3Q6 T3Q7 T3Q8 T3Q9 T5Q10 T4Q11 T5Q12 T6Q13 T6Q14 T7Q15 T7Q16 T8Q17 T8Q18 T9Q19 T9Q20 T9Q21 T10Q22 T10Q23 T10Q24 T10Q25 T12Q26 T12Q27 T12Q28 T10Q29 T10Q30 T13Q31 T14Q32 T15Q33 T15Q34 T15Q35 T16Q36 T16Q37 T18Q38 T19Q39 T19Q40 T10	2 marks R-CRO, R-GASLAW
2015Oct/Nov 2015	P2	old syl5059	Q1T 1, 66mathlete on rowing machine: measurements to find the average time of one movement Q2T 46mstate the principle of moments Q3T 5, 78mhydraulic press: force the oil exerts on piston P from pressure and area Q4T 3, 66mestimate loss of gravitational potential energy during the free fall Q5T 96mmass of water at 85 C that heats a thermometer from 20 C to 80 C (heat capacity 2.5 J/C) Q6T 127mangle of refraction in glass of refractive index 1.5 for 45 degree incidence Q7T 134mhow fuel flowing through an insulating hose becomes charged (friction transfers electrons) Q8T 14, 157mvariable resistor circuit: current in lamp at 2.9 V and 3.2 ohm Q9T 8, 1410mfuse wire X: current-p.d. relationship at low and high currents from table Q10T 2, 310mdistance between A and B from the velocity-time graph Q11 optionalT 1010mEITHER: c.r.o. traces from microphones A and B show the same pitch Q11 orT 16, 17, 1910mOR: maximum power in a 2.5 kilohm resistor from 20 V maximum e.m.f.	5 marks R-CRO, R-THERMOM
2014Oct/Nov 2014	P1	old syl5058	Q1 T5Q2 T1Q3 T1Q4 T2Q5 T3Q6 T3Q7 T3Q8 T3Q9 T3Q10 T4Q11 T5Q12 T5Q13 T6Q14 T7Q15 T7Q16 T8Q17 T8Q18 T9Q19 T9Q20 T9Q21 T10Q22 T12Q23 T12Q24 T12Q25 T2Q26 T10Q27 T18Q28 T13Q29 T1Q30 T15Q31 T15Q32 T16Q33 T17Q34 T17Q35 T18Q36 T18Q37 T19Q38 T19Q39 T19Q40 T19	3 marks R-DIODE, R-GASLAW, R-THERMOM
2014Oct/Nov 2014	P2	old syl5058	Q1T 65mmaximum speed of a 45 kg gymnast from kinetic energy of 1900 J Q2T 1, 56mvolume of metal in a washer from its dimensions Q3T 3, 46mmoments about point X to find the lift force from the front rotor Q4T 75mtwo reasons why collisions with air molecules make smoke particles move randomly Q5T 8, 97menergy removed to cool 400 g of water from 20 C to ice at 0 C in a freezer tray Q6T 127mcompleting paths of two rays from an underwater lamp at X and Y at the surface Q7T 14, 156mtotal resistance of a parallel-series combination with LDR at 80 ohm Q8T 6, 11, 168myearly saving in cost using a 10 W lamp instead of 40 W (kWh at 25 cents) Q9T 6, 1910mdescribing how wind turbine power output varies with wind speed from the graph Q10T 2, 310mmass of the bag from the gradient of the a-P graph Q11 eitherT 14, 1510mcurrent in R1 of 500 ohm Q11 orT 1010mnumber of vibrations of a clarinet reed (220 Hz) before sound travels 21 m	—
2013Oct/Nov 2013	P1	old syl5058	Q1 T1Q2 T1Q3 T10Q4 T2Q5 T2Q6 T3Q7 T3Q8 T3Q9 T3Q10 T5Q11 T4Q12 T4Q13 T5Q14 T5Q15 T6Q16 T6Q17 T6Q18 T16Q19 T7Q20 T7Q21 T8Q22 T9Q23 T9Q24 T9Q25 T10Q26 T10Q27 T12Q28 T11Q29 T10Q30 T13Q31 T16Q32 T14Q33 T15Q34 T14Q35 T16Q36 T17Q37 T18Q38 T18Q39 T19Q40 T19	2 marks R-DIODE, R-THERMOM
2013Oct/Nov 2013	P2	old syl5058	Q1T 2, 38mdescribe how the stone acceleration changes from A to D on the speed-time graph Q2T 34mstone hung by two strings (1.3 N at 40 deg, 2.0 N at 60 deg): scale diagram of the resulta Q3T 66mgolf club hitting a ball: how conservation of energy applies Q4T 85mfeatures of a black finned metal heat sink that transfer heat away easily Q5T 95mthermal energy to heat 0.20 kg water and cup from 20 to 90 C Q6T 126mcritical angle of a block of refractive index 1.3 Q7T 137mdraw induced charges on conductor Y near charged X Q8T 175melectrical method to demagnetise a bar magnet Q9T 194mexplain why a current is induced in the experiment Q10T 1610mTV in full use: total power from currents in main and stand-by circuits at 230 V Q11T 12, 14, 1510mresistance of an LED as p.d. rises, from I-V graph Q12 optionalT 1010mEITHER: sound from whistle to microphone, compressions and rarefactions in air Q12 orT 5, 710mOR: pressure at 30 m depth in a lake (atmosphere plus rho g h) on a gas bubble	7 marks R-CRO, R-DEMAG, R-GASLAW
2012Oct/Nov 2012	P1	old syl5058	Q1 T1Q2 T1Q3 T2Q4 T3Q5 T3Q6 T3Q7 T4Q8 T4Q9 T3Q10 T5Q11 T5Q12 T5Q13 T6Q14 T6Q15 T7Q16 T7Q17 T8Q18 T9Q19 T9Q20 T10Q21 T10Q22 T12Q23 T12Q24 T12Q25 T11Q26 T10Q27 T18Q28 T13Q29 T15Q30 T15Q31 T15Q32 T15Q33 T15Q34 T15Q35 T16Q36 T15Q37 T18Q38 T19Q39 T19Q40 T19	4 marks R-DIODE, R-GASLAW, R-THERMOM
2012Oct/Nov 2012	P2	old syl5058	Q1T 27mspeed-time graph of a car overtaking a lorry: acceleration while speeding up Q2T 65mkinetic energy of a 60 kg swimmer moving at 0.80 m/s Q3T 8, 117mfilament colour changes white to red as current is reduced: changes in radiation emitted Q4T 5, 76mdensity of cold air in a cylinder from piston volume readings and the room-temperature den Q5T 8, 95mwhy temperature stays constant during solidification although energy is lost Q6T 126mray diagram: two rays from object top through a converging lens (f = 4.0 cm) locating the Q7T 157mtotal resistance of a series-parallel network of four resistors on a 6.0 V battery Q8T 187mwhy the coil of a d.c. motor turns when the switch is closed Q9T 2, 1010mtime for the fastest wave from a typhoon 2000 km away to reach a ship Q10T 14, 1510mcircuit diagram for lamp I-V experiment with a 12 V battery, potentiometer, ammeter and vo Q11 eitherT 1610mpurpose and action of the fuse in the plug Q11 orT 1310msteps to charge a metal plate by induction using a positive rod and an earth lead	—
2011Oct/Nov 2011	P1	old syl5058	Q1 T1Q2 T1Q3 T2Q4 T2Q5 T3Q6 T3Q7 T5Q8 T4Q9 T5Q10 T5Q11 T6Q12 T6Q13 T6Q14 T7Q15 T7Q16 T8Q17 T9Q18 T9Q19 T9Q20 T10Q21 T12Q22 T12Q23 T12Q24 T11Q25 T10Q26 T17Q27 T17Q28 T13Q29 T14Q30 T15Q31 T15Q32 T16Q33 T16Q34 T18Q35 T18Q36 T19Q37 T19Q38 T15Q39 T15Q40 T10	4 marks R-CRO, R-DIODE, R-GASLAW, R-THERMOM
2011Oct/Nov 2011	P2	old syl5058	Q1T 5, 76mwhy gas pressure rises with temperature (molecules, force per area) Q2T 68mstate principle of conservation of energy Q3T 96mwhy that thermometer responds to rapidly changing temperature Q4T 107mwave speed from f and wavelength 40 cm Q5T 10, 117mcomponent of EM spectrum out of order in list Q6T 6, 13, 147mrubbed plastic becomes negative, cloth positive (electron transfer) Q7T 174mdraw magnetic field between and around two bar magnets A and B Q8T 195mwhy e.m.f. is induced in rotating coil of a.c. generator Q9T 2, 311mplot distance-time graph for light shuttlecock Q10T 14, 15, 169mcurrents at P, Q, R for 240 V 100 W and 60 W lamps in parallel Q11 eitherT 1210mangle of refraction in glass (n = 1.5) for ray read from protractor Q11 orT 3, 410mmark W, E and F on sack truck carrying box of sand	3 marks R-THERMOM
2010Oct/Nov 2010	P1	old syl5057	Q1 T1Q2 T1Q3 T2Q4 T3Q5 T3Q6 T3Q7 T3Q8 T5Q9 T3Q10 T4Q11 T5Q12 T5Q13 T6Q14 T6Q15 T7Q16 T7Q17 T8Q18 T9Q19 T9Q20 T9Q21 T10Q22 T12Q23 T12Q24 T11Q25 T10Q26 T17Q27 T13Q28 T14Q29 T15Q30 T15Q31 T15Q32 T16Q33 T16Q34 T18Q35 T18Q36 T19Q37 T19Q38 T19Q39 T15Q40 T10	3 marks R-CRO, R-DIODE, R-THERMOM
2010Oct/Nov 2010	P2	old syl5057	Q1T 1, 26mexplain difference between speed and velocity Q2T 47mhanging mobile decoration, rod 1 balance: find distance d Q3T 8, 97mexplain how convection current forms in air next to ice bag Q4T 104mdistance from ship to sea bed using sonar echo Q5T 107mmeaning of wave motion and how ripple tank water shows transverse waves Q6T 135mexample of dangerous electrostatic charging and how danger is reduced Q7T 16, 197mturns on secondary between P and Q (110 V) from Vp/Vs=Np/Ns Q8T 187mdraw magnetic field line through A and B in solenoid with direction Q9T 1210mrefractive index of fibre glass from ray 1 distance and time data Q10T 14, 15, 1610mtotal resistance of series lamps Q11 eitherT 2, 3, 610mstate principle of conservation of energy Q11 orT 5, 710mwhat is seen in Brownian motion and how it shows molecules move	—

Each paper broken down question by question: Q1 T 1, 2 5m means question 1 drew on topics 1 and 2 and was worth 5 marks. Hover a question for what it actually asked. For Paper 1 (multiple choice) each chip is one question and its topic (Q3 T8 = Q3, topic 8). In Section B, either/or alternatives of one question are listed separately, and choose-a-question items are marked optional.

Each cell is the number of questions on that topic in that year's Paper 1 (40 Physics questions, 1 mark each). Only content a 2026 candidate can still be asked is counted; a cell with an orange underline also lost marks that year to content since removed from the syllabus (hover for the amount) and the bottom row totals them. Darker = heavier.

Topic	’10	’11	’12	’13	’14	’15	’16	’17	’18	’19	’20	’21	’22	’23	’24	’25	’26	Avg	Last 5	Share
1. Physical Quantities, Units and MeasurementMeasurement	2	2	2	2	3	3	2	3	3	4	3	n/a	n/a	2	2	2	n/a	2.5	2.6	6%
2. KinematicsMechanics	1	2	1	2	2	·	1	1	2	1	·	n/a	n/a	2	1	1	n/a	1.2	1.0	3%
3. DynamicsMechanics	5	2	4	4	5	4	3	4	5	4	5	n/a	n/a	3	4	4	n/a	4.0	4.0	10%
4. Turning Effect of ForcesMechanics	1	1	2	2	1	1	1	·	2	·	1	n/a	n/a	2	1	1	n/a	1.1	1.0	3%
5. PressureMechanics	3	3	3	3	3	2	4	2	2	3	3	n/a	n/a	3	3	2	n/a	2.8	2.8	7%
6. EnergyMechanics	2	3	2	3	1	2	3	4	2	3	3	n/a	n/a	3	2	3	n/a	2.6	2.8	7%
7. Kinetic Particle Model of MatterThermal physics	2	1	1	2	1	1	3	1	2	2	1	n/a	n/a	1	1	1	n/a	1.4	1.2	4%
8. Thermal ProcessesThermal physics	1	1	1	1	2	2	2	2	2	1	1	n/a	n/a	3	2	1	n/a	1.6	1.6	4%
9. Thermal Properties of MatterThermal physics	2	2	1	2	2	3	2	2	·	3	3	n/a	n/a	4	2	4	n/a	2.3	3.2	6%
10. General Properties of WavesWaves	2	2	3	4	2	7	3	5	6	2	5	n/a	n/a	3	2	2	n/a	3.4	2.8	9%
11. Electromagnetic SpectrumWaves	1	1	1	1	·	·	1	1	·	·	·	n/a	n/a	1	3	2	n/a	0.9	1.2	2%
12. LightWaves	2	3	3	1	3	3	2	2	2	4	2	n/a	n/a	3	4	1	n/a	2.5	2.8	6%
13. Static ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	1	2	1	n/a	n/a	3	2	1	n/a	1.4	1.8	4%
14. Current of ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	1	1	·	1	·	1	1	3	3	4	3	n/a	n/a	3	3	2	n/a	1.9	3.0	5%
15. D.C. CircuitsElectricity and magnetism	3	3	5	1	1	3	2	1	2	1	2	n/a	n/a	2	2	3	n/a	2.2	2.0	6%
16. Practical ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	2	2	1	3	1	2	3	·	1	1	2	n/a	n/a	1	2	1	n/a	1.6	1.4	4%
17. MagnetismElectricity and magnetism	1	2	·	1	2	·	1	·	·	·	2	n/a	n/a	·	2	1	n/a	0.9	1.0	2%
18. ElectromagnetismElectricity and magnetism	2	2	2	2	3	1	2	1	2	1	1	n/a	n/a	·	1	2	n/a	1.6	1.0	4%
19. Electromagnetic InductionElectricity and magnetism	3	2	3	2	4	2	2	4	3	4	2	n/a	n/a	1	1	1	n/a	2.4	1.8	6%
20. RadioactivityRadioactivity	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	n/a	n/a	·	·	5	n/a	0.4	1.0	1%
Live total	37	36	36	38	37	38	39	38	40	40	40	n/a	n/a	40	40	40	n/a	38.5	40.0
Removed content (not counted)	3	4	4	2	3	2	1	2	·	·	·	n/a	n/a	·	·	·	n/a

2021, 2022: no paper in the archive. · 2026: Paper 1 not sat yet (n/a).

