Skip to content
Heights International Academy
A teacher writes circuit theory and logic notes on a whiteboard

A Level Physics tutor online (9702)

Taught for Cambridge (CAIE), Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OCR.

Taught by Shoaib Rashid.

At a glance

Our A Level Physics tutors teach Cambridge International 9702, Pearson Edexcel International A Level (units WPH11 to WPH16), AQA 7408, Pearson Edexcel 9PH0 and OCR Physics A H556. Live 1:1 or small-group online classes cover the full syllabus, with focused practice on calculations, practical-skills papers and data analysis.

A Level Physics key facts

Cambridge (CAIE)Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702), 5 papers/components (official syllabus)
Pearson EdexcelPearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Physics (YPH11), 6 papers/components (official syllabus)
AQAAQA A-level Physics (7408), 3 papers/components (official syllabus)
Pearson EdexcelPearson Edexcel A Level Physics (9PH0), 3 papers/components (official syllabus)
OCROCR A Level Physics A (H556), 3 papers/components (official syllabus)
Cambridge May/June seriesExams run from late April to June; results are released in mid-August.
Cambridge October/November seriesExams run in October and November; results are released in mid-January.
Pearson Edexcel International A Level seriesExams are offered in January, May/June and October/November series.
UK A Levels (AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel) seriesExams run in May and June; results are released in mid-August.
Topics covered13 syllabus topics, with past-paper practice
Lesson formatLive online, 1:1 (60 min) or small group (75 min); first class free

Facts last verified:

A Level Physics leads naturally to engineering, physics, astrophysics, architecture and many computing and finance degrees, and it is often taken by students who want to keep options open between science and mathematics. It builds directly on IGCSE, O Level or GCSE Physics, but asks for far more algebra: rearranging equations, handling units and working with logarithmic or exponential relationships become everyday skills. Students who also take A Level Maths generally find the quantitative side easier.

Cambridge 9702 is staged: AS Level comprises Paper 1 multiple choice, Paper 2 structured questions and the Paper 3 lab exam, and A Level adds Paper 4 on second-year theory and Paper 5 on planning and evaluation. Pearson's International A Level splits the course into six units, including two written practical units. AQA, Edexcel 9PH0 and OCR H556 are linear, with three papers at the end of the course and practical competence recorded through a separate endorsement.

Students most often struggle with fields, capacitance and quantum ideas, where the maths is abstract and diagrams are less intuitive. Practical papers catch out even strong candidates who have never estimated uncertainty or justified a straight-line graph. Explanations also cost marks when a student writes a vague sentence instead of naming the physics principle. Our tutors pair each topic with short calculation drills, then rehearse written explanations against real mark schemes so the language becomes precise.

How is A Level Physics (9702) examined?

Papers, timings, marks and weightings from the official specification for each board we teach.

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702)

Official syllabus from Cambridge (CAIE)
PaperDurationMarksWeighting
Paper 1: Multiple Choice1 hour 15 minutes4031% of AS Level / 15.5% of A Level
Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions1 hour 15 minutes6046% of AS Level / 23% of A Level
Paper 3: Advanced Practical SkillsLaboratory-based practical exam.2 hours4023% of AS Level / 11.5% of A Level
Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions2 hours10038.5% of A Level
Paper 5: Planning, Analysis and EvaluationWritten paper on experimental design and data handling.1 hour 15 minutes3011.5% of A Level

2025–2027 syllabus. AS Level: Papers 1, 2 and 3. A Level: all five papers. Series: May/June and October/November.

Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Physics (YPH11)

Official syllabus from Pearson Edexcel
PaperDurationMarksWeighting
Unit 1 (WPH11): Mechanics and Materials1 hour 30 minutes8040% of IAS / 20% of IAL
Unit 2 (WPH12): Waves and Electricity1 hour 30 minutes8040% of IAS / 20% of IAL
Unit 3 (WPH13): Practical Skills in Physics I1 hour 20 minutes5020% of IAS / 10% of IAL
Unit 4 (WPH14): Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles1 hour 45 minutes9020% of IAL
Unit 5 (WPH15): Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology1 hour 45 minutes9020% of IAL
Unit 6 (WPH16): Practical Skills in Physics II1 hour 20 minutes5010% of IAL

Units available in January, June and October. The IAS comprises Units 1–3.

