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PHYSICS · HKDSE

PHYSICS/11

(Core Curriculum)

Physics · 2022 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.7/5

Analysis source: Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA)

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.7 / 5

Total marks

153

Duration

210 min

Most tested topic

Electromagnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

153

Duration

210 min

Session difficulty

3.7 / 5

Level 5**

~85% of max

Level 5*

~76% of max

Level 5

~67% of max

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The 2022 HKDSE Physics paper maintained a high standard, testing both fundamental concepts and deep analytical skills. While the calculation-heavy questions were mostly standard, candidates faced substantial hurdles in questions requiring precise scientific vocabulary and multi-s

2

High-scoring students secured solid marks in Paper 1B Q2 (Gases) and Q8 (Circuits) by applying standard equations like pV=nRT pV = nRT pV=nRT and performing systematic load-line graphical analysis.

3

The Convex Lens Ray Diagram (Q5) was another high-yield area where precision rewarded candidates with straightforward marks.

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

Mathematical & Calculation6
Conceptual Explanation5
Experimental3
Graphical Construction2

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Mathematical & CalculationMathematical &CalculationConceptual ExplanationConceptualExplanationExperimentalExperimentalGraphical ConstructionGraphicalConstruction
SkillWeightShare
  • Mathematical & Calculation

    Weight: 6100%
  • Conceptual Explanation

    Weight: 583%
  • Experimental

    Weight: 350%
  • Graphical Construction

    Weight: 233%

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

Reporting source

HKEAA Subject Examination Report — comments on candidates’ performance with marking schemes

Level 5**

Outstanding — competitive JUPAS programmes (medicine, law, top faculties)

Level 5*

Excellent — strong JUPAS profile for selective programmes

Level 5

Good — meets most university entrance requirements

Level 4

Satisfactory — foundation programmes or less selective routes

Level 3

Pass threshold for many sub-degree and vocational pathways

Admission context

Levels feed JUPAS and non-JUPAS university applications; 5** and 5* are most selective

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

DescribeFrequency: 24

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

DetermineFrequency: 27

Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.

SuggestFrequency: 14

Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 1 Section B (…30m / 18 marks

Min per mark: 1.7

Paper 2 Section B (…30m / 18 marks

Min per mark: 1.7

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Electromagnetism & electromagnetic induction

18 marks this session

Photoelectric effect (Atomic World Elective)

14 marks this session

Circuits and Domestic Electricity

12 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

LowHigh
Topic
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Light: reflection, refraction, diffraction, lenses (Wave Motion)

19
14
33

Circuits and Domestic Electricity

12
4
13
29

Circuits and Domestic Electricity (Electricity and Magnetism)

13
12
25

Electromagnetism & electromagnetic induction (Electricity and Magnetism)

11
13
24

Nature and Properties of Waves

4
15
19

Electromagnetism & electromagnetic induction

18
18

Photoelectric effect (Atomic World Elective)

14
14

Light: reflection, refraction, diffraction, lenses

13
13

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

20212022202320242025
2021 2021 · 3.6/52022 2022 · 3.7/52023 2023 · 3.8/52024 2024 · 3.4/52025 2025 · 3.8/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1 (Core):

117 marks150 min

Paper 2 (Electives - Attempted 2 of 4):

36 marks60 min

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

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    The 2022 HKDSE Physics paper maintained a high standard, testing both fundamental concepts and deep analytical skills. While the calculation-heavy questions were mostly standard, candidates faced substantial hurdles in questions requiring precise scientific vocabulary and multi-s

  • 2Message

    High-scoring students secured solid marks in Paper 1B Q2 (Gases) and Q8 (Circuits) by applying standard equations like pV=nRT pV = nRT pV=nRT and performing systematic load-line graphical analysis.

  • 3Message

    The Convex Lens Ray Diagram (Q5) was another high-yield area where precision rewarded candidates with straightforward marks.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2022 2022

Physics

High-scoring students secured solid marks in Paper 1B Q2 (Gases) and Q8 (Circuits) by applying standard equations like pV=nRT pV = nRT pV=nRT and performing systematic load-line graphical analysis. The Convex Lens Ray Diagram (Q5) was another high-yield area where precision rewar

  • The 2022 HKDSE Physics paper maintained a high standard, testing both fundamental concepts and deep analytical skills. While the calculation-heavy questions were mostly standard, candidates faced substantial hurdles in questions requiring precise scientific vocabulary and multi-s

  • High-scoring students secured solid marks in Paper 1B Q2 (Gases) and Q8 (Circuits) by applying standard equations like pV=nRT pV = nRT pV=nRT and performing systematic load-line graphical analysis.

  • The Convex Lens Ray Diagram (Q5) was another high-yield area where precision rewarded candidates with straightforward marks.

Total marks
153
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.7 / 5
Level 5**
~85% of max
Level 5*
~76% of max
Level 5
~67% of max

Session analysis

High-scoring students secured solid marks in Paper 1B Q2 (Gases) and Q8 (Circuits) by applying standard equations like pV=nRT pV = nRT pV=nRT and performing systematic load-line graphical analysis. The Convex Lens Ray Diagram (Q5) was another high-yield area where precision rewarded candidates with straightforward marks.

Updated Jun 11, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1 (Core):

117 marks150 min

Paper 2 (Electives - Attempted 2 of 4):

36 marks60 min

Top chapters

Electromagnetism & electromagnetic induction18 marks
Photoelectric effect (Atomic World Elective)14 marks
Circuits and Domestic Electricity12 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Transfer processes: conduction,8 marks
Gases: laws and kinetic theory11 marks
Uniform circular motion and gra9 marks
Force and Newton’s laws6 marks
Work, Energy and Power8 marks
Light: reflection, refraction,11 marks
Sound waves10 marks
Electromagnetism & electromagne18 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

77% within easy or medium reach

48
70
35
Easy: 48 marksMedium: 70 marksHard: 35 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Describe24 times
Determine27 times
Suggest14 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

153Marks
  • Structured/Conventional

    (Core + Elective)

    104·12·68%

  • Multiple Choice

    (Core + Elective)

    49·49·32%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Circuits and Domes…Gases: laws and ki…Light: reflection,…Electromagnetism &…

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 Section A (…

m/min
841
0

Paper 1 Section B (…

0.60 m/min
18
30

Paper 2 Section B (…

0.60 m/min
18
30

Total marks

877

Total time

60 min

Avg pace

14.62

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Momentum and Collisions (2D)

85%

85%

Wave Interference and Diffraction Gratings

80%

80%

Examiner notes & key calculations

  • Action-Reaction Confusion: In Q3 (Quadcopter), many failed to identify that the downward force on air and the upward thrust on the quadcopter are an action-reaction pair acting on different bodies.
  • EMF vs. Potential Difference: In Q9 (Moving Loop), candidates frequently confused the induced e.m.f. with the potential difference across YZ, ignoring the internal resistance of the moving conductor.
  • Experimental Logic: In Q7, explaining why magnets are placed underneath the cardboard required practical awareness—filings directly touching the magnet are near-impossible to clean.

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
2h 30min
Total marks
117
Weighting
60%
Question types
MCQ, Short Question, Long Question

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

PHYSICS/11 — HKDSE Physics (2022) | Revui