9702 · Cambridge International A Level
9702/31
Advanced Practical Skills
Physics · June 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Cambridge Assessment International Education
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
270
465 min
D.C. circuits and practical experiment implementations
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
270
Duration
465 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The Summer 2024 series of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702) presented a moderate-to-challenging testing suite across all components.
Paper 11 offered accessible multiple-choice questions, but it was balanced by a highly mathematical Paper 21, where complex multi-step mechanics calculations and algebraic manipulations tested structural logic limits.
Advanced Level components (Paper 41 and 51) maintained rigorous depth, particularly in gravitational fields, temperature scales, and Doppler frequency linearization techniques.
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: 6100%Graphical Analysis
Weight: 583%Theory, Explanation
Weight: 350%Experimental
Weight: 117%
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. 77% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 68% 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.
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 “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 20
Min per mark: 2.5
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 0
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Practical circuits (D.C. circuits)
30 marks this session
Simple harmonic oscillations (Oscillations)
21 marks this session
Doppler effect for sound waves (Waves)
16 marks this session
Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat (Temperature)
15 marks this session
Production and use of X-rays (Medical physics)
13 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)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 11 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 21 (AS Level Structured):
Paper 31 (Advanced Practical Skills 1):
Paper 41 (A Level Structured):
Paper 51 (Planning, Analysis and 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 circuits (D.C. circuits)
30 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSimple harmonic oscillations (Oscillations)
21 marks this session
Practise in RevuiDoppler effect for sound waves (Waves)
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSpecific heat capacity and specific latent heat (Temperature)
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiProduction and use of X-rays (Medical physics)
13 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The Summer 2024 series of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702) presented a moderate-to-challenging testing suite across all components.
- 2Message
Paper 11 offered accessible multiple-choice questions, but it was balanced by a highly mathematical Paper 21, where complex multi-step mechanics calculations and algebraic manipulations tested structural logic limits.
- 3Message
Advanced Level components (Paper 41 and 51) maintained rigorous depth, particularly in gravitational fields, temperature scales, and Doppler frequency linearization techniques.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2024 2024
Physics
The Summer 2024 series of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702) presented a moderate-to-challenging testing suite across all components. Paper 11 offered accessible multiple-choice questions, but it was balanced by a highly mathematical Paper 21, where complex m
The Summer 2024 series of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702) presented a moderate-to-challenging testing suite across all components.
Paper 11 offered accessible multiple-choice questions, but it was balanced by a highly mathematical Paper 21, where complex multi-step mechanics calculations and algebraic manipulations tested structural logic limits.
Advanced Level components (Paper 41 and 51) maintained rigorous depth, particularly in gravitational fields, temperature scales, and Doppler frequency linearization techniques.
- Total marks
- 270
- Duration
- 465 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The Summer 2024 series of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702) presented a moderate-to-challenging testing suite across all components. Paper 11 offered accessible multiple-choice questions, but it was balanced by a highly mathematical Paper 21, where complex multi-step mechanics calculations and algebraic manipulations tested structural logic limits. Advanced Level components (Paper 41 and 51) maintained rigorous depth, particularly in gravitational fields, temperature scales, and Doppler frequency linearization techniques.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 11 (Multiple Choice):
Paper 21 (AS Level Structured):
Paper 31 (Advanced Practical Skills 1):
Paper 41 (A Level Structured):
Paper 51 (Planning, Analysis and 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 and Calculation
160·17·59%
Practical Investigation and Graphing
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.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 11 Multiple C…
0.80 m/minPaper 21 AS Structu…
20.05 m/minPaper 31 Practical …1
0.05 m/minPaper 41 A Level St…
0.40 m/minTotal marks
492
Total time
190 min
Avg pace
2.59
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Diffraction Grating Double-Slit Derivations
85%85%
Alternating Currents RMS Power Equations
78%78%
May/June 2024 Exam Analysis & Examiner Insights
The Summer 2024 series of the Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702) presented a moderate-to-challenging testing suite across all components. Paper 11 offered accessible multiple-choice questions, but it was balanced by a highly mathematical Paper 21, where complex multi-step mechanics calculations and algebraic manipulations tested structural logic limits. Advanced Level components (Paper 41 and 51) maintained rigorous depth, particularly in gravitational fields, temperature scales, and Doppler frequency linearization techniques.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h
- Total marks
- 40
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.