Each cell is the number of marks on that topic in that year's Paper 2 (out of 80). Section B questions are optional, so each optional question counts by the share of the optional marks a candidate actually answers (worked out per paper so that every Paper 2 adds up to 80). Only content a 2027 candidate can still be asked is counted; a cell with an orange underline also lost marks that year to content since removed from the syllabus (hover for the amount) and the bottom row totals them. Darker = heavier.

Topic	’10	’11	’12	’13	’14	’15	’16	’17	’18	’19	’20	’21	’22	’23	’24	’25	’26	Avg	Last 5	Share
1. Physical Quantities, Units and MeasurementMeasurement	1	·	·	·	2	3	·	7	3	·	2.5	4	1	n/a	·	·	7	1.9	2.4	2%
2. KinematicsMechanics	6	3	9	4	2	6	4	3	3	6	9	3	6	n/a	6	3	5	4.9	4.6	6%
3. DynamicsMechanics	2	9.5	·	8	11	6	7	9	5	5	7	7	4	n/a	9	4	2.5	6.0	5.3	8%
4. Turning Effect of ForcesMechanics	7	3.5	·	·	3	6	2	6	·	5	·	7	·	n/a	·	8	·	3.0	3.0	4%
5. PressureMechanics	1.5	3	2	2.5	4	6	2	5	3	3	·	4	8	n/a	5	5	2	3.5	4.8	4%
6. EnergyMechanics	2	10	5	6	16	7	7.5	6	5	10	14	10	4	n/a	7	2.5	6	7.4	5.9	9%
7. Kinetic Particle Model of MatterThermal physics	3.5	3	4	1.5	5	2	·	1	5	4	·	·	6	n/a	2	3.5	2.5	2.7	2.8	3%
8. Thermal ProcessesThermal physics	5	·	6	5	3	3	·	2.5	·	·	5	·	·	n/a	3	1	1	2.2	1.0	3%
9. Thermal Properties of MatterThermal physics	2	3	4	5	4	3	7	1.5	13	6	1.5	8	1.5	n/a	·	3.5	8	4.4	4.2	6%
10. General Properties of WavesWaves	11	8	8	3.5	5	4	8	6	2.5	5	4	7	15	n/a	5	2	·	5.9	5.8	7%
11. Electromagnetic SpectrumWaves	·	6	2	·	2	·	·	1	0.5	5	4	·	2	n/a	6	2	3	2.1	2.6	3%
12. LightWaves	10	5	6	7	7	7	8	9	6	5	5	6	7	n/a	3	9	7	6.7	6.4	8%
13. Static ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	5	4	5	7	·	4	5	·	4	·	6	·	7	n/a	·	7	·	3.4	2.8	4%
14. Current of ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	3	4	6	6	4	10	8	2	6	2	4	6.5	·	n/a	1.5	2	10	4.7	4.0	6%
15. D.C. CircuitsElectricity and magnetism	3	4	11	3	7	4	9	2	9	7	5	6	11	n/a	6	6	2	5.9	6.2	8%
16. Practical ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	8	2	5	10	3	1.5	4	7	2	8	2	3	2	n/a	8.5	3	6	4.7	4.5	6%
17. MagnetismElectricity and magnetism	·	4	·	3	·	1	2	3	3	3	·	·	·	n/a	2	·	·	1.3	0.4	2%
18. ElectromagnetismElectricity and magnetism	7	·	7	·	·	·	1	5	5	6	3	5	4.5	n/a	2.5	·	7	3.3	3.8	4%
19. Electromagnetic InductionElectricity and magnetism	3	5	·	4	2	2.5	2.5	4	5	·	7	3.5	1	n/a	3.5	7.5	6	3.5	4.3	4%
20. RadioactivityRadioactivity	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	·	1	·	·	n/a	10	11	5	1.7	5.2	2%
Live total	80	77	80	75.5	80	76	77	80	80	80	80	80	80	n/a	80	80	80	79.1	80.0
Removed content (not counted)	·	3	·	4.5	·	4	3	·	·	·	·	·	·	n/a	·	·	·

2023: no paper in the archive.

Syllabus 6091 was first examined in 2018; before that the papers were set on 5057 and 5058 and 5059. Comparing 16 papers from before 2018 against 17 on the new syllabus. Share = percentage of live (non-removed) marks of both papers together. A large positive shift means the new syllabus leans on that topic harder.

Topic	Before 2018	From 2018	Shift	Reading
20. Radioactivity	0.0%	3.1%	+3.1	heavier under the new syllabus
9. Thermal Properties of Matter	4.9%	6.2%	+1.3	broadly unchanged
11. Electromagnetic Spectrum	1.8%	2.9%	+1.1	broadly unchanged
2. Kinematics	5.1%	5.7%	+0.6	broadly unchanged
18. Electromagnetism	3.8%	4.3%	+0.6	broadly unchanged
14. Current of Electricity	5.5%	5.8%	+0.3	broadly unchanged
15. D.C. Circuits	6.7%	6.9%	+0.2	broadly unchanged
19. Electromagnetic Induction	4.9%	5.1%	+0.2	broadly unchanged
7. Kinetic Particle Model of Matter	3.5%	3.6%	+0.1	broadly unchanged
1. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement	3.5%	3.4%	+0.0	broadly unchanged
6. Energy	8.6%	8.6%	+0.0	broadly unchanged
5. Pressure	5.3%	5.1%	-0.2	broadly unchanged
17. Magnetism	2.2%	1.9%	-0.2	broadly unchanged
4. Turning Effect of Forces	3.9%	3.5%	-0.5	broadly unchanged
13. Static Electricity	4.2%	3.6%	-0.6	broadly unchanged
16. Practical Electricity	5.9%	5.0%	-0.9	broadly unchanged
12. Light	8.4%	7.5%	-0.9	broadly unchanged
3. Dynamics	9.0%	8.1%	-1.0	broadly unchanged
8. Thermal Processes	3.9%	2.7%	-1.3	broadly unchanged
10. General Properties of Waves	8.8%	6.9%	-1.9	lighter under the new syllabus

Content that disappeared

Topics the older papers tested that the 6091 syllabus no longer contains. Each is shown in the history (removed) but left out of the forecast and of the outcome counts. Marks are as a candidate sat them.

Code	Content no longer examined	Marks	Sub-parts	Years seen
R-THERMOM	Thermometric properties: thermometer scales, calibration, fixed points, thermocouple e.m.f. (not in the current syllabus)	13	11	10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
R-CRO	Cathode-ray oscilloscope: drawing/reading a trace using Y-gain and time-base settings	8.5	6	10, 11, 13, 15, 16
R-DIODE	semiconductor diode and half-wave rectification of a.c.	6	6	10, 11, 12, 13, 14
R-GASLAW	gas laws: relationship between pressure, volume and temperature of a fixed mass of gas (Boyle)	5	6	11, 12, 13, 14, 15
R-DEMAG	Magnetisation and demagnetisation of magnets by solenoid (using a.c. and withdrawing slowly, hammering, heating)	3	2	13, 17

Removed content still sitting in your past papers

Marks per year that test content a 2026 candidate is no longer examined on: 31 sub-parts, 39 printed marks across the archive. If you drill these papers verbatim, this is the time you would waste.

Year	Removed marks	Live marks	Proportion
2026	0	80	0.0%
2025	0	120	0.0%
2024	0	120	0.0%
2023	0	40	0.0%
2022	0	80	0.0%
2021	0	80	0.0%
2020	0	120	0.0%
2019	0	120	0.0%
2018	0	120	0.0%
2017	2	118	1.7%
2016	4	116	3.3%
2015	6	114	5.0%
2014	3	117	2.5%
2013	6.5	113.5	5.4%
2012	4	116	3.3%
2011	7	113	5.8%
2010	3	117	2.5%

Where each topic actually earns its marks. A topic that lives in P1 needs fast recognition; one that lives in P2 needs written explanation and working.

Topic	P1	P2	Balance	Dominant question styles
6. Energy	36	118	23% P1	calculation ×61 recall ×25 extended-explanation ×12
3. Dynamics	56	96	37% P1	apply ×37 calculation ×31 recall ×24
10. General Properties of Waves	51	99.5	34% P1	calculation ×47 recall ×31 apply ×19
12. Light	35	107	25% P1	apply ×48 calculation ×23 recall ×17
15. D.C. Circuits	36	95	27% P1	calculation ×40 apply ×30 extended-explanation ×13
9. Thermal Properties of Matter	39	77	34% P1	calculation ×33 recall ×23 apply ×16
14. Current of Electricity	27	75	26% P1	calculation ×37 data-interpretation ×13 extended-explanation ×12
16. Practical Electricity	22	75	23% P1	calculation ×30 extended-explanation ×14 recall ×13
2. Kinematics	17	78	18% P1	calculation ×23 data-interpretation ×15 apply ×14
5. Pressure	39	56	41% P1	calculation ×45 apply ×17 extended-explanation ×9
19. Electromagnetic Induction	34	56.5	38% P1	extended-explanation ×21 recall ×21 apply ×20
18. Electromagnetism	22	53	29% P1	apply ×30 extended-explanation ×13 recall ×10
13. Static Electricity	19	54	26% P1	apply ×26 extended-explanation ×23 recall ×9
7. Kinetic Particle Model of Matter	24	44	35% P1	extended-explanation ×21 apply ×17 recall ×14
1. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement	35	30.5	53% P1	recall ×28 apply ×15 calculation ×8
4. Turning Effect of Forces	16	47.5	25% P1	calculation ×19 apply ×11 recall ×10
8. Thermal Processes	22	34.5	39% P1	apply ×18 extended-explanation ×16 recall ×9
11. Electromagnetic Spectrum	12	33.5	26% P1	recall ×32 extended-explanation ×5 apply ×2
17. Magnetism	13	23	36% P1	apply ×13 extended-explanation ×8 recall ×8
20. Radioactivity	5	27	16% P1	recall ×10 data-interpretation ×7 calculation ×6

Every question is sorted into one of three levels of thinking, inferred from what it asks you to do. Marks here are live content only (questions on removed content excluded), so they reflect what the next papers are likely to demand. Recall = state / name / define (recall); Knowledge & understanding = describe / explain / apply a concept (apply, extended-explanation); Handling information = interpret data, calculate, design, solve (data-interpretation, calculation, experimental-design). These approximate the O-Level assessment objectives — AO1 (recall + understanding) and AO2 (handling information). The level is inferred from question style, so treat these as close estimates, not the official mark scheme split.

Recall

19% of live marks
345.5 marks across the archive

Knowledge & understanding

41% of live marks
738 marks across the archive

Handling information

40% of live marks
721 marks across the archive

By paper

The multiple-choice paper leans on recall and recognition; the structured paper is where data-handling and problem-solving marks live.

Level of thinking	P1 marks	% of P1	P2 marks	% of P2	Total	Share of all marks
Recall	119	22%	226.5	18%	345.5	19%
Knowledge & understanding	232	43%	506	40%	738	41%
Handling information	188	35%	533	42%	721	40%
All questions	539	100%	1265.5	100%	1804.5

By year

How the balance of thinking has shifted over time — the bar shows each year's mix as a proportion, so you can see trends even though papers differ slightly in size. Marks are live content only, both papers combined.

Year	Recall	Know & und.	Handling	Total
2026	24.5	25	30.5	80
2025	23	50	47	120
2024	28	47.5	44.5	120
2023	6	18	16	40
2022	8	34.5	37.5	80
2021	22	20	38	80
2020	25.5	50	44.5	120
2019	27	45	48	120
2018	22	54	44	120
2017	29	44	45	118
2016	19	49.5	47.5	116
2015	13	50.5	50.5	114
2014	22	44	51	117
2013	20	54	39.5	113.5
2012	19	52.5	44.5	116
2011	18.5	49	45.5	113
2010	19	50.5	47.5	117

Colours: Recall Knowledge & understanding Handling information

By topic

Which chapters are recall-heavy versus which demand data-handling and problem-solving. Hover a bar for the marks in each level.

Topic	Recall	Know & und.	Handling
6. Energy	30.5	32	91.5
3. Dynamics	26	76.5	49.5
10. General Properties of Waves	32	30.5	79.5
12. Light	18	79	45
15. D.C. Circuits	10	46.5	69.5
9. Thermal Properties of Matter	22	22.5	58.5
14. Current of Electricity	11	24	66
16. Practical Electricity	14.5	30	52.5
2. Kinematics	13	28	54
5. Pressure	3	28	64
19. Electromagnetic Induction	19	49.5	22
18. Electromagnetism	15	59	1
13. Static Electricity	11	60	2
1. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement	32	17.5	16
4. Turning Effect of Forces	13.5	20	30
7. Kinetic Particle Model of Matter	12.5	47.5	3
8. Thermal Processes	9	46.5	1
11. Electromagnetic Spectrum	35.5	8	2
17. Magnetism	7	26	0
20. Radioactivity	11	7	14

Colours: Recall Knowledge & understanding Handling information

Paper 1 · multiple choice · 2026 paper. Forecast of how many questions each topic is worth out of 40: the recency-weighted average over all 14 sittings (half-life 6 years; 6091-syllabus papers ×1.6), counting only content a 2026 candidate can still be asked. Heaviest three: Dynamics (4.1), General Properties of Waves (3.2), Pressure (2.7).

