7407 · AQA AS Level
7407/21
(Practical Skills, Theory and Multiple Choice)
Physics · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
4.0 / 5
140
180 min
Force, energy and momentum
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
140
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
4.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The 2024 AQA AS Physics series (Papers 1 and 2) balanced standard mathematical derivations with taxing conceptual requirements.
While Paper 1 tested core theory with high demands on descriptive accuracy—especially in the nuclear and mechanical modules—Paper 2 required sharp graphical interpolation, error analysis, and the integration of diverse topics like energy storage systems and thin-wedge optical interference.
Combined, they form a challenging Grade 4/5 difficulty curve that highly penalized superficial preparation.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Mathematical
Weight: 9100%Graphical
Weight: 889%Analysis
Weight: 778%Practical & Numerical Skills
Weight: 667%Uncertainty Logical
Weight: 556%Scientifi
Weight: 333%Recall & Understanding
Weight: 222%Identification
Weight: 111%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level A
Approx. 56% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 49% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 42% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 35% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 29% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.4
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Force, energy and momentum
46 marks this session
Limitation of physical measurements
20 marks this session
Particles
17 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Force, energy and momentum
Current electricity
Particles
Refraction, diffraction and interference
Limitation of physical measurements
Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1:
Paper 2:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Force, energy and momentum
46 marks this session
Practise in RevuiLimitation of physical measurements
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiParticles
17 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The 2024 AQA AS Physics series (Papers 1 and 2) balanced standard mathematical derivations with taxing conceptual requirements.
- 2Message
While Paper 1 tested core theory with high demands on descriptive accuracy—especially in the nuclear and mechanical modules—Paper 2 required sharp graphical interpolation, error analysis, and the integration of diverse topics like energy storage systems and thin-wedge optical interference.
- 3Message
Combined, they form a challenging Grade 4/5 difficulty curve that highly penalized superficial preparation.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Physics
The 2024 AQA AS Physics series (Papers 1 and 2) balanced standard mathematical derivations with taxing conceptual requirements. While Paper 1 tested core theory with high demands on descriptive accuracy—especially in the nuclear and mechanical modules—Paper 2 required sharp graph
The 2024 AQA AS Physics series (Papers 1 and 2) balanced standard mathematical derivations with taxing conceptual requirements.
While Paper 1 tested core theory with high demands on descriptive accuracy—especially in the nuclear and mechanical modules—Paper 2 required sharp graphical interpolation, error analysis, and the integration of diverse topics like energy storage systems and thin-wedge optical interference.
Combined, they form a challenging Grade 4/5 difficulty curve that highly penalized superficial preparation.
- Total marks
- 140
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 4.0 / 5
Session analysis
The 2024 AQA AS Physics series (Papers 1 and 2) balanced standard mathematical derivations with taxing conceptual requirements. While Paper 1 tested core theory with high demands on descriptive accuracy—especially in the nuclear and mechanical modules—Paper 2 required sharp graphical interpolation, error analysis, and the integration of diverse topics like energy storage systems and thin-wedge optical interference. Combined, they form a challenging Grade 4/5 difficulty curve that highly penalized superficial preparation.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1:
Paper 2:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
79% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Short Answer
74·28·53%
Multiple Choice
30·30·21%
Structured Long Answer
30·10·21%
Level of Response
6·1·4%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Questions 1…
0.74 m/minPaper 1 Questions 4…
0.80 m/minPaper 2 Section A (…
0.67 m/minPaper 2 Section B (…
0.86 m/minTotal marks
107
Total time
140 min
Avg pace
0.76
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Current electricity (Internal Resistance & EMF Practical)
5%5%
Quantum phenomena (Photoelectric Effect Practical & Graphs)
4%4%
Materials (Young Modulus determination)
4%4%
Executive Difficulty Verdict
The 2024 AQA AS Physics series (Papers 1 and 2) balanced standard mathematical derivations with taxing conceptual requirements. While Paper 1 tested core theory with high demands on descriptive accuracy—especially in the nuclear and mechanical modules—Paper 2 required sharp graphical interpolation, error analysis, and the integration of diverse topics like energy storage systems and thin-wedge optical interference. Combined, they form a challenging Grade 4/5 difficulty curve that highly penalized superficial preparation.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Uncertainty Arithmetic: In Paper 2, many students struggled to explain why the absolute uncertainty in the trolley displacement was ±2 mm \pm 2\text{ mm} ±2 mm, missing the crucial point that a displacement measurement is a difference between two individual readings, each carrying a ±1 mm \pm 1\text{ mm} ±1 mm uncertainty.
- Scale Reading and Units: Non-standard graph scale divisions frequently led to incorrect force and velocity values. Practising on high-resolution grid plots is non-negotiable.
- Targeted Descriptive Frameworks: For 'Explain' or 'Deduce' questions, structure your answers sequentially. For instance, in wave boundary questions, always explicitly state which parameters (such as frequency or string length) remain constant first.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 70
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Data Analysis & Graphical Interpretation, Structured Calculation & Explanation, Multiple Choice
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.