Cambridge International AS/A Level Physics Study and Revision Guide Third Edition

Book Preface

This revision guide is written to support students following the Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702 course. The assessment of the AS Level is based on examination papers 1 to 3, while at A Level the results from the AS papers are combined with two further papers, Papers 4 and 5. Details of each examination are set out below.

AS Level
Paper 1 1 hour 15 minutes 40 marks
» 40 multiple-choice questions based on the AS Level syllabus content
» 31% of the AS Level, 15.5% of the A Level
» Half the questions test knowledge and understanding; the remainder test
handling, applying and evaluating information.
Paper 2 1 hour 15 minutes 60 marks
» Structured questions (usually 7 or 8) based on the AS Level syllabus content
» 46% of AS Level, 23% of A Level
Paper 3 2 hours 40 marks
» Advanced practical skills
» Practical work and structured questions
» There are two questions based on the experimental skills outlined in the
practical assessment section of the syllabus.
» 23% of the AS Level, 11.5% of the A Level
A Level
Paper 4 2 hours 100 marks
» Structured questions (usually 12) based on the A Level syllabus content;
knowledge of material from AS Level will be required.
» 38.5% of the A Level
Paper 5 1 hour 15 minutes 30 marks
» Planning, analysis and evaluation
» There are two questions based on the experimental skills outlined in the
practical assessment section of the syllabus.
» 11.5% of the A Level
Papers 1, 2 and 4 have a data page and a formulae page at the beginning.
Strategies for answering multiple-choice
questions
» Read the stem of the question carefully so that you are clear about what the
question is asking.
» Read each alternative answer fully, do not just scan for key words.
» Eliminate those answers that you are certain are definitely wrong. This strategy
limits the range of answers to select from.
» Link the content of the answer to the key elements in the stem of the question.
» Do not rush. There are 75 minutes to answer 40 questions – it is better to answer
30 questions correctly by using time sensibly rather than 40 questions incorrectly
because you have rushed.
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Introduction
Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics Study and Revision Guide
» Do not spend too much time on a single question – if you find that you
are struggling with a question, move on to the next one and return to the
unanswered one later.
» Answer all questions, even those where you are unsure what the answer should
be – in these cases use your best judgement to select an answer.
» Practise timed questions – use past paper questions to practise your timing.
Answering structured questions
Each question will be subdivided into several parts based around a common theme.
At A Level, the subsections may test objectives from different sections of the
syllabus. In many structured questions, a value or information found in one part
is used in subsequent parts. Half the questions test knowledge and understanding,
while the remainder test handling, applying and evaluating information. For
example, the first part of a question may require you to state a definition or write
an equation. This will be followed by a description, often with some data. At AS
Level, you will be expected to use the data along with the definition or equation
from the first part of the question. At A Level, you might be required to make short
written statements including descriptions or explanations, carry out calculations,
sketch a graph or draw a simple diagram