#	Topic	2026 forecast (questions)	Recent range	Last 8 sittings ’16’17’18’19’20’23’24’25	Trend	Reliability
1	3. DynamicsMechanics	4.1	3–5	34545344	▬	steady
2	10. General Properties of WavesWaves	3.2	2–6	35625322	▼	moderate
3	5. PressureMechanics	2.7	2–4	42233332	▬	steady
4	9. Thermal Properties of MatterThermal physics	2.7	0–4	22·33424	▲	moderate
5	6. EnergyMechanics	2.7	2–4	34233323	▬	steady
6	12. LightWaves	2.6	1–4	22242341	▬	moderate
7	1. Physical Quantities, Units and MeasurementMeasurement	2.5	2–4	23343222	▬	steady
8	14. Current of ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	2.5	1–4	13343332	▬	steady
9	15. D.C. CircuitsElectricity and magnetism	2.2	1–3	21212223	▬	steady
10	19. Electromagnetic InductionElectricity and magnetism	2.0	1–4	24342111	▼	moderate
11	8. Thermal ProcessesThermal physics	1.7	1–3	22211321	▬	moderate
12	13. Static ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	1.6	1–3	12121321	▬	moderate
13	16. Practical ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	1.5	0–3	3·112121	▬	moderate
14	18. ElectromagnetismElectricity and magnetism	1.3	0–2	21211·12	▬	moderate
15	7. Kinetic Particle Model of MatterThermal physics	1.3	1–3	31221111	▼	moderate
16	2. KinematicsMechanics	1.2	0–2	1121·211	▬	moderate
17	11. Electromagnetic SpectrumWaves	1.2	0–3	11···132	▲	volatile
18	4. Turning Effect of ForcesMechanics	1.2	0–2	1·2·1211	▬	volatile
19	20. RadioactivityRadioactivity	0.9	0–5	·······5	▲	volatile
20	17. MagnetismElectricity and magnetism	0.9	0–2	1···2·21	▬	volatile

Reliability: steady appeared in every recent sitting with a small spread; volatile swings a lot or skips years — treat its forecast as a guess. Trend ▲/▼ means a clear drift over the recent sittings (hover for the rate); ▬ means no clear direction.

The outcomes this paper keeps returning to

Learning outcomes ranked by how often (and how recently) they have been asked in Paper 1. These are the outcomes most likely to appear again.

LO	Topic	Learning outcome	Last 5 / all	Last seen	A recent example
10(c)	10. General Properties of Waves	define and use the terms speed, frequency, wavelength, period and amplitude, including graphical representation	5 / 21	2025	2025 Q20 — wavelength of a water wave from crest travel (20 m in 5.0 s) and passing rate (every 2.0 s)
5(e)	5. Pressure	recall and apply the relationship pressure due to a liquid column = height of column × density of the liquid × gravitational field strength to new situations or to solve…	5 / 15	2025	2025 Q11 — height of a liquid column barometer on planet Z (half density, double g)
3(m)	3. Dynamics	describe the motion of bodies with constant mass falling in uniform gravitational field with or without air resistance, including reference to terminal velocity.	4 / 16	2024	2024 Q6 — ball moving faster than its terminal velocity in air: what happens next
6(e)	6. Energy	recall and apply the relationship power = energy transfer / time taken to new situations or to solve related problems	5 / 11	2025	2025 Q27 — discharge time of a laptop battery of three 4.0 V cells, charged 6.0 h at 0.50 A, at 40 W
9(c)	9. Thermal Properties of Matter	recall and apply the relationship energy transfer (by heating) = mass ×specific heat capacity x change in temperature to new situations or to solve related problems	4 / 10	2025	2025 Q18 — greatest mass of water a 240 V, 10 A heater can warm from 30 C to 70 C in 100 s
10(d)	10. General Properties of Waves	recall and apply the relationship speed of wave = frequency ×wavelength to new situations or to solve related problems	4 / 13	2025	2025 Q20 — wavelength of a water wave from crest travel (20 m in 5.0 s) and passing rate (every 2.0 s)
3(g)	3. Dynamics	apply Newton's Laws to:; (i) describe the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on a body; (ii) describe the ways in which a force may change the motion of a body…	3 / 11	2025	2025 Q8 — boat propeller pushes water with 2000 N: forward force on the propeller (Newton third law)
14(c)	14. Current of Electricity	recall and apply the relationship charge = current × time to new situations or to solve related problems	4 / 10	2025	2025 Q27 — discharge time of a laptop battery of three 4.0 V cells, charged 6.0 h at 0.50 A, at 40 W
15(g)	15. D.C. Circuits	recall and apply the relevant relationships, including R = V / I and those for current, potential differences and resistors in series and in parallel circuits, in…	5 / 9	2025	2025 Q29 — current from a 12 V supply through three 10 ohm resistors in a series/parallel arrangement
10(e)	10. General Properties of Waves	compare transverse and longitudinal waves and give suitable examples of each	3 / 7	2025	2025 Q21 — nature of ultraviolet radiation and ultrasound waves (transverse/longitudinal)
6(d)	6. Energy	recall and apply the relationship work done = force ×distance moved in the direction of the force to new situations or to solve related problems	3 / 10	2025	2025 Q6 — work done by a 30 000 N braking force from the area of a train velocity-time graph
1(e)	1. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement	select and explain the use of appropriate measuring instruments to measure or determine physical quantities listed in ‘Summary of key quantities, symbols and units’…	3 / 14	2025	2025 Q1 — instruments to measure distance (tape) and time (stop-watch) for a ball rolling down a slope
6(b)	6. Energy	recall and apply the relationships for kinetic energy (Ek = ½ mv2) and gravitational potential energy near the Earth's surface (Ep = m g h) to new situations or to solve…	4 / 12	2025	2025 Q14 — ratio of kinetic energies of car P (4m, half speed) and car Q
1(g)	1. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement	add two vectors to determine a resultant by a graphical method.	4 / 9	2025	2025 Q2 — resultant of 3.0 N and 4.0 N forces at right angles
15(f)	15. D.C. Circuits	recall and apply the formulae for the effective resistance of a number of resistors in series and in parallel to new situations or to solve related problems	2 / 10	2025	2025 Q29 — current from a 12 V supply through three 10 ohm resistors in a series/parallel arrangement
12(f)	12. Light	explain the terms critical angle and total internal reflection	4 / 8	2025	2025 Q24 — ray in a semicircular glass block hitting the top surface below the critical angle

Asked before, then went quiet

Outcomes asked at least three times in this paper but absent from the last four of its 14 sittings. Examiners rotate their coverage, so these are worth a revisit — but a long gap is a prompt to revise, not a promise it is due.

LO	Topic	Learning outcome	Asked	Last seen
18(a)	18. Electromagnetism	draw the pattern of the magnetic field due to currents in straight wires and in solenoids and state the effect on the magnetic field of changing the magnitude and/or…	11×	2019 (4 sittings ago)
15(i)	15. D.C. Circuits	describe the action of negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors and light-dependent resistors and explain their use as input transducers in potential dividers	7×	2017 (6 sittings ago)
10(g)	10. General Properties of Waves	describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves in terms of the processes of compression and rarefaction	5×	2017 (6 sittings ago)
12(h)	12. Light	describe the action of a thin converging lens on a beam of light	3×	2015 (8 sittings ago)
19(f)	19. Electromagnetic Induction	describe the energy loss in cables and deduce the advantages of high voltage transmission.	6×	2019 (4 sittings ago)
16(g)	16. Practical Electricity	state the meaning of the terms live, neutral and earth	3×	2016 (7 sittings ago)
2(g)	2. Kinematics	deduce from the shape of a velocity-time graph when a body is:; (i) at rest; (ii) moving with uniform velocity; (iii) moving with uniform acceleration; (iv) moving with…	5×	2019 (4 sittings ago)
7(b)	7. Kinetic Particle Model of Matter	use the kinetic particle model to describe the different states of matter (solids, liquids and gases), relating their physical properties to the arrangement and motion…	4×	2018 (5 sittings ago)
10(a)	10. General Properties of Waves	describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs and by waves in a ripple tank (including use of the term wavefront)	4×	2018 (5 sittings ago)
1(f)	1. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement	state what is meant by scalar and vector quantities and give common examples of each	5×	2019 (4 sittings ago)

Paper 2 · structured · 2027 paper. Forecast of how many marks each topic is worth out of 80: the recency-weighted average over all 16 sittings (half-life 6 years; 6091-syllabus papers ×1.6), counting only content a 2027 candidate can still be asked. Heaviest three: Energy (7.0), Light (6.5), D.C. Circuits (5.9).

#	Topic	2027 forecast (marks)	Recent range	Last 8 sittings ’18’19’20’21’22’24’25’26	Trend	Reliability
1	6. EnergyMechanics	7.0	2.5–14	5101410472.56	▼	moderate
2	12. LightWaves	6.5	3–9	65567397	▬	steady
3	15. D.C. CircuitsElectricity and magnetism	5.9	2–11	975611662	▬	moderate
4	3. DynamicsMechanics	5.6	2.5–9	55774942.5	▬	moderate
5	10. General Properties of WavesWaves	5.0	0–15	2.55471552·	▬	volatile
6	2. KinematicsMechanics	4.9	3–9	36936635	▬	moderate
7	16. Practical ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	4.6	2–8.5	282328.536	▬	moderate
8	9. Thermal Properties of MatterThermal physics	4.6	0–13	1361.581.5·3.58	▼	volatile
9	14. Current of ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	4.5	0–10	6246.5·1.5210	▬	volatile
10	19. Electromagnetic InductionElectricity and magnetism	4.2	0–7.5	5·73.513.57.56	▬	moderate
11	5. PressureMechanics	3.8	0–8	33·48552	▬	moderate
12	18. ElectromagnetismElectricity and magnetism	3.7	0–7	56354.52.5·7	▬	moderate
13	20. RadioactivityRadioactivity	3.6	0–11	··1··10115	▲	volatile
14	13. Static ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	3.0	0–7	4·6·7·7·	▬	volatile
15	4. Turning Effect of ForcesMechanics	2.7	0–8	·5·7··8·	▬	volatile
16	7. Kinetic Particle Model of MatterThermal physics	2.7	0–6	54··623.52.5	▬	volatile
17	11. Electromagnetic SpectrumWaves	2.6	0–6	0.554·2623	▬	moderate
18	1. Physical Quantities, Units and MeasurementMeasurement	2.3	0–7	3·2.541··7	▬	volatile
19	8. Thermal ProcessesThermal physics	1.6	0–5	··5··311	▬	volatile
20	17. MagnetismElectricity and magnetism	1.0	0–3	33···2··	▬	volatile

The outcomes this paper keeps returning to

Learning outcomes ranked by how often (and how recently) they have been asked in Paper 2. These are the outcomes most likely to appear again.

LO	Topic	Learning outcome	Last 5 / all	Last seen	A recent example
14(h)	14. Current of Electricity	apply the relationship R = V / I to new situations or to solve related problems	4 / 24	2026	2026 Q9(b)(iii) — missing load resistance R from the 81% efficiency row (V = 19 V)
16(e)	16. Practical Electricity	explain the use of fuses and circuit breakers in electrical circuits and of fuse ratings	5 / 16	2026	2026 Q8(d) — two advantages of a circuit breaker over a fuse
15(g)	15. D.C. Circuits	recall and apply the relevant relationships, including R = V / I and those for current, potential differences and resistors in series and in parallel circuits, in…	4 / 21	2025	2025 Q6(b)(i) — show LDR resistance is 150 ohm from 14 V supply, 600 ohm resistor, 2.8 V voltmeter
16(b)	16. Practical Electricity	recall and apply the relationships P = VI and E = V It to new situations or to solve related problems	4 / 25	2025	2025 Q8(c) — is an 8.0 A fuse suitable for a 230 V oven with 800 W microwave and 1100 W grill
3(g)	3. Dynamics	apply Newton's Laws to:; (i) describe the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on a body; (ii) describe the ways in which a force may change the motion of a body…	3 / 21	2026	2026 Q10(b)(ii)B — string tension for a 3.0 N cylinder held in the liquid (weight minus upthrust)
10(d)	10. General Properties of Waves	recall and apply the relationship speed of wave = frequency ×wavelength to new situations or to solve related problems	3 / 21	2024	2024 Q5(a) — wavelength of 2.5 GHz Bluetooth waves
9(c)	9. Thermal Properties of Matter	recall and apply the relationship energy transfer (by heating) = mass ×specific heat capacity x change in temperature to new situations or to solve related problems	3 / 18	2026	2026 Q2(d)(ii) — how the ice mass changes if the ice is colder than 0 C
6(b)	6. Energy	recall and apply the relationships for kinetic energy (Ek = ½ mv2) and gravitational potential energy near the Earth's surface (Ep = m g h) to new situations or to solve…	4 / 18	2026	2026 Q3(b)(ii) — gravitational PE lost by 0.016 kg load X falling 1.4 m
12(f)	12. Light	explain the terms critical angle and total internal reflection	3 / 22	2026	2026 Q4(c) — why all light stays in the rod at 45 degrees (beyond the critical angle, total internal reflection)
12(e)	12. Light	define refractive index of a medium in terms of the ratio of speed of light in vacuum and in the medium	3 / 18	2026	2026 Q4(a) — define refractive index (glass rod, n = 1.5)
15(f)	15. D.C. Circuits	recall and apply the formulae for the effective resistance of a number of resistors in series and in parallel to new situations or to solve related problems	5 / 14	2026	2026 Q6(c)(i) — current in 200 ohm and 350 ohm resistors in series with a 12 V battery
6(c)	6. Energy	state the principle of the conservation of energy and apply the principle to new situations or to solve related problems	3 / 18	2026	2026 Q3(b)(iii) — why glider KE differs from load PE lost (load X also gains kinetic energy)
19(d)	19. Electromagnetic Induction	describe the structure and principle of operation of a simple iron-cored transformer as used for voltage transformations	4 / 10	2026	2026 Q9(a)(ii) — why lamp 2 is bright with 50:600 and 600:50 transformers (high voltage, low current in the line)
2(b)	2. Kinematics	calculate average speed = distance travelled /time taken	5 / 12	2026	2026 Q5(c) — car speed from infrared pulse return times of 350 ns and 370 ns, pulses 0.15 s apart
6(f)	6. Energy	calculate the efficiency of an energy transfer using the formula efficiency = useful energy output / total energy input	2 / 16	2025	2025 Q10(d) — energy wasted each minute by a 55% efficient gas-fired power station with 220 MW output
20(h)	20. Radioactivity	use the term half-life in simple calculations, which might involve information in tables or decay curves	2 / 7	2025	2025 Q9(b)(iii)2 — why potassium-argon dating cannot date rocks only a few years old (long half-life, too few decays)

Asked before, then went quiet

Outcomes asked at least three times in this paper but absent from the last four of its 16 sittings. Examiners rotate their coverage, so these are worth a revisit — but a long gap is a prompt to revise, not a promise it is due.

