Assessment - GCSE Physics
Assessment Overview
GCSE Physics A is a linear qualification assessed entirely through external written examinations. Learners enter either Foundation tier or Higher tier, and they sit two papers at their chosen tier.
Each paper carries equal weighting and contributes 50% of the total GCSE. The assessment covers subject knowledge, mathematical application, practical skills, scientific enquiry, analysis, and evaluation.
Forms of assessment
| Component | Tier | Content assessed | Assessment structure | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 J249/01 | Foundation | Topics P1-P4 and P9 | 90 marks 1 hour 45 minutes Section A: multiple choice, 15 marks Section B: short answer, practical, maths, structured questions, and an extended six-mark Level of Response question, 75 marks | 50% of total GCSE |
| Paper 2 J249/02 | Foundation | Topics P5-P8 and P9, with assumed knowledge of Topics P1-P4 and P9 | 90 marks 1 hour 45 minutes Section A: multiple choice, 15 marks Section B: short answer, practical, maths, synoptic questions, structured questions, and an extended six-mark Level of Response question, 75 marks | 50% of total GCSE |
| Paper 3 J249/03 | Higher | Topics P1-P4 and P9 | 90 marks 1 hour 45 minutes Section A: multiple choice, 15 marks Section B: short answer, practical, maths, structured questions, and an extended six-mark Level of Response question, 75 marks | 50% of total GCSE |
| Paper 4 J249/04 | Higher | Topics P5-P8 and P9, with assumed knowledge of Topics P1-P4 and P9 | 90 marks 1 hour 45 minutes Section A: multiple choice, 15 marks Section B: short answer, practical, maths, synoptic questions, structured questions, and an extended six-mark Level of Response question, 75 marks | 50% of total GCSE |
Assessment Objectives
There are three assessment objectives for GCSE Physics A. These objectives describe how knowledge, application, analysis, and evaluation are assessed across the papers.
Assessment objectives and weightings
| Assessment Objective | Assessment objectives | Higher | Foundation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, scientific techniques and procedures. | 40% | 40% |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, scientific enquiry, techniques and procedures. | 40% | 40% |
| AO3 | Analyse information and ideas to interpret and evaluate, make judgements and draw conclusions, and develop and improve experimental procedures. | 20% | 20% |
Assessment Objective elements
| Reference | Assessment Objective elements |
|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas and scientific techniques and procedures. |
| AO1.1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas. |
| AO1.2 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific techniques and procedures. |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas and scientific enquiry, techniques and procedures. |
| AO2.1 | Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas. |
| AO2.2 | Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific enquiry, techniques and procedures. |
| AO3 | Analyse information and ideas to interpret and evaluate, make judgements and draw conclusions, and develop and improve experimental procedures. |
| AO3.1 | Analyse information and ideas to interpret and evaluate. |
| AO3.1a | Analyse information and ideas to interpret. |
| AO3.1b | Analyse information and ideas to evaluate. |
| AO3.2 | Analyse information and ideas to make judgements and draw conclusions. |
| AO3.2a | Analyse information and ideas to make judgements. |
| AO3.2b | Analyse information and ideas to draw conclusions. |
| AO3.3 | Analyse information and ideas to develop and improve experimental procedures. |
| AO3.3a | Analyse information and ideas to develop experimental procedures. |
| AO3.3b | Analyse information and ideas to improve experimental procedures. |
Synoptic Assessment
Synoptic assessment checks whether learners understand connections between different parts of physics rather than treating topics as isolated ideas.
It may require learners to connect knowledge, understanding, and skills from different parts of the course, apply more than one area of physics to a context, use principles and concepts in planning and investigation, analyse and evaluate data, and bring together ideas from different topics.
Paper 2 and Paper 4 contain an element of synoptic assessment.
Qualification Results
A learner's overall GCSE Physics grade is calculated by adding the marks from the two papers taken at the same tier to give a total weighted mark.
That mark is then compared with the qualification grade boundaries for the entry option and examination series to determine the learner's overall grade.
Pre-assessment Final entries
Final entries provide the exam board with the details needed for each learner, including the assessment tier they will sit. The correct entry code must be used so that the learner is entered for the intended tier.
Learners must be entered for either Foundation tier or Higher tier only. They cannot be entered for a combination of tiers.
Entry options
| Entry code | Title | Component code | Component title | Assessment type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J249 F | Physics A (Gateway Science) Foundation Tier | 01 | Paper 1 (Foundation Tier) | External assessment |
| J249 F | Physics A (Gateway Science) Foundation Tier | 02 | Paper 2 (Foundation Tier) | External assessment |
| J249 H | Physics A (Gateway Science) Higher Tier | 03 | Paper 3 (Higher Tier) | External assessment |
| J249 H | Physics A (Gateway Science) Higher Tier | 04 | Paper 4 (Higher Tier) | External assessment |