9702 · Cambridge International A Level
9702/23
AS Level Structured Questions
Physics · June 2024 · Variant 3
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
3.8 / 5
270
465 min
D.C. Circuits & Experimental Analysis
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
270
Duration
465 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2024 Physics (9702) papers present a balanced challenge for students.
While standard recall questions are present in both AS and A-Level papers, the structured questions demand exceptional mathematical precision and a deep conceptual grip on physical models.
Paper 23 was highly accessible with standard projectile and circuit configurations, whereas Paper 43 tested boundary concepts like X-ray attenuation, capacitor discharge mechanics, and standard candles in cosmology.
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: 8100%Conceptual Explanation
Weight: 788%Experimental
Weight: 563%Graphical
Weight: 450%Analysis
Weight: 338%Recall of Definitions
Weight: 225%
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
Cambridge Principal Examiner Report — component performance and international standards
Level A*
Approx. 79% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 69% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 58% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 49% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 39% 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 “Determine” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
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: 2.5
Min per mark: 1.9
Min per mark: 1.3
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Practical Skills (Paper 3)
40 marks this session
Doppler effect for sound waves
17 marks this session
Errors and uncertainties
17 marks this session
Kinematics (AS Level Physics)
16 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
Errors and uncertainties
Errors and uncertainties (Physical quantities and units)
Practical circuits (D.C. circuits)
Forces, density and pressure (AS Level Physics)
Simple harmonic oscillations (Oscillations)
Electricity (AS Level Physics)
Fundamental particles
Doppler effect for sound waves (Waves)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 13 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 23 (AS Level Structured):
Paper 33 (Advanced Practical Skills 1):
Paper 43 (A Level Structured):
Paper 53 (Planning, Analysis & Evaluation):
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
Practical Skills (Paper 3)
40 marks this session
Practise in RevuiDoppler effect for sound waves
17 marks this session
Practise in RevuiErrors and uncertainties
17 marks this session
Practise in RevuiKinematics (AS Level Physics)
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2024 Physics (9702) papers present a balanced challenge for students.
- 2Message
While standard recall questions are present in both AS and A-Level papers, the structured questions demand exceptional mathematical precision and a deep conceptual grip on physical models.
- 3Message
Paper 23 was highly accessible with standard projectile and circuit configurations, whereas Paper 43 tested boundary concepts like X-ray attenuation, capacitor discharge mechanics, and standard candles in cosmology.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Physics
The May/June 2024 Physics (9702) papers present a balanced challenge for students. While standard recall questions are present in both AS and A-Level papers, the structured questions demand exceptional mathematical precision and a deep conceptual grip on physical models. Paper 23
The May/June 2024 Physics (9702) papers present a balanced challenge for students.
While standard recall questions are present in both AS and A-Level papers, the structured questions demand exceptional mathematical precision and a deep conceptual grip on physical models.
Paper 23 was highly accessible with standard projectile and circuit configurations, whereas Paper 43 tested boundary concepts like X-ray attenuation, capacitor discharge mechanics, and standard candles in cosmology.
- Total marks
- 270
- Duration
- 465 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2024 Physics (9702) papers present a balanced challenge for students. While standard recall questions are present in both AS and A-Level papers, the structured questions demand exceptional mathematical precision and a deep conceptual grip on physical models. Paper 23 was highly accessible with standard projectile and circuit configurations, whereas Paper 43 tested boundary concepts like X-ray attenuation, capacitor discharge mechanics, and standard candles in cosmology.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 13 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 23 (AS Level Structured):
Paper 33 (Advanced Practical Skills 1):
Paper 43 (A Level Structured):
Paper 53 (Planning, Analysis & Evaluation):
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.
74% 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.
Structured Theory Questions
160·16·59%
Practical Investigations
70·4·26%
Multiple Choice
40·40·15%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 (MCQ)
0.53 m/minPaper 2 (AS Structu
0.80 m/minPaper 5 (Planning &
0.40 m/minTotal marks
130
Total time
225 min
Avg pace
0.58
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Electromagnetic Induction & Faraday's Law
90%90%
Wave Superposition & Young's Double Slit
85%85%
Specific Heat & Latent Heat Capacity
80%80%
Difficulty Verdict: Balanced but Mathematically Rigorous
The May/June 2024 Physics (9702) papers present a balanced challenge for students. While standard recall questions are present in both AS and A-Level papers, the structured questions demand exceptional mathematical precision and a deep conceptual grip on physical models. Paper 23 was highly accessible with standard projectile and circuit configurations, whereas Paper 43 tested boundary concepts like X-ray attenuation, capacitor discharge mechanics, and standard candles in cosmology.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- The Sign of Potential: Examiners repeatedly highlight that potential is zero at infinity, and as work is done by the field bringing a mass closer, the potential must be negative.
- Discrete vs. Continuous Spectra: In nuclear decay, students must explicitly contrast the discrete kinetic energy of alpha particles with the continuous spectrum of beta particles caused by neutrino energy-sharing.
- Graph Traps in Paper 53: Drawing lines of best fit thicker than half a small square, using awkward scales, or omitting power-of-ten multipliers from gradient calculations continues to limit top-tier performance.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 15min
- Total marks
- 60
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.