LO	Topic	Learning outcome	Asked	Last seen
10(g)	10. General Properties of Waves	describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves in terms of the processes of compression and rarefaction	7×	2014 (11 sittings ago)
14(j)	14. Current of Electricity	describe the effect of temperature increase on the resistance of a metallic conductor	7×	2018 (7 sittings ago)
10(h)	10. General Properties of Waves	relate loudness of a sound wave to its amplitude and pitch to its frequency	7×	2019 (6 sittings ago)
10(a)	10. General Properties of Waves	describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs and by waves in a ripple tank (including use of the term wavefront)	4×	2015 (10 sittings ago)
13(i)	13. Static Electricity	describe the use of electrostatic charging in an electrostatic precipitator and apply the use of electrostatic charging to new situations.	4×	2012 (13 sittings ago)
15(a)	15. D.C. Circuits	draw circuit diagrams with power sources (cell, battery, d.c. supply or a.c. supply), switches, lamps, resistors (fixed and variable), variable potential divider…	9×	2021 (4 sittings ago)
16(c)	16. Practical Electricity	calculate the cost of using electrical appliances where the energy unit is the kW h	9×	2021 (4 sittings ago)
17(e)	17. Magnetism	draw the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet and between the poles of two bar magnets.	5×	2018 (7 sittings ago)
6(a)	6. Energy	show an understanding that there are energy stores, e.g. kinetic, potential (gravitational, chemical, elastic), nuclear and internal, and that energy can be transferred…	8×	2021 (4 sittings ago)
8(a)	8. Thermal Processes	show an understanding that energy is transferred (by heating) from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature until thermal equilibrium is achieved…	4×	2017 (8 sittings ago)

What this is — and is not

A frequency model

The forecast says where the marks have been, weighted towards recent papers and the 6091 syllabus. It cannot see the next paper; treat it as a way to decide where to spend revision time, not as a leak.

Paper 1 and the structured paper differ

A topic can be a certainty in multiple choice and absent from long answers, or the reverse. That is why each paper is forecast on its own rather than blended.

Thin new-syllabus evidence

Only a few sittings exist under the 6091 syllabus (first examined 2018), so the boost for those papers matters but cannot be proven. Re-run this report when more 6091 papers are available.

Printable priority order. Work top-down: topics are sorted by their forecast share of the 120 marks across Paper 1 and Paper 2 at their next sittings (Paper 1 2026, Paper 2 2027) (see the 2027 prediction tab for each paper on its own), and within each topic the cold outcomes are the ones most likely to catch you out.

1. Energy — about 10 of 120 marks · ≈2.7 P1 questions + ≈7.0 P2 marks

Mechanics · 7 of 7 outcomes ever tested

2. Dynamics — about 10 of 120 marks · ≈4.1 P1 questions + ≈5.6 P2 marks

Mechanics · 13 of 13 outcomes ever tested

Do not skip:

3(b) state that mass is a measure of the amount of matter in a body (last seen 2020 — 6 years cold)

3. Light — about 9 of 120 marks · ≈2.6 P1 questions + ≈6.5 P2 marks

Waves · 11 of 11 outcomes ever tested

4. General Properties of Waves — about 8 of 120 marks · ≈3.2 P1 questions + ≈5.0 P2 marks

Waves · 10 of 10 outcomes ever tested

5. D.C. Circuits — about 8 of 120 marks · ≈2.2 P1 questions + ≈5.9 P2 marks

Electricity and magnetism · 10 of 10 outcomes ever tested

Do not skip:

15(a) draw circuit diagrams with power sources (cell, battery, d.c. supply or a.c. supply), switches, lamps, resistors (fixed and variable), variable… (last seen 2021 — 5 years cold)

6. Thermal Properties of Matter — about 7 of 120 marks · ≈2.7 P1 questions + ≈4.6 P2 marks

Thermal physics · 9 of 9 outcomes ever tested

7. Current of Electricity — about 7 of 120 marks · ≈2.5 P1 questions + ≈4.5 P2 marks

Electricity and magnetism · 11 of 11 outcomes ever tested

8. Pressure — about 7 of 120 marks · ≈2.7 P1 questions + ≈3.8 P2 marks

Mechanics · 7 of 7 outcomes ever tested

9. Electromagnetic Induction — about 6 of 120 marks · ≈2.0 P1 questions + ≈4.2 P2 marks

Electricity and magnetism · 6 of 6 outcomes ever tested

10. Kinematics — about 6 of 120 marks · ≈1.2 P1 questions + ≈4.9 P2 marks

Mechanics · 9 of 9 outcomes ever tested

11. Practical Electricity — about 6 of 120 marks · ≈1.5 P1 questions + ≈4.6 P2 marks

Electricity and magnetism · 9 of 9 outcomes ever tested

Do not skip:

16(h) describe the wiring in a mains plug (last seen 2019 — 7 years cold)
16(a) describe the use of the heating effect of electricity in appliances such as electric kettles, ovens and heaters (last seen 2020 — 6 years cold)

12. Electromagnetism — about 5 of 120 marks · ≈1.3 P1 questions + ≈3.7 P2 marks

Electricity and magnetism · 6 of 6 outcomes ever tested

Do not skip:

18(f) describe the action of a split-ring commutator in a two-pole, single-coil motor and the effect of winding the coil on to a soft-iron cylinder. (last seen 2017 — 9 years cold)

13. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement — about 5 of 120 marks · ≈2.5 P1 questions + ≈2.3 P2 marks

Measurement · 7 of 7 outcomes ever tested

Do not skip:

1(a) show an understanding that physical quantities typically consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit (last seen 2019 — 7 years cold)

14. Static Electricity — about 5 of 120 marks · ≈1.6 P1 questions + ≈3.0 P2 marks

Electricity and magnetism · 9 of 9 outcomes ever tested

Do not skip:

13(h) describe examples where electrostatic charging may be a potential hazard (last seen 2020 — 6 years cold)
13(a) state that there are positive and negative charges and that charge is measured in coulombs (only 2 appearances ever)
13(e) draw the electric field pattern between two isolated point charges (only 2 appearances ever)

15. Radioactivity — about 5 of 120 marks · ≈0.9 P1 questions + ≈3.6 P2 marks

Radioactivity · 10 of 10 outcomes ever tested

Do not skip:

20(i) discuss the applications (e.g. medical and industrial uses) and hazards of radioactivity based on:; (i) half-life of radioactive materials,; (ii)… (last seen 2020 — 6 years cold)
20(c) use and interpret the term nuclide and use the nuclide notation A ZX (only 1 appearance ever)
20(d) show an understanding that nuclear decay is a random and spontaneous process whereby an unstable nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation (only 1 appearance ever)
20(g) show an understanding of background radiation (only 2 appearances ever)

16. Kinetic Particle Model of Matter — about 4 of 120 marks · ≈1.3 P1 questions + ≈2.7 P2 marks

Thermal physics · 5 of 5 outcomes ever tested

17. Turning Effect of Forces — about 4 of 120 marks · ≈1.2 P1 questions + ≈2.7 P2 marks

Mechanics · 6 of 6 outcomes ever tested

Do not skip:

4(a) describe the moment of a force about a pivot in terms of its turning effect and relate this to everyday examples (only 2 appearances ever)

18. Electromagnetic Spectrum — about 4 of 120 marks · ≈1.2 P1 questions + ≈2.6 P2 marks

Waves · 4 of 4 outcomes ever tested

19. Thermal Processes — about 3 of 120 marks · ≈1.7 P1 questions + ≈1.6 P2 marks

Thermal physics · 5 of 5 outcomes ever tested

20. Magnetism — about 2 of 120 marks · ≈0.9 P1 questions + ≈1.0 P2 marks

Electricity and magnetism · 5 of 5 outcomes ever tested

#	Topic	2026 forecast (questions)	Recent range	Last 8 sittings ’16’17’18’19’20’23’24’25	Trend	Reliability
1	3. DynamicsMechanics	4.1	3–5	34545344	▬	steady
2	10. General Properties of WavesWaves	3.2	2–6	35625322	▼	moderate
3	5. PressureMechanics	2.7	2–4	42233332	▬	steady
4	9. Thermal Properties of MatterThermal physics	2.7	0–4	22·33424	▲	moderate
5	6. EnergyMechanics	2.7	2–4	34233323	▬	steady
6	12. LightWaves	2.6	1–4	22242341	▬	moderate
7	1. Physical Quantities, Units and MeasurementMeasurement	2.5	2–4	23343222	▬	steady
8	14. Current of ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	2.5	1–4	13343332	▬	steady
9	15. D.C. CircuitsElectricity and magnetism	2.2	1–3	21212223	▬	steady
10	19. Electromagnetic InductionElectricity and magnetism	2.0	1–4	24342111	▼	moderate
11	8. Thermal ProcessesThermal physics	1.7	1–3	22211321	▬	moderate
12	13. Static ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	1.6	1–3	12121321	▬	moderate
13	16. Practical ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	1.5	0–3	3·112121	▬	moderate
14	18. ElectromagnetismElectricity and magnetism	1.3	0–2	21211·12	▬	moderate
15	7. Kinetic Particle Model of MatterThermal physics	1.3	1–3	31221111	▼	moderate
16	2. KinematicsMechanics	1.2	0–2	1121·211	▬	moderate
17	11. Electromagnetic SpectrumWaves	1.2	0–3	11···132	▲	volatile
18	4. Turning Effect of ForcesMechanics	1.2	0–2	1·2·1211	▬	volatile
19	20. RadioactivityRadioactivity	0.9	0–5	·······5	▲	volatile
20	17. MagnetismElectricity and magnetism	0.9	0–2	1···2·21	▬	volatile

The outcomes this paper keeps returning to

Learning outcomes ranked by how often (and how recently) they have been asked in Paper 1. These are the outcomes most likely to appear again.

LO	Topic	Learning outcome	Last 5 / all	Last seen	A recent example
10(c)	10. General Properties of Waves	define and use the terms speed, frequency, wavelength, period and amplitude, including graphical representation	5 / 21	2025	2025 Q20 — wavelength of a water wave from crest travel (20 m in 5.0 s) and passing rate (every 2.0 s)
5(e)	5. Pressure	recall and apply the relationship pressure due to a liquid column = height of column × density of the liquid × gravitational field strength to new situations or to solve…	5 / 15	2025	2025 Q11 — height of a liquid column barometer on planet Z (half density, double g)
3(m)	3. Dynamics	describe the motion of bodies with constant mass falling in uniform gravitational field with or without air resistance, including reference to terminal velocity.	4 / 16	2024	2024 Q6 — ball moving faster than its terminal velocity in air: what happens next
6(e)	6. Energy	recall and apply the relationship power = energy transfer / time taken to new situations or to solve related problems	5 / 11	2025	2025 Q27 — discharge time of a laptop battery of three 4.0 V cells, charged 6.0 h at 0.50 A, at 40 W
9(c)	9. Thermal Properties of Matter	recall and apply the relationship energy transfer (by heating) = mass ×specific heat capacity x change in temperature to new situations or to solve related problems	4 / 10	2025	2025 Q18 — greatest mass of water a 240 V, 10 A heater can warm from 30 C to 70 C in 100 s
10(d)	10. General Properties of Waves	recall and apply the relationship speed of wave = frequency ×wavelength to new situations or to solve related problems	4 / 13	2025	2025 Q20 — wavelength of a water wave from crest travel (20 m in 5.0 s) and passing rate (every 2.0 s)
3(g)	3. Dynamics	apply Newton's Laws to:; (i) describe the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on a body; (ii) describe the ways in which a force may change the motion of a body…	3 / 11	2025	2025 Q8 — boat propeller pushes water with 2000 N: forward force on the propeller (Newton third law)
14(c)	14. Current of Electricity	recall and apply the relationship charge = current × time to new situations or to solve related problems	4 / 10	2025	2025 Q27 — discharge time of a laptop battery of three 4.0 V cells, charged 6.0 h at 0.50 A, at 40 W
15(g)	15. D.C. Circuits	recall and apply the relevant relationships, including R = V / I and those for current, potential differences and resistors in series and in parallel circuits, in…	5 / 9	2025	2025 Q29 — current from a 12 V supply through three 10 ohm resistors in a series/parallel arrangement
10(e)	10. General Properties of Waves	compare transverse and longitudinal waves and give suitable examples of each	3 / 7	2025	2025 Q21 — nature of ultraviolet radiation and ultrasound waves (transverse/longitudinal)
6(d)	6. Energy	recall and apply the relationship work done = force ×distance moved in the direction of the force to new situations or to solve related problems	3 / 10	2025	2025 Q6 — work done by a 30 000 N braking force from the area of a train velocity-time graph
1(e)	1. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement	select and explain the use of appropriate measuring instruments to measure or determine physical quantities listed in ‘Summary of key quantities, symbols and units’…	3 / 14	2025	2025 Q1 — instruments to measure distance (tape) and time (stop-watch) for a ball rolling down a slope
6(b)	6. Energy	recall and apply the relationships for kinetic energy (Ek = ½ mv2) and gravitational potential energy near the Earth's surface (Ep = m g h) to new situations or to solve…	4 / 12	2025	2025 Q14 — ratio of kinetic energies of car P (4m, half speed) and car Q
1(g)	1. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement	add two vectors to determine a resultant by a graphical method.	4 / 9	2025	2025 Q2 — resultant of 3.0 N and 4.0 N forces at right angles
15(f)	15. D.C. Circuits	recall and apply the formulae for the effective resistance of a number of resistors in series and in parallel to new situations or to solve related problems	2 / 10	2025	2025 Q29 — current from a 12 V supply through three 10 ohm resistors in a series/parallel arrangement
12(f)	12. Light	explain the terms critical angle and total internal reflection	4 / 8	2025	2025 Q24 — ray in a semicircular glass block hitting the top surface below the critical angle

