Physics (9702) Past Papers & Revision Resources
Free Cambridge A-Level Physics (9702) past papers, mark schemes, examiner reports and grade thresholds from 2020-2025, plus 546 flashcards across 73 topic decks and topic-by-topic revision notes.
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Past Papers (2020-2025)
498 files across 18 sessions. Question papers, mark schemes, examiner reports.
Flashcards (73 decks)
546 flashcards organised by topic. Spaced repetition for active recall.
Revision Notes
Topic-by-topic notes mapped to the 9702 syllabus. Concise, exam-focused.
9702 Paper Components
Cambridge A-Level Physics consists of 5 paper components. AS-Level candidates sit Papers 1-2. Full A-Level candidates sit all 5 papers, including the Paper 3 practical exam (with Confidential Instructions for the supervising teacher) and the Paper 5 planning, analysis & evaluation paper.
About Cambridge A-Level Physics
Cambridge A-Level Physics (9702) is one of the most respected pre-university physics qualifications in the world. The syllabus develops fluency in scientific inquiry, advanced practical experimentation, and the mathematical handling of physical models — preparation that maps directly onto first-year undergraduate physics, engineering, and astronomy degrees.
AS-Level (Papers 1-2)
AS-Level (Papers 1 and 2) covers the foundation half of the syllabus: physical quantities and units, kinematics, dynamics, forces and momentum, work and energy, waves, superposition, electric circuits, particle physics, and a first look at radioactivity. Paper 1 is 40-mark multiple choice; Paper 2 is structured questions worth 60 marks.
Full A-Level (Papers 3-5)
A2 (Papers 3, 4, 5) extends the syllabus into circular motion, oscillations, gravitation, thermal physics, ideal gases, electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, alternating currents, quantum physics, nuclear physics, medical physics, and astronomy & cosmology. Paper 3 is the practical exam (40 marks, with a Confidential Instructions document for the teacher); Paper 4 is the largest theory paper (100 marks); Paper 5 covers planning, analysis & evaluation (30 marks).
Key topics in A-Level Physics
These are the major topic areas examined across the 9702 syllabus. Refer to the official Cambridge syllabus PDF for the complete topic list with learning outcomes.
- Physical quantities, units, and measurement uncertainty
- Kinematics, dynamics, and Newton's laws
- Work, energy, power, and conservation principles
- Mechanical waves, superposition, and stationary waves
- D.C. electricity, resistance, and circuit analysis
- Particle physics, leptons, and quarks
- Circular motion and gravitational fields
- Thermal physics and the ideal gas equation
- Electric, magnetic, and capacitor fields
- Electromagnetic induction and alternating currents
- Quantum physics, photoelectric effect, and matter waves
- Nuclear physics, radioactive decay, and binding energy
Past Papers by Year
Download 9702 past papers, mark schemes, examiner reports and grade thresholds for any year from 2020 to 2025. Each year covers up to three sessions: February-March (limited centres), May-June (main series), and October-November.
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
How A-Level Physics is graded
Cambridge A-Level Physics is graded A* to E for the full A-Level, and a to e (lowercase) for stand-alone AS-Level. There is a U (ungraded) below E. The conversion from raw marks to grades uses session-specific grade thresholds that Cambridge publishes after each exam series — harder papers have lower thresholds.
As a rough guide for 9702: an A* typically requires around 85-90% across the relevant papers; an A around 75-80%; a B around 65-70%; a C around 55-60%. The exact threshold is set against a curve to keep grade boundaries fair across sessions. Look at the GT document for any session above to see the actual cut-offs for that session.
Official syllabus and external references
These are the authoritative sources for A-Level Physics content. Use the Cambridge syllabus PDF as the definitive list of what's examinable; the others are reputable third-party resources that complement what's on this site.
- Cambridge International — 9702 Physics syllabus
Official syllabus PDF, specimen papers, and learner guides direct from Cambridge.
- Institute of Physics — A-Level resources
IOP teaching and learning resources, careers in physics, and university transition guides.
- Khan Academy — AP Physics 1/2
Free video walkthroughs that overlap heavily with the 9702 AS and A2 syllabus.
Studying A-Level Physics? Brush up on IGCSE foundations first
A-Level Physics (9702) builds directly on IGCSE Physics (0625). If you're transitioning from IGCSE or coming to A-Level from a different IGCSE specification, the 0625 resources are the most efficient way to fill any foundation gaps before tackling the AS material.
A-Level 9702 — Frequently asked questions
When are the A-Level Physics exams in 2026?
Cambridge A-Level Physics (9702) exams in 2026 are held during these sessions:
- February-March 2026: limited centres, mainly in India
- May/June 2026: 23 April – 9 June 2026 (main global session)
- October/November 2026: late September – mid November 2026
AS-Level papers and A2 papers are scheduled on different dates within each session. View the full June 2026 timetable →
What's the difference between AS-Level and full A-Level?
AS-Level is Papers 1-2, taken at the end of year 1 of a two-year course or as a stand-alone qualification. It's worth half the UCAS points of full A-Level. Full A-Level adds Papers 3, 4, and 5 (year 2), and is the qualification most universities require for entry to physics, engineering, or astronomy degrees.
What paper components are in A-Level Physics?
Cambridge A-Level Physics (9702) has 5 paper components:
- Paper 1: Multiple Choice (AS) — 1h 15min, 40 marks (AS-Level)
- Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions — 1h 15min, 60 marks (AS-Level)
- Paper 3: Advanced Practical Skills — 2h, 40 marks (A2)
- Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions — 2h, 100 marks (A2)
- Paper 5: Planning, Analysis and Evaluation — 1h 30min, 30 marks (A2)
What are paper variants (e.g. 11, 12, 13) and which one should I practise?
Cambridge issues different variants of each paper so the exam can be sat across global time zones without leaks. Variant 1 (e.g. Paper 11, 21) typically goes to Zone 1 (Americas); Variant 2 (12, 22) to Zone 2 (Europe, Africa, Middle East); Variant 3 (13, 23) to Zone 3 (Asia, Oceania). All variants test the same syllabus content at equivalent difficulty, with grade thresholds calibrated session-by-session to even out small variation. Any variant is equally valuable for revision.
How many UCAS points is A-Level Physics worth?
Cambridge A-Levels carry the same UCAS tariff as UK GCE A-Levels (subject to per-university confirmation). A* = 56 points, A = 48, B = 40, C = 32, D = 24, E = 16. AS-Level is worth roughly 40% of the full A-Level points (a = 20, b = 16, c = 12, d = 10, e = 6). Most UK universities accept Cambridge A-Levels directly; some prefer the predicted-grade route. Always check the specific UCAS course page for your target university.
What is Paper 3 and the Confidential Instructions (CI) document?
Paper 3 is the Physics advanced practical-skills exam. It is sat under supervised lab conditions and tests skills like manipulation of apparatus, data presentation, and analysis. The accompanying Confidential Instructions document is given to the supervising teacher before the exam — it lists the apparatus, equipment required, plus any preparatory work the centre must do. Students don't see the CI, but reading past CIs is a useful way to anticipate what kind of experimental setups Paper 3 favours.
How should I structure my A-Level Physics revision?
A solid approach: (1) finish notes for every topic at least 6 weeks before the exam, (2) work through 4-6 past papers under timed conditions, (3) self-mark each one with the mark scheme and log your error patterns, (4) read the examiner report for at least 2-3 of those sessions — it tells you exactly which questions tripped most candidates and what examiners wanted, (5) use flashcards for active recall on factual content and timed practice on calculation-heavy questions. On this site: 546+ Physics flashcards and topic-by-topic revision notes are free with no signup.