“Physics is the law, and everything else is a recommendation.” This is a sentence Elon Musk has used several times to describe physics. You can trace everything around us back to physics. Learning the laws of physics is not just a matter of education, but it has real-life applications, which makes this discipline even more interesting.
As far as the GCSE exam is concerned, the Physics exam can be tricky, and if you are not well-prepared for the exam, you might fail it. I am writing this article to help you revise for the GCSE Physics exam. Here are some of the revision tips for the GCSE Physics exam.
- Arrange a practical revision plan.
- Diversify your revision resources.
- Practise past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format.
- Use your preferred revision strategies.
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Develop test-taking strategies.
- Take care of yourself.
- Get help from a GCSE physics tutor.
What Are the Topics of The GCSE Physics Paper 2?
Paper 2 of the GCSE physics exam is more advanced than the first paper, which assesses your knowledge of the basic concepts in Physics. The topics covered in Physics Paper 2 differ slightly for those who take the Combined Science GCSE exam and those who take the Triple Science GCSE exam. The Combined Science GCSE exam is generally less detailed than the Triple Science, and therefore, Triple Science GCSE Physics is more complex than Combined Science Physics. Moreover, the Triple Science GCSE Physics covers one extra topic. The first three topics below are covered in Combined Science GCSE Physics, and the last one is added in the GCSE Triple Science Physics.
- Forces: motion, moments, pressure, Newton’s three laws, energy transfer, power calculations
- Waves: transverse and longitudinal waves and their properties, electromagnetic waves, sound waves, reflection
- Magnetism: magnetic fields, electromagnets and their uses, transformers and their application in the National Grid
- Space: the solar system, the life cycle of stars, the Big Bang Theory, gravity and orbits, satellites and their uses, space exploration
What to Expect in GCSE Physics Paper 2?
The GCSE physics paper 2 contains 12-15 questions assessing the test-takers’ knowledge of the above mentioned topics. The question types vary among different exam boards and even within different administrations of the same exam board.
Marking Scheme
By answering all the questions correctly, you will get 100 marks. Mark allocation to the exam questions depends on the complexity of the questions and the steps you have to take to get to the answer. For instance, if a question has four marks, it means you should explain in detail and show the formulas and operations you did to solve the problem. The lowest mark allocated to a question is 1, and the highest is 9 for very complex problems.
Question Types
There are various question types in Paper 2 of the GCSE Physics exam. You can expect multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that require you to choose one item among others as the answer. MCQs typically have 1 mark. There are also short-answer questions in Paper 2 that require a number as the answer, but you have to show the formula you used to find the answer. Finally, there are long-answer questions that require explaining a concept, extracting and interpreting data from a chart, drawing graphs, and using mathematical calculations related to physics.
The critical point about answering the questions is understanding what you are required to do. By learning the “Exam question terminology”, you can improve the accuracy of your answers and get the full marks allocated to the question. Moreover, read all parts of the question and pay attention to underlined or bold words. For instance, when answering an MCQ, you should read the stem and all the options before choosing one.
GCSE Physics Paper 2 Question Examples
MCQ:
“Which of the following is a property of longitudinal waves?”
- A) They require a medium to travel through.
- B) They can travel through a vacuum.
- C) They travel at the speed of light.”
- D) They have crests and troughs.
Short-answer Questions:
“State Newton’s first law of motion. (1 mark)”
“Calculate the force acting on a 5 kg object accelerating at 3 m/s². (2 marks)”
Long-answer Questions:
“Describe the life cycle of a star similar to the Sun. Include all the main stages in your description. (6 marks)“
“The table below shows the speed of a wave in different mediums. Plot this data on a graph and describe the trend. (4 marks)“
“A light wave has a frequency of 5 x 10^14 Hz and travels at 3 x 10^8 m/s. Calculate its wavelength. (3 marks)“
How to revise for GCSE Physics Paper 2
Revising for the GCSE demands considerable effort, especially for harder disciplines like Physics. You should start the revision process 6 months before the exam. Postponing the revision causes stress and frustration due to the huge amount of work and time limit. By using the following tips, you can revise for the GCSE exams effectively.