AQA A-level Physics (7408)

Official syllabus from AQA
PaperDurationMarksWeighting
Paper 160 marks of short and long answer questions and 25 multiple-choice questions.2 hours8534% of A Level
Paper 260 marks of short and long answer questions and 25 multiple-choice questions.2 hours8534% of A Level
Paper 345 marks on practical skills and data analysis; 35 marks on the optional topic.2 hours8032% of A Level

Linear: all exams in May/June of one year.

Pearson Edexcel A Level Physics (9PH0)

Official syllabus from Pearson Edexcel
PaperDurationMarksWeighting
Paper 1: Advanced Physics I1 hour 45 minutes9030% of A Level
Paper 2: Advanced Physics II1 hour 45 minutes9030% of A Level
Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Physics2 hours 30 minutes12040% of A Level

OCR A Level Physics A (H556)

Official syllabus from OCR
PaperDurationMarksWeighting
Paper 1: Modelling physics2 hours 15 minutes10037% of A Level
Paper 2: Exploring physics2 hours 15 minutes10037% of A Level
Paper 3: Unified physics1 hour 30 minutes7026% of A Level

Cambridge May/June series

Exams run from late April to June; results are released in mid-August.

Cambridge October/November series

Exams run in October and November; results are released in mid-January.

Pearson Edexcel International A Level series

Exams are offered in January, May/June and October/November series.

UK A Levels (AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel) series

Exams run in May and June; results are released in mid-August.

Exam facts last verified:

Plan your revision with our exam dates guide, the official A Level grade thresholds and where to find official past papers.

What topics are in A Level Physics?

The full syllabus, with the spots where students most often lose marks.
  1. 1

    Physical quantities, units and uncertainties

    Adding percentage uncertainties when the quantity is a difference, which needs absolute uncertainties.

  2. 2

    Kinematics and dynamics

    Treating velocity as a scalar in momentum questions and losing the direction sign.

  3. 3

    Forces, density, pressure, work, energy and power

    Taking moments about a pivot but forgetting the weight of the beam itself.

  4. 4

    Deformation of solids

    Reading the elastic limit and the limit of proportionality as the same point on a graph.

  5. 5

    Waves and superposition

    Confusing path difference with phase difference when explaining interference.

  6. 6

    Electricity and d.c. circuits

    Ignoring internal resistance when a question mentions a cell with e.m.f.

  7. 7

    Particle physics

    Not checking conservation of charge and baryon number before accepting a decay equation.

  8. 8

    Circular motion and gravitational fields

    Using the radius of the planet instead of the orbital radius in g = GM/r².

  9. 9

    Temperature, ideal gases and thermodynamics

    Leaving temperature in degrees Celsius in pV = nRT.

  10. 10

    Oscillations

    Mixing up frequency and angular frequency in simple harmonic motion equations.

  11. 11

    Electric fields, capacitance and magnetic fields

    Applying Fleming's left-hand rule to electron flow without reversing the current direction.

  12. 12

    Alternating currents, quantum and nuclear physics

    Using the peak value instead of the r.m.s. value when calculating mean power.

  13. 13

    Medical physics, astronomy and cosmology

    Describing redshift without linking it to recession velocity and the expanding universe.

Not sure which fits? Chat on WhatsApp

How do our online Physics classes work?

  1. Diagnostic

    A short check of what your child already knows against the syllabus.

  2. Topic teaching

    Clear explanations on a shared whiteboard, one topic at a time.

  3. Past-paper practice

    Exam questions from your board, timed and marked to the mark scheme.

  4. Feedback

    What went well, what to fix and what to practise before next class.