Asked before, then went quiet

LO	Topic	Learning outcome	Asked	Last seen
18(a)	18. Electromagnetism	draw the pattern of the magnetic field due to currents in straight wires and in solenoids and state the effect on the magnetic field of changing the magnitude and/or…	11×	2019 (4 sittings ago)
15(i)	15. D.C. Circuits	describe the action of negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors and light-dependent resistors and explain their use as input transducers in potential dividers	7×	2017 (6 sittings ago)
10(g)	10. General Properties of Waves	describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves in terms of the processes of compression and rarefaction	5×	2017 (6 sittings ago)
12(h)	12. Light	describe the action of a thin converging lens on a beam of light	3×	2015 (8 sittings ago)
19(f)	19. Electromagnetic Induction	describe the energy loss in cables and deduce the advantages of high voltage transmission.	6×	2019 (4 sittings ago)
16(g)	16. Practical Electricity	state the meaning of the terms live, neutral and earth	3×	2016 (7 sittings ago)
2(g)	2. Kinematics	deduce from the shape of a velocity-time graph when a body is:; (i) at rest; (ii) moving with uniform velocity; (iii) moving with uniform acceleration; (iv) moving with…	5×	2019 (4 sittings ago)
7(b)	7. Kinetic Particle Model of Matter	use the kinetic particle model to describe the different states of matter (solids, liquids and gases), relating their physical properties to the arrangement and motion…	4×	2018 (5 sittings ago)
10(a)	10. General Properties of Waves	describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs and by waves in a ripple tank (including use of the term wavefront)	4×	2018 (5 sittings ago)
1(f)	1. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement	state what is meant by scalar and vector quantities and give common examples of each	5×	2019 (4 sittings ago)

Paper 2 · structured · 2026 paper. Forecast of how many marks each topic is worth out of 80: the recency-weighted average over all 15 sittings (half-life 6 years; 6091-syllabus papers ×1.6), counting only content a 2026 candidate can still be asked. Heaviest three: Energy (7.1), D.C. Circuits (6.7), Light (6.4).

#	Topic	2026 forecast (marks)	Recent range	Last 8 sittings ’17’18’19’20’21’22’24’25	Trend	Reliability
1	6. EnergyMechanics	7.1	2.5–14	65101410472.5	▬	moderate
2	15. D.C. CircuitsElectricity and magnetism	6.7	2–11	297561166	▬	moderate
3	12. LightWaves	6.4	3–9	96556739	▬	steady
4	3. DynamicsMechanics	6.2	4–9	95577494	▬	steady
5	10. General Properties of WavesWaves	5.9	2–15	62.55471552	▬	moderate
6	2. KinematicsMechanics	4.9	3–9	33693663	▬	moderate
7	16. Practical ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	4.4	2–8.5	7282328.53	▬	moderate
8	5. PressureMechanics	4.2	0–8	533·4855	▬	moderate
9	9. Thermal Properties of MatterThermal physics	4.0	0–13	1.51361.581.5·3.5	▼	volatile
10	19. Electromagnetic InductionElectricity and magnetism	3.9	0–7.5	45·73.513.57.5	▬	moderate
11	13. Static ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	3.6	0–7	·4·6·7·7	▬	volatile
12	14. Current of ElectricityElectricity and magnetism	3.4	0–6.5	26246.5·1.52	▬	volatile
13	20. RadioactivityRadioactivity	3.4	0–11	···1··1011	▲	volatile
14	4. Turning Effect of ForcesMechanics	3.3	0–8	6·5·7··8	▬	volatile
15	18. ElectromagnetismElectricity and magnetism	3.1	0–6	556354.52.5·	▼	moderate
16	7. Kinetic Particle Model of MatterThermal physics	2.8	0–6	154··623.5	▬	volatile
17	11. Electromagnetic SpectrumWaves	2.5	0–6	10.554·262	▬	volatile
18	8. Thermal ProcessesThermal physics	1.7	0–5	2.5··5··31	▬	volatile
19	1. Physical Quantities, Units and MeasurementMeasurement	1.4	0–7	73·2.541··	▼	volatile
20	17. MagnetismElectricity and magnetism	1.1	0–3	333···2·	▬	volatile

The outcomes this paper keeps returning to

Learning outcomes ranked by how often (and how recently) they have been asked in Paper 2. These are the outcomes most likely to appear again.

LO	Topic	Learning outcome	Last 5 / all	Last seen	A recent example
15(g)	15. D.C. Circuits	recall and apply the relevant relationships, including R = V / I and those for current, potential differences and resistors in series and in parallel circuits, in…	5 / 21	2025	2025 Q6(b)(i) — show LDR resistance is 150 ohm from 14 V supply, 600 ohm resistor, 2.8 V voltmeter
16(b)	16. Practical Electricity	recall and apply the relationships P = VI and E = V It to new situations or to solve related problems	5 / 25	2025	2025 Q8(c) — is an 8.0 A fuse suitable for a 230 V oven with 800 W microwave and 1100 W grill
10(d)	10. General Properties of Waves	recall and apply the relationship speed of wave = frequency ×wavelength to new situations or to solve related problems	4 / 21	2024	2024 Q5(a) — wavelength of 2.5 GHz Bluetooth waves
16(e)	16. Practical Electricity	explain the use of fuses and circuit breakers in electrical circuits and of fuse ratings	5 / 14	2025	2025 Q8(c) — is an 8.0 A fuse suitable for a 230 V oven with 800 W microwave and 1100 W grill
3(g)	3. Dynamics	apply Newton's Laws to:; (i) describe the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on a body; (ii) describe the ways in which a force may change the motion of a body…	3 / 19	2024	2024 Q2(b)(i) — reaction partner of the 5000 N driving force on a car
12(f)	12. Light	explain the terms critical angle and total internal reflection	3 / 21	2025	2025 Q8(b)(i) — why infrared stays inside an optical fibre (total internal reflection)
6(f)	6. Energy	calculate the efficiency of an energy transfer using the formula efficiency = useful energy output / total energy input	3 / 16	2025	2025 Q10(d) — energy wasted each minute by a 55% efficient gas-fired power station with 220 MW output
20(h)	20. Radioactivity	use the term half-life in simple calculations, which might involve information in tables or decay curves	2 / 7	2025	2025 Q9(b)(iii)2 — why potassium-argon dating cannot date rocks only a few years old (long half-life, too few decays)
14(h)	14. Current of Electricity	apply the relationship R = V / I to new situations or to solve related problems	4 / 20	2024	2024 Q8(c)(i) — energy transferred to a 0.015 ohm fuse wire at 30 A before melting
14(k)	14. Current of Electricity	sketch and interpret the I-V characteristic graphs for a metallic conductor at constant temperature (ohmic conductor), for a filament lamp and for a semiconductor diode.	2 / 17	2024	2024 Q10(d)(ii) — use of the diode I-V graph to explain d.c. through resistor R
10(c)	10. General Properties of Waves	define and use the terms speed, frequency, wavelength, period and amplitude, including graphical representation	4 / 23	2025	2025 Q7(c)(ii) — frequency of the alternating output voltage from the graph (period 4 ms)
9(c)	9. Thermal Properties of Matter	recall and apply the relationship energy transfer (by heating) = mass ×specific heat capacity x change in temperature to new situations or to solve related problems	3 / 16	2025	2025 Q11(d) — specific latent heat of vaporisation from 87 000 J, 120 cm3 liquid at 48 C, boiling point 78 C
12(e)	12. Light	define refractive index of a medium in terms of the ratio of speed of light in vacuum and in the medium	3 / 17	2025	2025 Q8(b)(ii) — time for infrared to travel 3600 km in a fibre of refractive index 1.5
19(a)	19. Electromagnetic Induction	deduce from Faraday’s experiments on electromagnetic induction or other appropriate experiments:; (i) that a changing magnetic field can induce an e.m.f. in a circuit…	3 / 17	2025	2025 Q7(c)(iii) — two generator changes turning output curve A into B (lower voltage, higher frequency)
15(f)	15. D.C. Circuits	recall and apply the formulae for the effective resistance of a number of resistors in series and in parallel to new situations or to solve related problems	4 / 13	2025	2025 Q6(c)(i) — combined resistance of a 50 ohm filament lamp in parallel with a 150 ohm LDR
6(b)	6. Energy	recall and apply the relationships for kinetic energy (Ek = ½ mv2) and gravitational potential energy near the Earth's surface (Ep = m g h) to new situations or to solve…	4 / 16	2024	2024 Q4(a)(ii) — kinetic energy of the 160 kg boat and sailor (speed from 210 m in 150 s)

Asked before, then went quiet

Outcomes asked at least three times in this paper but absent from the last four of its 15 sittings. Examiners rotate their coverage, so these are worth a revisit — but a long gap is a prompt to revise, not a promise it is due.

LO	Topic	Learning outcome	Asked	Last seen
10(g)	10. General Properties of Waves	describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves in terms of the processes of compression and rarefaction	7×	2014 (10 sittings ago)
14(j)	14. Current of Electricity	describe the effect of temperature increase on the resistance of a metallic conductor	7×	2018 (6 sittings ago)
13(i)	13. Static Electricity	describe the use of electrostatic charging in an electrostatic precipitator and apply the use of electrostatic charging to new situations.	4×	2012 (12 sittings ago)
10(a)	10. General Properties of Waves	describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs and by waves in a ripple tank (including use of the term wavefront)	4×	2015 (9 sittings ago)
10(h)	10. General Properties of Waves	relate loudness of a sound wave to its amplitude and pitch to its frequency	7×	2019 (5 sittings ago)
16(i)	16. Practical Electricity	explain why switches, fuses, and circuit breakers are fitted to the live wire.	3×	2012 (12 sittings ago)
17(e)	17. Magnetism	draw the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet and between the poles of two bar magnets.	5×	2018 (6 sittings ago)
8(c)	8. Thermal Processes	describe, in terms of density changes, how convection occurs in fluids	7×	2020 (4 sittings ago)
16(f)	16. Practical Electricity	explain the need for earthing metal casings and for double insulation	4×	2017 (7 sittings ago)
8(a)	8. Thermal Processes	show an understanding that energy is transferred (by heating) from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature until thermal equilibrium is achieved…	4×	2017 (7 sittings ago)

What this is — and is not

A frequency model

Paper 1 and the structured paper differ

A topic can be a certainty in multiple choice and absent from long answers, or the reverse. That is why each paper is forecast on its own rather than blended.

Thin new-syllabus evidence

Only a few sittings exist under the 6091 syllabus (first examined 2018), so the boost for those papers matters but cannot be proven. Re-run this report when more 6091 papers are available.

General sentiments: the 2026 Paper 2

Paper6091/02Oct/Nov 2026

Total marks80as sat

Section A70 marksQ1–9 · compulsory

Section B10 marksanswer 1 of Q10 (10) / Q11 (10)

Questions119 compulsory + 2 Section B options

Sub-parts51marked parts, counting both Section B options

Marks by level of thinking (as sat)

Recall 24.5 (31%)Knowledge & understanding 25 (31%)Handling information 30.5 (38%)

Previous 8 sittings (2017–2025): Recall 19% · Knowledge & understanding 40% · Handling information 42%

Marks by question style (as sat)

calculation 28.5recall 24.5extended-explanation 23apply 2data-interpretation 2

A short, accessible-looking paper that rewards secure recall and clean method more than long reasoning. Section A has nine compulsory questions of 6 to 10 marks each, with no graph-plotting or long data-analysis question, and the calculations (kinetic energy, charge, series circuit, density, efficiency) are short and standard. Roughly a third of the marks can be earned by stating or defining something: scalar and vector, specific heat capacity, internal energy, uniform acceleration, refractive index, e.m.f., the nature of alpha, beta and gamma, and 'spontaneous'. Candidates who had learned the syllabus definitions closely had an easy first half.

The demanding marks are scattered inside otherwise familiar contexts. 2(d)(i) needs the water's cooling energy equated to the latent heat of the ice, 4(b)(ii) asks for a geometric path length through a glass rod using a 10% reflection rule, 5(c) is a time-of-flight speed gun that depends on spotting that only the 20 ns difference matters, and 7(b) and 7(c) require Fleming's left-hand rule applied to a three-dimensional magnet drawing, then reversed for electrons. These are application questions that a candidate who only memorised notes would lose.

Coverage is broad: measurement, thermal physics, energy, dynamics, light, the EM spectrum, circuits, electromagnetism, transformers, mains safety, the particle model, pressure and radioactivity all appear. Nothing from kinematics graphs, moments, ripple-tank waves, lenses, static electricity or thermistors/LDRs is tested. Contexts are everyday (ice in a glass, hair dryer, speed gun, rechargeable battery), so there is little unfamiliar vocabulary.

Data handling is limited to Table 9.1 (transformer efficiency) and the pressure-depth graph in Q10. Q9(b) is the most unusual: candidates must use efficiency with the input and output values to recover missing table entries, rather than quote the ideal transformer formula.

Difficulty

About the same as 2024-2025, and slightly easier on Section B: Section A has a comparable calculation load but a larger share of one-line definitions and no long multi-part graph or experiment question.

Section B

Question 10 combined the particle model of gas and liquid, a pressure-against-depth graph (density from the gradient) and a tension calculation using pressure times area, so it needed three different skills and a two-step calculation chain. Question 11 was almost entirely recall (alpha, beta and gamma table, fission, fusion, isotopes, beta emission from a proton-nucleon grid, 'spontaneous') with the only reasoning in reading the decay diagram. Question 11 was the kinder choice for a well-revised candidate; Question 10 suited candidates strong on pressure and calculation.

