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PHYSICS-B-ADVANCING-PHYSICS-H157 · Cambridge OCR AS Level

PHYSICS-B-ADVANCING-PHYSICS-H157/21

Physics in Depth (Paper 2)

Physics B Advancing Physics · June 2023 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.8/5

Analysis source: OCR

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.8 / 5

Total marks

140

Duration

180 min

Most tested topic

Waves and quantum behaviour

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

140

Duration

180 min

Session difficulty

3.8 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

Comprehensive exam analysis of OCR AS Level Physics B (Advancing Physics) June 2023 papers, covering structural components, mark distributions across the core six chapters, candidate performance indicators, and structural mock blueprint specs.

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

Mathematical6
Practical & Experimental5
Physical Explanation3
Estimation &1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

MathematicalMathematicalPractical & ExperimentalPractical &ExperimentalPhysical ExplanationPhysicalExplanationEstimation &Estimation &
SkillWeightShare
  • Mathematical

    Weight: 6100%
  • Practical & Experimental

    Weight: 583%
  • Physical Explanation

    Weight: 350%
  • Estimation &

    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

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: 20

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

ExplainFrequency: 13

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

StateFrequency: 6

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

DescribeFrequency: 5

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

ShowFrequency: 5

Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.

SuggestFrequency: 3

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

DrawFrequency: 2

Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.

EvaluateFrequency: 1

Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

No data available in official reports

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Waves and quantum behaviour

32 marks this session

Sensing

29 marks this session

Imaging and signalling

24 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

Waves and quantum behaviour

38
32
40
110

Sensing

29
18
47

Space, time and motion

42
42

Imaging and signalling

24
24

Fundamental data analysis

18
18

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202220232024
2022 June 2022 · 4.0/52023 June 2023 · 3.8/52024 June 2024 · 3.6/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

H157/01 Foundations of physics: H157/02 Physics in depth:

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

    Comprehensive exam analysis of OCR AS Level Physics B (Advancing Physics) June 2023 papers, covering structural components, mark distributions across the core six chapters, candidate performance indicators, and structural mock blueprint specs.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2023 2023

Physics B Advancing Physics

Comprehensive exam analysis of OCR AS Level Physics B (Advancing Physics) June 2023 papers, covering structural components, mark distributions across the core six chapters, candidate performance indicators, and structural mock blueprint specs.

  • Comprehensive exam analysis of OCR AS Level Physics B (Advancing Physics) June 2023 papers, covering structural components, mark distributions across the core six chapters, candidate performance indicators, and structural mock blueprint specs.

Total marks
140
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5

Session analysis

Comprehensive exam analysis of OCR AS Level Physics B (Advancing Physics) June 2023 papers, covering structural components, mark distributions across the core six chapters, candidate performance indicators, and structural mock blueprint specs.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

H157/01 Foundations of physics: H157/02 Physics in depth:

70 marks90 min

Top chapters

Waves and quantum behaviour32 marks
Sensing29 marks
Imaging and signalling24 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Imaging and signalling24 marks
Sensing29 marks
Fundamental data analysis15 marks
Mechanical properties of materi21 marks
Space, time and motion19 marks
Waves and quantum behaviour32 marks

Mark accessibility

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

75% within easy or medium reach

45
60
35
Easy: 45 marksMedium: 60 marksHard: 35 marks

Command word frequency

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

Calculate20 times
Explain13 times
State6 times
Describe5 times
Show5 times
Suggest3 times
Draw2 times
Evaluate1 times

Question type mix

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

140Marks
  • Short Structured

    49·18·35%

  • Long Structured

    45·5·32%

  • Level of Response

    26·3·19%

  • Multiple Choice

    20·20·14%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Waves and quantum …Imaging and signal…Space, time and mo…Fundamental data a…SensingMechanical propert…

Next-year prediction

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

Space, time and motion

5%

5%

Mechanical properties of materials

4%

4%

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 30min
Total marks
70
Weighting
50%
Question types
Structured Explanation & Calculation, Extended Analysis & Calculations, Comprehensive Data Task & Level of Response

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

PHYSICS-B-ADVANCING-PHYSICS-H157/21 — Cambridge OCR AS Level Physics B Advancing Physics (June 2023) | Revui