Book a free trial class

Who teaches A Level Physics?

All subject experts
  • Shoaib Rashid, Physics, Chemistry, Maths and English tutor
    • Physics
    • Chemistry
    • Mathematics

    Shoaib Rashid

    O Level · A Level · IELTS

    Master's in Physics, FUUAST Islamabad

How do you get top marks in A Level Physics?

  • Write the equation, substitute with units, then give the answer to the same number of significant figures as the data.

  • In Paper 3-style practicals, record raw readings to a consistent precision and repeat where the procedure allows.

  • For planning questions, state the independent, dependent and controlled variables explicitly and describe how each is measured.

  • When a question says 'explain', name the law or principle first, then apply it to the situation described.

  • Draw large best-fit lines and use a large triangle for gradients; small triangles lose accuracy marks.

  • Practise multiple-choice papers against the clock, because many items require a quick estimate rather than a full calculation.

How much does A Level Physics tutoring cost?

One-to-one or small group, in your currency.

Prices shown in US dollars

  • Recommended

    One-to-one

    Fully personalised to your child

    USD 35 / class

    • 60-minute live classes at times you choose
    • A plan built from a diagnostic of your child's gaps
    • Past-paper practice marked against the mark scheme
    • Progress notes for parents
  • Small group

    Up to 6 students, 8 live classes a month

    USD 10 / class

    • 75-minute live classes, 8 per month
    • Taught to your exam board and syllabus code
    • Weekly past-paper questions with feedback
    • Class recordings and notes
  • Intensive exam prep

    12 one-to-one classes a month before exams

    USD 32 / class

    • Three 60-minute classes a week
    • Timed past papers and full mock exams
    • Topic-by-topic weak-spot drills
    • Pack discount of 10% applied

Prices are per class unless shown per month: one-to-one classes are 60 minutes and group classes 75 minutes. Your trial class is free and doesn't turn into a paid plan by itself. Pricing FAQ

A Level Physics FAQs

How can I get an A* in A Level Physics?

An A* in A Level Physics comes from mastering the calculations, writing precise explanations and practising the practical-skills papers as seriously as the theory papers. Work through topic questions until standard methods are automatic, then sit full timed papers. Study mark schemes to learn the exact phrases that score. In Cambridge 9702, Papers 3 and 5 reward specific techniques that improve quickly with deliberate practice.

Is A Level Physics hard?

A Level Physics is widely seen as demanding because it combines abstract ideas with heavy mathematical problem-solving. The jump from IGCSE or GCSE is significant, especially in fields, quantum physics and data analysis. Students who keep up with Maths, practise questions weekly and ask about misunderstandings early tend to manage it well. Regular past-paper work makes unfamiliar question styles much less intimidating.

What are Paper 3 and Paper 5 in A Level Physics?

In Cambridge 9702, Paper 3 is the two-hour Advanced Practical Skills exam taken in a laboratory, and Paper 5 is a written Planning, Analysis and Evaluation paper. Paper 3 tests taking measurements, recording data, plotting graphs and estimating uncertainty. Paper 5 asks you to design an experiment and analyse given data. Together they are worth 23% of the A Level.

Which A Level subjects go well with Physics?

Mathematics is the most natural partner for A Level Physics, and Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Computer Science also combine well. Maths supports the calculations and is required for most physics and engineering degrees. Chemistry suits students considering materials science or medicine, while Computer Science fits careers in software and electronics. Check the entry requirements of your intended courses before deciding.

Can I take A Level Physics without Maths?

You can take A Level Physics without A Level Maths, but you will need confident algebra, trigonometry and graph skills from IGCSE, O Level or GCSE. Physics uses logarithms, exponentials and rearranging equations throughout. Many physics and engineering degrees also require A Level Maths, so dropping it may limit your options. If you go ahead without Maths, budget extra time for mathematical practice.

Still deciding? Ask us on WhatsApp

Try a free A Level Physics class

Tell us the curriculum and subject. We'll match a specialist tutor in your timezone.