The mix of question forms

Mostly short calculations and one-line definitions, with a few extended explanations (convection, Newton's laws, transformer losses, deflection), two graph or table items (pressure-depth graph, Table 9.1), one construct-on-the-diagram item (vector addition) and one gap-fill table; there is no experimental design or plotting question.

Notable questions

Q1(a)(ii)Tick table mixing vector/scalar with base-quantity status for mass, weight, energy and work; mass is a scalar and a base quantity, weight a vector, and candidates easily slip on one of the three columns.
Q2(d)(i)Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat in the same calculation: the water's cooling energy (0.20 kg x 4200 x 20) equals the latent heat absorbed by the ice. A standard idea, but the 'smallest mass at 0 C' wording needs the right set-up for 3 marks.
Q4(b)(ii)Novel: 10% retained at each reflection, so the 0.10% condition identifies which reflection it is, then a horizontal distance from the rod diameter and the internal angle. Combines counting reflections with trigonometry; likely a mark-loser.
Q4(c)Total internal reflection at 45 degrees (beyond the critical angle for n = 1.5). Classic, but candidates must say that 45 degrees exceeds the critical angle and that no light is refracted out.
Q5(c)Speed-gun time of flight with pulses 0.15 s apart and delays of 350 ns and 370 ns: the 20 ns change gives a distance change of c x 20 ns / 2. The halving for the round trip is the main trap.
Q7(b)Direction of deflection of protons from a perspective drawing of a C-shaped electromagnet with X as N and Y as S. Needs the field direction between the poles, then the left-hand rule; hard to visualise on the page.
Q9(a)(ii)Step-up then step-down transformer (50:600, 600:50) with a thin transmission line; the explanation must link high voltage to low current and low heating loss in the line, not just say 'voltage is increased'.
Q9(b)(ii)Efficiency table with a blank output current: needs efficiency = output power / input power. Candidates who use ideal-transformer ratios go wrong. A less common use of the efficiency idea.
Q10(b)(ii)Cylinder held by a string: force on the base from the pressure at 0.20 m times area, then weight minus that upward force for the tension. Part (A) feeds part (B), and the 1-mark second step depends on seeing the net upward liquid force.
Q11(c)(ii)Reading alpha and beta decays off a proton-nucleon diagram: Q to R and R to S (proton number rises by 1 at constant nucleon number) are beta decays. An unusual diagram form for this outcome.

Where marks were lost

1(a)(ii): ticking weight as a scalar, or leaving 'work' out of the scalar column; mass is a base quantity, weight is not.
1(a)(i) and 6(a): definitions without the key idea (magnitude only versus magnitude and direction; e.m.f. as work done per unit charge by the source, not just 'voltage').
2(b) and 2(c): specific heat capacity without 'per unit mass per unit temperature change'; internal energy without both kinetic and potential components of the particles.
2(d)(i): forgetting the latent heat of fusion and using only m c (change in T), or mixing up which body gains and which loses energy.
3(b)(iii): not seeing that the load's lost potential energy is shared between the glider and load X, which both gain kinetic energy.
4(b)(ii): miscounting reflections (treating 0.10% as one step instead of three factors of 10%) and using the wrong angle or the rod diameter incorrectly in the horizontal distance.
5(c): using 350 ns or 370 ns alone, or forgetting that the pulse travels there and back.
6(c)(iii): re-using 12 V and 5.0 h instead of dividing the stored charge by the circuit current, and forgetting to convert hours to seconds.
7(b) and 7(c): wrong sign of force on protons or electrons, and not stating that electrons are negative (opposite direction) and lighter (larger deflection).
9(b)(ii) and (iii): applying Vs Is = Vp Ip as if the transformer were ideal rather than using the efficiency to find the output power.

Topical heat map of the 2026 Paper 2

Marks on each topic in the 2026 Paper 2 as a candidate sat it (Section A in full and each Section B option counted ×1/2, since a candidate answers 1 of 2), beside the average of the previous 8 sittings (2017–2025) and the forecast published on this site before the exam. Darker = heavier. Δ = paper minus forecast: blue the paper gave the topic more marks than forecast, orange fewer.

Topic	2026 paper	Prev 8 avg	Forecast	Δ vs forecast
1. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement	7	2.2	1.4	+5.6
2. Kinematics	5	4.9	4.9	+0.1
3. Dynamics	2.5	6.2	6.2	-3.7
4. Turning Effect of Forces	·	3.2	3.3	-3.3
5. Pressure	2	4.1	4.2	-2.2
6. Energy	6	7.3	7.1	-1.1
7. Kinetic Particle Model of Matter	2.5	2.7	2.8	-0.3
8. Thermal Processes	1	1.4	1.7	-0.7
9. Thermal Properties of Matter	8	4.4	4.0	+4.0
10. General Properties of Waves	·	5.8	5.9	-5.9
11. Electromagnetic Spectrum	3	2.6	2.5	+0.5
12. Light	7	6.2	6.4	+0.6
13. Static Electricity	·	3.0	3.6	-3.6
14. Current of Electricity	10	3.0	3.4	+6.6
15. D.C. Circuits	2	6.5	6.7	-4.7
16. Practical Electricity	6	4.4	4.4	+1.6
17. Magnetism	·	1.4	1.1	-1.1
18. Electromagnetism	7	3.9	3.1	+3.9
19. Electromagnetic Induction	6	3.9	3.9	+2.1
20. Radioactivity	5	2.8	3.4	+1.6
Total	80	80.0	80.0

What the 2026 Paper 2 tested, outcome by outcome

Every learning outcome a marked part of the paper was tagged to, grouped by topic. The marks beside an outcome are the printed marks of the parts that test it (a part tagged to two outcomes counts for both); dashed question chips are Section B options, which not every candidate answered.

1. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement · 7 marks as sat · 3 outcomes

1(b) recall the following base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m), time (s), current (A), temperature (K), amount of substance (mol) 4mQ1(a)(ii) Q1(a)(iii)
1(f) state what is meant by scalar and vector quantities and give common examples of each 4mQ1(a)(i) Q1(a)(ii)
1(g) add two vectors to determine a resultant by a graphical method. 2mQ1(b)

2. Kinematics · 5 marks as sat · 2 outcomes

2(b) calculate average speed = distance travelled /time taken 3mQ5(c)
2(c) state what is meant by uniform acceleration and calculate the value of acceleration using change in velocity /time taken 5mQ3(a) Q3(b)(i)

3. Dynamics · 2.5 marks as sat · 2 outcomes

3(g) apply Newton's Laws to:; (i) describe the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on a body; (ii) describe the ways in which a force may change the… 3mQ3(c) Q10(b)(ii)B
3(h) identify forces acting on a body and draw free body diagram(s) representing the forces acting on the body (for cases involving forces acting in at… 1mQ10(b)(ii)B

5. Pressure · 2 marks as sat · 3 outcomes

5(b) recall and apply the relationship pressure = force / area to new situations or to solve related problems 2mQ10(b)(ii)A
5(d) recall and apply the relationship density = mass / volume to new situations or to solve related problems 2mQ10(b)(i)
5(e) recall and apply the relationship pressure due to a liquid column = height of column × density of the liquid × gravitational field strength to new… 4mQ10(b)(i) Q10(b)(ii)A

6. Energy · 6 marks as sat · 2 outcomes

6(b) recall and apply the relationships for kinetic energy (Ek = ½ mv2) and gravitational potential energy near the Earth's surface (Ep = m g h) to new… 5mQ3(b)(i) Q3(b)(ii)
6(c) state the principle of the conservation of energy and apply the principle to new situations or to solve related problems 1mQ3(b)(iii)

7. Kinetic Particle Model of Matter · 2.5 marks as sat · 2 outcomes

7(a) compare the physical properties of solids, liquids and gases 3mQ10(a)(i) Q10(a)(iii)
7(b) use the kinetic particle model to describe the different states of matter (solids, liquids and gases), relating their physical properties to the… 4mQ10(a)(ii) Q10(a)(iii)

8. Thermal Processes · 1 mark as sat · 1 outcome

8(c) describe, in terms of density changes, how convection occurs in fluids 1mQ2(a)

9. Thermal Properties of Matter · 8 marks as sat · 4 outcomes

9(a) describe internal energy as an energy store that is made up of the total kinetic energy associated with the random motion of the particles and the… 2mQ2(c)
9(b) define heat capacity and specific heat capacity 2mQ2(b)
9(c) recall and apply the relationship energy transfer (by heating) = mass ×specific heat capacity x change in temperature to new situations or to solve… 4mQ2(d)(i) Q2(d)(ii)
9(g) recall and apply the relationship energy transfer (by heating for a change of state) = mass ×specific latent heat to new situations or to solve… 3mQ2(d)(i)

11. Electromagnetic Spectrum · 3 marks as sat · 3 outcomes

11(a) state that all electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that travel with the same speed in vacuum 5mQ5(b) Q5(c)
11(b) describe the main regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of wavelength and frequency 2mQ5(b)
11(c) state examples of typical uses of the following regions of the electromagnetic spectrum:; (i) radio waves (e.g. radio and television communication… 1mQ5(a)

12. Light · 7 marks as sat · 5 outcomes

12(a) recall and use the terms normal, angle of incidence and angle of reflection to describe the reflection of light 2mQ4(b)(ii)
12(b) state that, for reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection and use this principle in constructions, measurements and… 2mQ4(b)(ii)
12(d) recall and apply the relationship sin i / sin r = constant to new situations or to solve related problems 2mQ4(b)(i)
12(e) define refractive index of a medium in terms of the ratio of speed of light in vacuum and in the medium 1mQ4(a)
12(f) explain the terms critical angle and total internal reflection 2mQ4(c)

14. Current of Electricity · 10 marks as sat · 4 outcomes

14(c) recall and apply the relationship charge = current × time to new situations or to solve related problems 4mQ6(b) Q6(c)(iii)
14(d) state that the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of a source is the work done per unit charge by the source in driving charges around a complete circuit… 1mQ6(a)
14(h) apply the relationship R = V / I to new situations or to solve related problems 6mQ6(c)(i) Q6(c)(ii) Q9(b)(i) Q9(b)(iii)
14(i) recall and apply the relationship of the proportionality between resistance and the length and crosssectional area of a wire to new situations or to… 2mQ9(b)(iv)

15. D.C. Circuits · 2 marks as sat · 1 outcome

15(f) recall and apply the formulae for the effective resistance of a number of resistors in series and in parallel to new situations or to solve related… 2mQ6(c)(i)

16. Practical Electricity · 6 marks as sat · 3 outcomes

16(d) state the hazards of using electricity in the following situations:; (i) damaged insulation; (ii) overheating of cables; (iii) damp conditions 3mQ8(a) Q8(c)
16(e) explain the use of fuses and circuit breakers in electrical circuits and of fuse ratings 4mQ8(a) Q8(d)
16(f) explain the need for earthing metal casings and for double insulation 1mQ8(b)

18. Electromagnetism · 7 marks as sat · 2 outcomes

18(c) describe experiments to show the force on a current-carrying conductor, and on a beam of charged particles, in a magnetic field, including the effect… 7mQ7(a) Q7(b) Q7(c)
18(d) deduce the relative directions of force, field and current when any two of these quantities are at right angles to each other using Fleming’s… 5mQ7(b) Q7(c)

19. Electromagnetic Induction · 6 marks as sat · 3 outcomes

19(d) describe the structure and principle of operation of a simple iron-cored transformer as used for voltage transformations 2mQ9(a)(ii)
19(e) recall and apply the equations VP / VS = NP / NS and VPIP = VSIS to new situations or to solve related problems (for an ideal transformer) 3mQ9(b)(i) Q9(b)(ii)
19(f) describe the energy loss in cables and deduce the advantages of high voltage transmission. 5mQ9(a)(i) Q9(a)(ii) Q9(b)(iv)

20. Radioactivity · 5 marks as sat · 6 outcomes

20(a) describe the composition of an atom in terms of a positive nucleus (with protons and neutrons) and negatively charged electrons 3mQ11(a)
20(b) use the terms proton (atomic) number Z, nucleon (mass) number A and isotope 1mQ11(c)(i)
20(d) show an understanding that nuclear decay is a random and spontaneous process whereby an unstable nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation 1mQ11(c)(iii)
20(e) show an understanding of the nature of alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) radiation (including ionising effect and penetrating power) [β-particles… 4mQ11(a) Q11(c)(ii)
20(f) use equations involving nuclide notation to represent changes in the composition of the nucleus when radioactive emissions occur 1mQ11(c)(ii)
20(j) state the meaning of nuclear fusion and nuclear fission and relate these nuclear processes with the release of energy from nuclear fuels (recall of… 4mQ11(b)(i) Q11(b)(ii)

No outcome at all from: 4. Turning Effect of Forces; 10. General Properties of Waves; 13. Static Electricity; 17. Magnetism.

Comparison with our 2026 prediction

Against the forecast published on this site before the exam, the 2026 Paper 2 came within 1.5 marks of it on 7 of 20 topics, with a mean absolute error of 2.7 marks per topic (simply taking the average of the previous 8 sittings would have scored 2.6, and repeating 2025 exactly 3.6). The biggest misses: Current of Electricity (forecast 3.4, paper 10); General Properties of Waves (forecast 5.9, paper 0); Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement (forecast 1.4, paper 7). 8 of the 16 outcomes on our “keeps returning” list were asked, and 2 of the 10 that had “gone quiet” came back. 16 outcomes came in cold (not in a Paper 2 for 5+ years, or never), and 10 of the 20 most heavily weighted outcomes were not asked at all.

