TWENTY-FIRST-CENTURY-SCIENCE-PHYSICS-B-J259 · Cambridge OCR GCSE (9–1)
TWENTY-FIRST-CENTURY-SCIENCE-PHYSICS-B-J259/31
Higher Tier
Twenty First Century Science Physics B · June 2022 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: OCR
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
180
210 min
How can we describe motion in terms of energy transfers? (Explaining motion)
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
180
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The June 2022 OCR GCSE Physics B (J259) series presented an accessible yet challenging combination of papers.
Across both tiers, the breadth papers successfully assessed core knowledge, while the depth papers required students to extend their answers to practical contexts and multi-step math calculations.
The difficulty is graded at a 3.5 out of 5, reflecting the presence of demanding scientific reasoning alongside straightforward mathematical applications.
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%Practical & Experimental
Weight: 583%Scientific Reasoning
Weight: 350%Analysis & G
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 9
Approx. 66% of maximum mark
Level 8
Approx. 57% of maximum mark
Level 7
Approx. 48% of maximum mark
Level 6
Approx. 38% of maximum mark
Level 5
Approx. 29% of maximum mark
Level 4
Approx. 19% of maximum mark
Level 3
Approx. 14% 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.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
Identify similarities and differences explicitly — paired sentences or a table helps.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.2
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
How can we describe motion in terms of energy transfers? (Explaining motion)
35 marks this session
How does the particle model relate to pressure in fluids? (Matter – models and explanations)
21 marks this session
What happens when light and sound meet different materials? (Radiation and waves)
19 marks this session
What determines the current in an electric circuit? (Electric circuits)
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
How can we describe motion in terms of energy transfers? (Explaining motion)
What determines the current in an electric circuit? (Electric circuits)
What is the connection between forces and motion? (Explaining motion)
How much energy do we use? (Sustainable energy)
How does the particle model relate to material under stress? (Matter – models and explanations)
How does the particle model explain the effects of heating? (Matter – models and explanations)
How does the particle model relate to pressure in fluids? (Matter – models and explanations)
What happens when light and sound meet different materials? (Radiation and waves)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
J259/03 Breadth in physics (Higher Tier): J259/04 Depth in physics (Higher Tier):
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
How can we describe motion in terms of energy transfers? (Explaining motion)
35 marks this session
Practise in RevuiHow does the particle model relate to pressure in fluids? (Matter – models and explanations)
21 marks this session
Practise in RevuiWhat happens when light and sound meet different materials? (Radiation and waves)
19 marks this session
Practise in RevuiWhat determines the current in an electric circuit? (Electric circuits)
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 June 2022 OCR GCSE Physics B (J259) series presented an accessible yet challenging combination of papers.
- 2Message
Across both tiers, the breadth papers successfully assessed core knowledge, while the depth papers required students to extend their answers to practical contexts and multi-step math calculations.
- 3Message
The difficulty is graded at a 3.5 out of 5, reflecting the presence of demanding scientific reasoning alongside straightforward mathematical applications.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
June 2022 2022
Twenty First Century Science Physics B
The June 2022 OCR GCSE Physics B (J259) series presented an accessible yet challenging combination of papers. Across both tiers, the breadth papers successfully assessed core knowledge, while the depth papers required students to extend their answers to practical contexts and mul
The June 2022 OCR GCSE Physics B (J259) series presented an accessible yet challenging combination of papers.
Across both tiers, the breadth papers successfully assessed core knowledge, while the depth papers required students to extend their answers to practical contexts and multi-step math calculations.
The difficulty is graded at a 3.5 out of 5, reflecting the presence of demanding scientific reasoning alongside straightforward mathematical applications.
- Total marks
- 180
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The June 2022 OCR GCSE Physics B (J259) series presented an accessible yet challenging combination of papers. Across both tiers, the breadth papers successfully assessed core knowledge, while the depth papers required students to extend their answers to practical contexts and multi-step math calculations. The difficulty is graded at a 3.5 out of 5, reflecting the presence of demanding scientific reasoning alongside straightforward mathematical applications.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
J259/03 Breadth in physics (Higher Tier): J259/04 Depth in physics (Higher Tier):
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.
72% 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.
Short Answer & Structured
116·35·64%
Graph Plotting & Data Interpretation
36·10·20%
Multiple Choice / Tick Box
16·12·9%
Extended Response
(Level of Response)
12·2·7%
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.
J259/03 Breadth (Hi
0.86 m/minJ259/04 Depth (High
0.86 m/minTotal marks
180
Total time
210 min
Avg pace
0.86
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Climate change evidence & greenhouse radiation
85%85%
Specific heat capacity & latent heat practical investigations
80%80%
Electromagnetic induction & transformers
75%75%
The 2022 Difficulty Verdict
The June 2022 OCR GCSE Physics B (J259) series presented an accessible yet challenging combination of papers. Across both tiers, the breadth papers successfully assessed core knowledge, while the depth papers required students to extend their answers to practical contexts and multi-step math calculations. The difficulty is graded at a 3.5 out of 5, reflecting the presence of demanding scientific reasoning alongside straightforward mathematical applications.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Irradiation vs. Contamination: Many students falsely believed that a patient remains radioactive (contaminated) after radiotherapy. Examiners emphasized that irradiation does not make an object a source of radiation.
- Forced Best-Fit Lines: In the diode current-voltage characteristics question, many candidates drew straight lines of best fit or forced curves through the origin, which contradicted the experimental data.
- Thermal Insulation Misconceptions: A recurring pitfall was agreeing with the idea that thermal insulation increases motor efficiency. In reality, trapping heat increases motor temperature, raising the resistance of the copper windings and thereby reducing efficiency.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 45min
- Total marks
- 90
- Weighting
- 50%
- Question types
- Multiple Choice / Tick-box, Short Answer / Matching, Calculations (Structured quantitative)
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.