Read more: Best Way To Revise Physics GCSE: Plan For Success
“GCSEs are the gateways to further higher education and professional opportunities. For that reason, studying for GCSEs at the end of 11th grade can be overwhelming. However, with the proper study habits and revision guides, getting ready for GCSE physics exams can be enjoyable. This article provides a comprehensive guide on the best way to revise physics GCSE.
1. Arrange a Revision Schedule
The first thing you need to do is to come up with a personalised study plan. You should start early enough to be able to cover all the topics of GCSE Physics Papers 1 and 2. The time you spend on the GCSE physics revision depends on how well you understand the topics. You need to dedicate 3 to 7 hours of your day to revise for the GCSE exams. Given that you have started early enough, you will be able to revise for all GCSE disciplines. The important thing in making a revision schedule is its comprehensiveness. That is, you must cover all topics (Forces, Waves, Magnetism, and Space), but you should allocate more time to the revision of the subject with which you struggle.
Also read:
The Pomodoro Technique can help you execute your study plan without getting bored. If you find it hard to focus on the lessons, this technique can transform your study habits.
2. Get Help From a GCSE Physics Tutor
As you can see, revising for the GCSE exam is a lot of work, and it would be tiring to do all this work single-handedly. A professional GCSE physics tutor can share your burden and make the revision process far easier for you. They can write a personalised study plan for you, simplify the complex concepts, motivate you, and ultimately, give you the confidence you need in order to top Paper 2 of the GCSE physics exam.
- Ostado online tutoring platform
Ostado is one of the leading tutoring platforms in the UK, but our tutors and clients come from all around the globe. Ostado’s primary goal is to provide high-quality yet affordable private tutoring to students from any country. Our GCSE physics tutors are ready to help you revise for the GCSE Physics Paper 2. Choose your preferred physics tutor GCSE now to get everything you need to ace the GCSE physics exam.
3. Use Different Revision Resources
Do not limit yourself to textbooks and revision guides. There are a plethora of resources available online you can use to diversify your revision resources. For example, you can watch educational videos on YouTube or listen to educational podcasts. By using various resources, you make the learning process more engaging. Plus, you will be ready for any question that might appear on the exam. In other words, by diversifying your resources, you have a better chance of achieving the full mark for Paper 2 of the GCSE Physics. The following table includes some of the resources you can use to revise for the GCSE Physics Paper 2.
| # | Resource | Description |
| 1 | BBC Bitesize | A comprehensive revision resource with detailed notes, videos, and quizzes covering all GCSE Physics topics. |
| 2 | Khan Academy | Provides in-depth video tutorials and practice exercises on various physics concepts, suitable for GCSE level. |
| 3 | GCSE Physics Online | Created by a physics teacher, this site offers free video tutorials and revision materials. |
| 4 | YouTube – FuseSchool | Educational videos covering key physics topics, explained in a clear and engaging manner. |
| 5 | Revision World | Provides free revision notes, past papers, and practice questions for GCSE Physics. |
| 6 | Save My Exams | Offers revision notes, topic questions, and practice papers with mark schemes and model answers. |
| 7 | Quizlet | A platform with user-generated flashcards and quizzes to help memorise key physics concepts and formulas. |
| 8 | Isaac Physics | Provides problem-solving resources and practice questions to develop physics skills. |
| 9 | Cognito | Offers free video tutorials, quizzes, and notes on GCSE Physics topics. |
4. Use AQA GCSE Physics Past Papers
The best way to prepare yourself for the GCSE exam is using GCSE Physics Past Papers. Past papers should be part of your revision schedule because they familiarise you with the topics, question types and the marking scheme of the GCSE Physics exam. By practising AQA physics past papers, you can also identify your weaknesses and dedicate more time to challenging topics
| # | Resource | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AQA | Access past papers, mark schemes, and specimen papers for the AQA exam board. |
| 2 | OCR | Find past papers, mark schemes, and practice materials for the OCR exam board. |
| 3 | Edexcel | Browse past papers, mark schemes, and examiners’ reports for the Edexcel exam board. |
| 4 | TES | Contains a range of past papers and resources shared by teachers. |
| 5 | Exam-Mate | Offers a collection of past papers and mark schemes for multiple exam boards. |
If you want to get the most out of practising past papers, you should simulate the real exam conditions. Put on suitable clothes, grab a bottle of water, collect the things you are allowed to use in the exam session, put them on your desk, and, most important of all, set a timer. You have 1 hour and 45 minutes to answer the question of Paper 2. Simulating the exam helps you manage your time and cope with stress in the real exam session.