Topic by topic

Topic and verdict	Forecast	2026 paper	Error
1. Physical Quantities, Units and MeasurementWell under-predicted by 5.6, but inside its recent range (0–7).	1.4	7	+5.6
2. KinematicsOn target.	4.9	5	+0.1
3. DynamicsOver-predicted by 3.7: less than in any of the previous 8 sittings.	6.2	2.5	-3.7
4. Turning Effect of ForcesOver-predicted by 3.3: not examined at all.	3.3	0	-3.3
5. PressureOver-predicted by 2.2, but inside its recent range (0–8).	4.2	2	-2.2
6. EnergyOn target.	7.1	6	-1.1
7. Kinetic Particle Model of MatterOn target.	2.8	2.5	-0.3
8. Thermal ProcessesOn target.	1.7	1	-0.7
9. Thermal Properties of MatterUnder-predicted by 4.0, but inside its recent range (0–13).	4.0	8	+4.0
10. General Properties of WavesWell over-predicted by 5.9: not examined at all.	5.9	0	-5.9
11. Electromagnetic SpectrumOn target.	2.5	3	+0.5
12. LightOn target.	6.4	7	+0.6
13. Static ElectricityOver-predicted by 3.6: not examined at all.	3.6	0	-3.6
14. Current of ElectricityWell under-predicted by 6.6: more than in any of the previous 8 sittings.	3.4	10	+6.6
15. D.C. CircuitsWell over-predicted by 4.7, but inside its recent range (2–11).	6.7	2	-4.7
16. Practical ElectricityUnder-predicted by 1.6, but inside its recent range (2–8.5).	4.4	6	+1.6
17. MagnetismOn target (a small forecast; the paper had none).	1.1	0	-1.1
18. ElectromagnetismUnder-predicted by 3.9: more than in any of the previous 8 sittings.	3.1	7	+3.9
19. Electromagnetic InductionUnder-predicted by 2.1, but inside its recent range (0–7.5).	3.9	6	+2.1
20. RadioactivityUnder-predicted by 1.6, but inside its recent range (0–11).	3.4	5	+1.6
Mean absolute error			2.7

Error = paper minus forecast, in marks as sat. Over-predicted (forecast too high): General Properties of Waves; D.C. Circuits; Dynamics; Static Electricity; Turning Effect of Forces; Pressure. Under-predicted (forecast too low): Current of Electricity; Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement; Thermal Properties of Matter; Electromagnetism; Electromagnetic Induction; Radioactivity; Practical Electricity. Within 1.5 marks counts as on target.

“Keeps returning”: did they come?

The 16 outcomes the forecast said Paper 2 keeps returning to. 8 were asked.

LO	Learning outcome	In the 2026 paper
15(g)	recall and apply the relevant relationships, including R = V / I and those for current, potential differences and resistors in series and in parallel circuits, in calculations involving a whole circuit	not asked
16(b)	recall and apply the relationships P = VI and E = V It to new situations or to solve related problems	not asked
10(d)	recall and apply the relationship speed of wave = frequency ×wavelength to new situations or to solve related problems	not asked
16(e)	explain the use of fuses and circuit breakers in electrical circuits and of fuse ratings	asked Q8(a) Q8(d)
3(g)	apply Newton's Laws to:; (i) describe the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on a body; (ii) describe the ways in which a force may change the motion of a body; (iii) identify action-reaction pairs acting on two interacting bodies (stating of Newton's Laws is not required)	asked Q3(c) Q10(b)(ii)B
12(f)	explain the terms critical angle and total internal reflection	asked Q4(c)
6(f)	calculate the efficiency of an energy transfer using the formula efficiency = useful energy output / total energy input	not asked
20(h)	use the term half-life in simple calculations, which might involve information in tables or decay curves	not asked
14(h)	apply the relationship R = V / I to new situations or to solve related problems	asked Q6(c)(i) Q6(c)(ii) Q9(b)(i) Q9(b)(iii)
14(k)	sketch and interpret the I-V characteristic graphs for a metallic conductor at constant temperature (ohmic conductor), for a filament lamp and for a semiconductor diode.	not asked
10(c)	define and use the terms speed, frequency, wavelength, period and amplitude, including graphical representation	not asked
9(c)	recall and apply the relationship energy transfer (by heating) = mass ×specific heat capacity x change in temperature to new situations or to solve related problems	asked Q2(d)(i) Q2(d)(ii)
12(e)	define refractive index of a medium in terms of the ratio of speed of light in vacuum and in the medium	asked Q4(a)
19(a)	deduce from Faraday’s experiments on electromagnetic induction or other appropriate experiments:; (i) that a changing magnetic field can induce an e.m.f. in a circuit; (ii) that the direction of the induced e.m.f. opposes the change producing it; (iii) the factors affecting the magnitude of the induced e.m.f.	not asked
15(f)	recall and apply the formulae for the effective resistance of a number of resistors in series and in parallel to new situations or to solve related problems	asked Q6(c)(i)
6(b)	recall and apply the relationships for kinetic energy (Ek = ½ mv2) and gravitational potential energy near the Earth's surface (Ep = m g h) to new situations or to solve related problems	asked Q3(b)(i) Q3(b)(ii)

“Went quiet”: which came back?

Outcomes asked repeatedly in Paper 2 that had dropped out of the recent sittings. 2 of 10 came back.

LO	Learning outcome	In the 2026 paper
10(g)	describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves in terms of the processes of compression and rarefactionBefore: 7× · last 2014	still quiet
14(j)	describe the effect of temperature increase on the resistance of a metallic conductorBefore: 7× · last 2018	still quiet
13(i)	describe the use of electrostatic charging in an electrostatic precipitator and apply the use of electrostatic charging to new situations.Before: 4× · last 2012	still quiet
10(a)	describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs and by waves in a ripple tank (including use of the term wavefront)Before: 4× · last 2015	still quiet
10(h)	relate loudness of a sound wave to its amplitude and pitch to its frequencyBefore: 7× · last 2019	still quiet
16(i)	explain why switches, fuses, and circuit breakers are fitted to the live wire.Before: 3× · last 2012	still quiet
17(e)	draw the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet and between the poles of two bar magnets.Before: 5× · last 2018	still quiet
8(c)	describe, in terms of density changes, how convection occurs in fluidsBefore: 7× · last 2020	came back Q2(a)
16(f)	explain the need for earthing metal casings and for double insulationBefore: 4× · last 2017	came back Q8(b)
8(a)	show an understanding that energy is transferred (by heating) from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature until thermal equilibrium is achieved between the two regionsBefore: 4× · last 2017	still quiet

Surprises

Came in cold

Outcomes the 2026 Paper 2 tested that had not been in a Paper 2 for 5+ years, or ever. Their recency weight was low, so the forecast gave them little.

LO	Learning outcome	Where in 2026
20(b)	use the terms proton (atomic) number Z, nucleon (mass) number A and isotopeBefore 2026: never in a Paper 2; Paper 1 last 2025	Q11(c)(i)
20(d)	show an understanding that nuclear decay is a random and spontaneous process whereby an unstable nucleus loses energy by emitting radiationBefore 2026: never in a Paper 2; never in Paper 1 either	Q11(c)(iii)
20(j)	state the meaning of nuclear fusion and nuclear fission and relate these nuclear processes with the release of energy from nuclear fuels (recall of the energy-mass equivalence and details of technologies in nuclear power plants are not required).Before 2026: never in a Paper 2; never in Paper 1 either	Q11(b)(i) Q11(b)(ii)
1(g)	add two vectors to determine a resultant by a graphical method.Before 2026: Paper 2 last 2017 (9 years before)	Q1(b)
16(f)	explain the need for earthing metal casings and for double insulationBefore 2026: Paper 2 last 2017 (9 years before)	Q8(b)
14(c)	recall and apply the relationship charge = current × time to new situations or to solve related problemsBefore 2026: Paper 2 last 2019 (7 years before)	Q6(b) Q6(c)(iii)
18(c)	describe experiments to show the force on a current-carrying conductor, and on a beam of charged particles, in a magnetic field, including the effect of reversing; (i) the current; (ii) the direction of the fieldBefore 2026: Paper 2 last 2019 (7 years before)	Q7(a) Q7(b) Q7(c)
2(c)	state what is meant by uniform acceleration and calculate the value of acceleration using change in velocity /time takenBefore 2026: Paper 2 last 2020 (6 years before)	Q3(a) Q3(b)(i)
8(c)	describe, in terms of density changes, how convection occurs in fluidsBefore 2026: Paper 2 last 2020 (6 years before)	Q2(a)
9(b)	define heat capacity and specific heat capacityBefore 2026: Paper 2 last 2020 (6 years before)	Q2(b)
12(d)	recall and apply the relationship sin i / sin r = constant to new situations or to solve related problemsBefore 2026: Paper 2 last 2020 (6 years before)	Q4(b)(i)
1(b)	recall the following base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m), time (s), current (A), temperature (K), amount of substance (mol)Before 2026: Paper 2 last 2021 (5 years before)	Q1(a)(ii) Q1(a)(iii)
9(a)	describe internal energy as an energy store that is made up of the total kinetic energy associated with the random motion of the particles and the total potential energy between the particles in the systemBefore 2026: Paper 2 last 2021 (5 years before)	Q2(c)
14(i)	recall and apply the relationship of the proportionality between resistance and the length and crosssectional area of a wire to new situations or to solve related problemsBefore 2026: Paper 2 last 2021 (5 years before)	Q9(b)(iv)
16(d)	state the hazards of using electricity in the following situations:; (i) damaged insulation; (ii) overheating of cables; (iii) damp conditionsBefore 2026: Paper 2 last 2021 (5 years before)	Q8(a) Q8(c)
18(d)	deduce the relative directions of force, field and current when any two of these quantities are at right angles to each other using Fleming’s left-hand ruleBefore 2026: Paper 2 last 2021 (5 years before)	Q7(b) Q7(c)

Heavily weighted, not asked

The top 20 outcomes of the recency-weighted ranking for Paper 2 (every sitting before 2026); these 10 did not appear. on our list = on the published “keeps returning” list.

Rank	LO	Learning outcome
1	15(g)	recall and apply the relevant relationships, including R = V / I and those for current, potential differences and resistors in series and in parallel circuits, in calculations involving a whole circuitAsked 21× in Paper 2, last 2025 on our list
2	16(b)	recall and apply the relationships P = VI and E = V It to new situations or to solve related problemsAsked 25× in Paper 2, last 2025 on our list
3	10(d)	recall and apply the relationship speed of wave = frequency ×wavelength to new situations or to solve related problemsAsked 21× in Paper 2, last 2024 on our list
7	6(f)	calculate the efficiency of an energy transfer using the formula efficiency = useful energy output / total energy inputAsked 16× in Paper 2, last 2025 on our list
8	20(h)	use the term half-life in simple calculations, which might involve information in tables or decay curvesAsked 7× in Paper 2, last 2025 on our list
10	14(k)	sketch and interpret the I-V characteristic graphs for a metallic conductor at constant temperature (ohmic conductor), for a filament lamp and for a semiconductor diode.Asked 17× in Paper 2, last 2024 on our list
11	10(c)	define and use the terms speed, frequency, wavelength, period and amplitude, including graphical representationAsked 23× in Paper 2, last 2025 on our list
14	19(a)	deduce from Faraday’s experiments on electromagnetic induction or other appropriate experiments:; (i) that a changing magnetic field can induce an e.m.f. in a circuit; (ii) that the direction of the induced e.m.f. opposes the change producing it; (iii) the factors affecting the magnitude of the induced e.m.f.Asked 17× in Paper 2, last 2025 on our list
19	3(m)	describe the motion of bodies with constant mass falling in uniform gravitational field with or without air resistance, including reference to terminal velocity.Asked 16× in Paper 2, last 2025
20	2(g)	deduce from the shape of a velocity-time graph when a body is:; (i) at rest; (ii) moving with uniform velocity; (iii) moving with uniform acceleration; (iv) moving with non-uniform accelerationAsked 13× in Paper 2, last 2025

Outcomes not tested in the 2026 Paper 2

113 of the 159 learning outcomes in the Pure Physics syllabus (71%) had no marked part of the 2026 Paper 2 on them, Section B options included. 80 of them are P1 regular (asked 3+ times in Paper 1 across the archive) and 8 are overdue (last seen in any paper 5+ years before 2026, or never; amber rows). Last seen counts every paper of this subject, Paper 1 included; P1 · P2 = how many times each outcome has been asked in each paper. These outcomes feed the Paper 1 specimen sets.

