Back to subject papers

PHYSICS-A-H156 · Cambridge OCR AS Level

PHYSICS-A-H156/21

Paper 2

Physics A - H156 · 2024 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Standard · 3.4/5

Analysis source: OCR

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.4 / 5

Total marks

140

Duration

180 min

Most tested topic

Making measurements and analysing data

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

140

Duration

180 min

Session difficulty

3.4 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

An analysis of the 2024 OCR AS Level Physics A (H156) series, comprising Paper 1 (Breadth in Physics) and Paper 2 (Depth in Physics).

2

The papers cover key core principles including experimental uncertainties, wave mechanics, potential dividers, and kinematics, presenting a balanced mix of multiple-choice and complex structured questions.

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

Quantitative6
Experimental &5
Qualitative Explanation4
Graphical & Practical Skills2
Diagrams1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

QuantitativeQuantitativeExperimental &Experimental &Qualitative ExplanationQualitativeExplanationGraphical & Practical SkillsGraphical &Practical SkillsDiagramsDiagrams
SkillWeightShare
  • Quantitative

    Weight: 6100%
  • Experimental &

    Weight: 583%
  • Qualitative Explanation

    Weight: 467%
  • Graphical & Practical Skills

    Weight: 233%
  • Diagrams

    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

Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary

Level A

Approx. 72% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 63% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 54% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 45% of maximum mark

Level E

Approx. 36% 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

CalculateFrequency: 18

Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.

ExplainFrequency: 12

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

DescribeFrequency: 4

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

StateFrequency: 5

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

ShowFrequency: 7

Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 1 Section A (…65m / 50 marks

Min per mark: 1.3

Paper 1 Section B (…90m / 70 marks

Min per mark: 1.3

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Measurements and uncertainties (Making measurements and analysing data)

18 marks this session

Wave motion (Waves)

16 marks this session

Equilibrium (Forces in action)

15 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
2022
2023
2024
Σ

Measurements and uncertainties (Making measurements and analysing data)

16
15
18
49

Wave motion (Waves)

12
16
28

Equilibrium (Forces in action)

10
15
25

The photoelectric effect (Quantum physics)

21
21

Kinematics (Motion)

16
16

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202220232024
2022 2022 · 3.2/52023 2023 · 3.7/52024 2024 · 3.4/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

H156/01 Breadth in Physics: H156/02 Depth in Physics:

70 marks90 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

    An analysis of the 2024 OCR AS Level Physics A (H156) series, comprising Paper 1 (Breadth in Physics) and Paper 2 (Depth in Physics).

  • 2Message

    The papers cover key core principles including experimental uncertainties, wave mechanics, potential dividers, and kinematics, presenting a balanced mix of multiple-choice and complex structured questions.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2024 2024

Physics A - H156

An analysis of the 2024 OCR AS Level Physics A (H156) series, comprising Paper 1 (Breadth in Physics) and Paper 2 (Depth in Physics). The papers cover key core principles including experimental uncertainties, wave mechanics, potential dividers, and kinematics, presenting a balanc

  • An analysis of the 2024 OCR AS Level Physics A (H156) series, comprising Paper 1 (Breadth in Physics) and Paper 2 (Depth in Physics).

  • The papers cover key core principles including experimental uncertainties, wave mechanics, potential dividers, and kinematics, presenting a balanced mix of multiple-choice and complex structured questions.

Total marks
140
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5

Session analysis

An analysis of the 2024 OCR AS Level Physics A (H156) series, comprising Paper 1 (Breadth in Physics) and Paper 2 (Depth in Physics). The papers cover key core principles including experimental uncertainties, wave mechanics, potential dividers, and kinematics, presenting a balanced mix of multiple-choice and complex structured questions.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

H156/01 Breadth in Physics: H156/02 Depth in Physics:

70 marks90 min

Top chapters

Measurements and uncertainties (Making measurements and analysing data)18 marks
Wave motion (Waves)16 marks
Equilibrium (Forces in action)15 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Measurements and uncertainties18 marks
Wave motion (Waves)16 marks
Equilibrium (Forces in action)15 marks
Kinematics (Motion)11 marks
Potential dividers (Electrical8 marks
Collisions (Newton’s laws of mo8 marks
Internal resistance (Electrical7 marks
The photoelectric effect (Quant7 marks

Mark accessibility

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

79% within easy or medium reach

45
65
30
Easy: 45 marksMedium: 65 marksHard: 30 marks

Command word frequency

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

Calculate18 times
Explain12 times
Describe4 times
State5 times
Show7 times

Question type mix

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

140Marks
  • Structured / Mathematical / Practical

    (Section B)

    120·14·86%

  • Multiple Choice Questions

    (Section A)

    20·20·14%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Measurements and u…Wave motionEquilibriumKinematics

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 Section A (…

0.77 m/min
50
65

Paper 1 Section B (…

0.78 m/min
70
90

Total marks

120

Total time

155 min

Avg pace

0.77

Next-year prediction

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

Mechanical properties of matter (Materials)

90%

90%

Superposition (Waves)

85%

85%

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

PHYSICS-A-H156/21 — Cambridge OCR AS Level Physics A - H156 (2024) | Revui