5. Make Future Reviews Easier
Studying the topics once is not enough. Repetition is the key to the mastery of the topics in the GCSE exam. Therefore, you should allocate some time in your schedule to reviewing what you have studied so far. You can use mind-mapping, colour-coding, note-taking, and summarising as techniques to make reviews quicker. Memorising key formulas and practising them in different arrangements is also recommended.
Also read: 4 Steps To Prepare for GCSE Mathematics Revision
“Studying for GCSE Math can be even more fun if you do it correctly. To improve your memory, start by using effective methods such as active recall, making an organised review schedule, and spaced repetition.”
6. Develop Critical Thinking
Part of the GCSE physics paper 2 requires you to elaborate on visuals like diagrams and other figures. You need critical thinking skills to understand these visuals and interpret the data they represent. Remember to maintain a logical flow of information when dealing with the visuals.
How to build your critical thinking skills in 7 steps
“Critical thinking is, well, critical. By building these skills, you improve your ability to analyze information and come to the best decision possible. In this article, we cover the basics of critical thinking, as well as the seven steps you can use to implement the full critical thinking process.“
7. Develop Exam Techniques
Aside from having extensive knowledge of the topics in GCSE physics, you need to acquire some exam techniques. First and foremost, you need to understand the question. After all, understanding the question is half of the answer.
Second, you need to develop time management skills. Questions with higher marks are more complex and need more time. Go through the exam paper and answer all the questions you can. Do not spend much time on the questions that are challenging. If you have got any extra time after going through all the questions, you can spend the extra time to review your answer or work on the questions that you did not answer completely.
Third, For long-answer questions, make sure to plan your answer and explain it step by step. You can use bullet points or indentation to give your answer a readable structure. Make sure to address all parts of the question.
8. Take Care of Yourself
Your success in the GCSE exams depends on your physical and mental well-being. You should maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. For instance, you should have a healthy diet and eat nutritious food. You should also get enough rest and sleep at least 7 hours a day, especially on the last days leading up to exam day.
Regarding mental well-being, you should motivate yourself and appreciate your efforts as you advance your revision schedule. Listening to music can go a long way in calming you down when you feel stressed.
Physics is one of the challenging disciplines in the GCSE examinations. It needs careful planning and revision to get good marks. I summarised some tips in this article to help you revise for the physics exam. Remember to devise a realistic plan and maintain a balance between your personal life and your educational success. It costs you a lot to sacrifice one for another. I hope you ace the GCSE exams. Good luck!
Read More: How To Revise For Science GCSE AQA
FAQs - GCSE Physics Paper 2
- What is on the GCSE physics paper 2?The main topics of the GCSE physics paper 2 are Forces, Waves, Magnetism, and Space.
- What percentage of people get a 9 in GCSE physics?The number of students receiving a grade-9 GCSE changes every year. The statistics from last year indicate that 4.9% of students achieved grade 9.
- Is physics a hard GCSE?According to a recent poll by Think Student, 11.4% of the participants voted GCSE Physics as the hardest GCSE, making it the second hardest subject in GCSE.