LO	Learning outcome	Last seen	P1 · P2
1. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurement — 4 of 7 not tested
1(a)	show an understanding that physical quantities typically consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit overdue	2019	1 · 0
1(c)	use the following prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal sub-multiples and multiples of the SI units: nano (n), micro (µ), milli (m), centi (c), deci (d), kilo (k), mega (M), giga (G), tera (T) P1 regular	2024	4 · 5
1(d)	show an understanding of the orders of magnitude of the sizes of common objects ranging from a typical atom to the Earth P1 regular	2023	5 · 0
1(e)	select and explain the use of appropriate measuring instruments to measure or determine physical quantities listed in ‘Summary of key quantities, symbols and units’ taking into consideration the range and precision of the instrument P1 regular	2025	14 · 6
2. Kinematics — 7 of 9 not tested
2(a)	state what is meant by speed and velocity	2022	2 · 4
2(d)	interpret given examples of non-uniform acceleration	2025	2 · 4
2(e)	plot and interpret a displacement-time graph and a velocity-time graph for motion in one dimension	2024	2 · 9
2(f)	deduce from the shape of a displacement-time graph when a body is:; (i) at rest; (ii) moving with uniform velocity; (iii) moving with non-uniform velocity P1 regular	2023	3 · 5
2(g)	deduce from the shape of a velocity-time graph when a body is:; (i) at rest; (ii) moving with uniform velocity; (iii) moving with uniform acceleration; (iv) moving with non-uniform acceleration P1 regular	2025	6 · 13
2(h)	calculate the area under a velocity-time graph to determine the displacement for motion with uniform velocity or uniform acceleration P1 regular	2025	8 · 9
2(i)	state that the acceleration of free fall for a body near to the Earth is constant and is approximately 10 m/s2. P1 regular	2024	3 · 4
3. Dynamics — 11 of 13 not tested
3(a)	identify and distinguish between contact forces (e.g. friction, air resistance, tension and normal force) and non-contact forces (e.g. gravitational, electrostatic and magnetic forces) P1 regular	2024	3 · 3
3(b)	state that mass is a measure of the amount of matter in a body overdue	2020	2 · 1
3(c)	state that a gravitational field is a region in which a mass experiences a force due to gravitational attraction P1 regular	2022	3 · 0
3(d)	define gravitational field strength, g, as gravitational force per unit mass placed at that point P1 regular	2024	3 · 1
3(e)	recall and apply the relationship weight = mass × gravitational field strength to new situations or to solve related problems P1 regular	2025	10 · 10
3(f)	distinguish between mass and weight P1 regular	2023	7 · 2
3(i)	solve problems for a static point mass under the action of three forces for two-dimensional cases by a graphical method P1 regular	2022	3 · 3
3(j)	recall and apply the relationship resultant force = mass × acceleration to new situations or to solve related problems P1 regular	2024	10 · 14
3(k)	show an understanding that mass is the property that resists change in motion of the body (inertia) P1 regular	2025	5 · 3
3(l)	explain the effects of friction on the motion of a body P1 regular	2024	4 · 2
3(m)	describe the motion of bodies with constant mass falling in uniform gravitational field with or without air resistance, including reference to terminal velocity. P1 regular	2025	18 · 16
4. Turning Effect of Forces — 6 of 6 not tested
4(a)	describe the moment of a force about a pivot in terms of its turning effect and relate this to everyday examples	2023	0 · 2
4(b)	recall and apply the relationship moment of a force (or torque) = force × perpendicular distance from the pivot to new situations or to solve related problems	2025	2 · 12
4(c)	state the principle of moments for a body in equilibrium	2025	0 · 7
4(d)	apply the principle of moments to new situations or to solve related problems P1 regular	2025	9 · 16
4(e)	show an understanding that the weight of a body may be taken as acting at a single point known as its centre of gravity P1 regular	2025	6 · 6
4(f)	describe qualitatively the effect of the position of the centre of gravity on the stability of objects. P1 regular	2025	4 · 3
5. Pressure — 4 of 7 not tested
5(a)	define pressure in terms of force and area P1 regular	2025	3 · 4
5(c)	describe and explain the transmission of pressure in hydraulic systems with particular reference to the hydraulic press P1 regular	2024	4 · 4
5(f)	describe how the height of a liquid column may be used to measure the atmospheric pressure P1 regular	2025	3 · 2
5(g)	describe the use of a manometer in the measurement of pressure difference. P1 regular	2025	5 · 8
6. Energy — 5 of 7 not tested
6(a)	show an understanding that there are energy stores, e.g. kinetic, potential (gravitational, chemical, elastic), nuclear and internal, and that energy can be transferred from one store to another:; (i) Mechanically (by a force acting over a distance); (ii) Electrically (by an electric current); (iii) By heating (due to a temperature difference); (iv) By propagation of waves (both electromagnetic and mechanical) P1 regular	2024	5 · 10
6(d)	recall and apply the relationship work done = force ×distance moved in the direction of the force to new situations or to solve related problems P1 regular	2025	13 · 9
6(e)	recall and apply the relationship power = energy transfer / time taken to new situations or to solve related problems P1 regular	2025	12 · 12
6(f)	calculate the efficiency of an energy transfer using the formula efficiency = useful energy output / total energy input P1 regular	2025	3 · 16
6(g)	discuss the use of non-renewable energy resources such as fossil fuel and nuclear fuel, and renewable energy resources such as biofuel, wind, tides, hydropower, geothermal reservoirs and solar to generate electricity in terms of efficiency of energy transfer, cost, reliability and their environmental impact.	2025	0 · 7
7. Kinetic Particle Model of Matter — 3 of 5 not tested
7(c)	infer from a Brownian motion experiment the evidence for the random movement of molecules in a liquid or gas P1 regular	2022	5 · 8
7(d)	relate the rise in temperature of a body to the increase in average kinetic energy of all the particles in the body P1 regular	2024	5 · 3
7(e)	explain the pressure of a gas in terms of the motion of its particles. P1 regular	2025	10 · 14
8. Thermal Processes — 4 of 5 not tested
8(a)	show an understanding that energy is transferred (by heating) from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature until thermal equilibrium is achieved between the two regions	2024	1 · 5
8(b)	describe, in microscopic terms, how conduction occurs in solids (via vibration of atoms/molecules and movement of electrons) P1 regular	2025	8 · 5
8(d)	explain that energy transfer by electromagnetic radiation does not require a material medium and that this rate of energy transfer to/from a body is affected by its:; (i) surface colour and texture; (ii) surface temperature; (iii) surface area P1 regular	2024	8 · 3
8(e)	apply the concepts of conduction, convection and radiation in everyday examples. P1 regular	2024	10 · 10
9. Thermal Properties of Matter — 5 of 9 not tested
9(d)	describe melting/solidification and boiling/condensation as processes of energy transfer without a change in temperature P1 regular	2022	5 · 3
9(e)	explain the difference between boiling and evaporation P1 regular	2025	5 · 5
9(f)	define latent heat and specific latent heat	2025	1 · 4
9(h)	explain latent heat in terms of behaviour of particles in a body	2025	2 · 5
9(i)	sketch and interpret a cooling curve. P1 regular	2025	3 · 6
10. General Properties of Waves — 10 of 10 not tested
10(a)	describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs and by waves in a ripple tank (including use of the term wavefront) P1 regular	2022	5 · 4
10(b)	show an understanding that waves transfer energy without transferring matter	2023	2 · 4
10(c)	define and use the terms speed, frequency, wavelength, period and amplitude, including graphical representation P1 regular	2025	22 · 23
10(d)	recall and apply the relationship speed of wave = frequency ×wavelength to new situations or to solve related problems P1 regular	2025	14 · 22
10(e)	compare transverse and longitudinal waves and give suitable examples of each P1 regular	2025	8 · 6
10(f)	show an understanding that sound can be produced by vibrating sources and a medium is required for the transmission of sound.	2023	1 · 3
10(g)	describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves in terms of the processes of compression and rarefaction P1 regular	2023	5 · 8
10(h)	relate loudness of a sound wave to its amplitude and pitch to its frequency P1 regular	2024	7 · 7
10(i)	describe how the reflection of sound may produce an echo, and how this may be used for measuring distances P1 regular	2024	4 · 7
10(j)	describe and explain how ultrasound is used, e.g. including sonar and medical scanning of soft tissue. P1 regular	2025	4 · 8
11. Electromagnetic Spectrum — 1 of 4 not tested
11(d)	describe how over-exposure to electromagnetic waves can have hazardous effects (e.g. heating and ionising effects of radiation) on living cells and tissue. P1 regular	2024	3 · 5
12. Light — 6 of 11 not tested
12(c)	recall and use the terms normal, angle of incidence and angle of refraction to describe the refraction of light P1 regular	2025	7 · 14
12(g)	apply total internal reflection to the use of optical fibres in telecommunication and medicine, stating the advantages of such use P1 regular	2025	3 · 7
12(h)	describe the action of a thin converging lens on a beam of light P1 regular	2023	4 · 3
12(i)	define the focal length for a converging lens	2023	2 · 7
12(j)	draw ray diagrams to illustrate the formation of real and virtual images of an object by a thin converging lens P1 regular	2025	5 · 10
12(k)	describe the characteristics of images (e.g. real/virtual, magnified/diminished, and upright/inverted) formed by a thin converging lens. P1 regular	2025	5 · 10
13. Static Electricity — 9 of 9 not tested
13(a)	state that there are positive and negative charges and that charge is measured in coulombs	2025	0 · 2
13(b)	state that unlike charges attract and like charges repel P1 regular	2025	5 · 10
13(c)	describe an electric field as a region in which an electric charge experiences a force P1 regular	2025	4 · 6
13(d)	draw the electric field of an isolated point charge and recall that the direction of the field lines gives the direction of the force acting on a positive test charge	2025	2 · 3
13(e)	draw the electric field pattern between two isolated point charges	2023	2 · 0
13(f)	show an understanding that electrostatic charging by rubbing involves a transfer of electrons P1 regular	2025	7 · 11
13(g)	describe experiments to show electrostatic charging by induction P1 regular	2025	9 · 13
13(h)	describe examples where electrostatic charging may be a potential hazard overdue	2020	0 · 5
13(i)	describe the use of electrostatic charging in an electrostatic precipitator and apply the use of electrostatic charging to new situations.	2024	2 · 4
14. Current of Electricity — 7 of 11 not tested
14(a)	state that current is the rate of flow of charge and that it is measured in amperes	2025	1 · 2
14(b)	distinguish between conventional current and electron flow P1 regular	2025	3 · 1
14(e)	calculate the total e.m.f. where several sources are arranged in series P1 regular	2025	3 · 1
14(f)	state that the potential difference (p.d.) across a component in a circuit is the work done per unit charge in driving charges through the component and that it is measured in volts P1 regular	2023	6 · 2
14(g)	state that resistance = p.d. / current	2023	2 · 1
14(j)	describe the effect of temperature increase on the resistance of a metallic conductor P1 regular	2024	3 · 7
14(k)	sketch and interpret the I-V characteristic graphs for a metallic conductor at constant temperature (ohmic conductor), for a filament lamp and for a semiconductor diode. P1 regular	2024	5 · 21
15. D.C. Circuits — 9 of 10 not tested
15(a)	draw circuit diagrams with power sources (cell, battery, d.c. supply or a.c. supply), switches, lamps, resistors (fixed and variable), variable potential divider (potentiometer), fuses, ammeters and voltmeters, bells, light-dependent resistors, thermistors and light-emitting diodes overdue	2021	2 · 9
15(b)	state that the current at every point in a series circuit is the same and apply the principle to new situations or to solve related problems	2025	2 · 3
15(c)	state that the sum of the potential differences in a series circuit is equal to the potential difference across the whole circuit and apply the principle to new situations or to solve related problems P1 regular	2025	5 · 10
15(d)	state that the sum of the currents in the separate branches of a parallel circuit is equal to the current from the source and apply the principle to new situations or to solve related problems P1 regular	2024	8 · 6
15(e)	state that the potential difference across the separate branches of a parallel circuit is the same and apply the principle to new situations or to solve related problems P1 regular	2024	6 · 8
15(g)	recall and apply the relevant relationships, including R = V / I and those for current, potential differences and resistors in series and in parallel circuits, in calculations involving a whole circuit P1 regular	2025	10 · 22
15(h)	describe the action of a variable potential divider (potentiometer) P1 regular	2025	4 · 11
15(i)	describe the action of negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors and light-dependent resistors and explain their use as input transducers in potential dividers P1 regular	2025	8 · 8
15(j)	solve simple circuit problems involving NTC thermistors and light-dependent resistors. P1 regular	2025	4 · 4
16. Practical Electricity — 6 of 9 not tested
16(a)	describe the use of the heating effect of electricity in appliances such as electric kettles, ovens and heaters overdue	2020	0 · 1
16(b)	recall and apply the relationships P = VI and E = V It to new situations or to solve related problems P1 regular	2025	14 · 28
16(c)	calculate the cost of using electrical appliances where the energy unit is the kW h	2024	2 · 12
16(g)	state the meaning of the terms live, neutral and earth P1 regular	2024	4 · 1
16(h)	describe the wiring in a mains plug P1 regular overdue	2019	4 · 0
16(i)	explain why switches, fuses, and circuit breakers are fitted to the live wire. P1 regular	2024	5 · 3
17. Magnetism — 5 of 5 not tested
17(a)	state the properties of magnets P1 regular	2024	3 · 6
17(b)	describe induced magnetism caused by placing magnetic material close to a strong magnet or within a current-carrying solenoid	2024	2 · 5
17(c)	distinguish between temporary magnets (e.g. iron) and permanent magnets (e.g. steel) in terms of their properties and uses P1 regular	2024	6 · 4
17(d)	describe how a bar magnet (e.g. a compass) can be used to determine the direction of a magnetic field	2024	2 · 1
17(e)	draw the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet and between the poles of two bar magnets. P1 regular	2025	3 · 5
18. Electromagnetism — 4 of 6 not tested
18(a)	draw the pattern of the magnetic field due to currents in straight wires and in solenoids and state the effect on the magnetic field of changing the magnitude and/or direction of the current P1 regular	2024	11 · 13
18(b)	describe the application of the magnetic effect of a current in electromagnets (e.g. circuit breakers) P1 regular	2025	3 · 6
18(e)	explain how a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field (e.g. in a motor) experiences a turning effect and that the effect is increased by increasing; (i) the number of turns on the coil; (ii) the current P1 regular	2022	4 · 6
18(f)	describe the action of a split-ring commutator in a two-pole, single-coil motor and the effect of winding the coil on to a soft-iron cylinder. overdue	2017	1 · 2
19. Electromagnetic Induction — 3 of 6 not tested
19(a)	deduce from Faraday’s experiments on electromagnetic induction or other appropriate experiments:; (i) that a changing magnetic field can induce an e.m.f. in a circuit; (ii) that the direction of the induced e.m.f. opposes the change producing it; (iii) the factors affecting the magnitude of the induced e.m.f. P1 regular	2025	11 · 17
19(b)	describe a simple a.c. generator (rotating coil or rotating magnet) and the use of slip rings (where needed) P1 regular	2025	4 · 7
19(c)	sketch a graph of voltage output against time for a simple a.c. generator P1 regular	2025	5 · 9
20. Radioactivity — 4 of 10 not tested
20(c)	use and interpret the term nuclide and use the nuclide notation A ZX	2024	0 · 1
20(g)	show an understanding of background radiation	2024	0 · 2
20(h)	use the term half-life in simple calculations, which might involve information in tables or decay curves	2025	0 · 7
20(i)	discuss the applications (e.g. medical and industrial uses) and hazards of radioactivity based on:; (i) half-life of radioactive materials,; (ii) penetrating abilities and ionising effects of radioactive emissions overdue	2020	0 · 1

Paper 1 specimen sets

Five Paper 1 (multiple-choice) sets in the layout and conventions of the real paper, based on the 2026 Paper 2: they put the weight on the outcomes the 2026 Paper 2 did not test (the “Not tested in 2026” tab). Paper 1 for 2026 is still to come, so these are practice for it. They are original questions, not the real paper. Each set has its full mark scheme, so you can mark yourself afterwards.