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9630 · Oxford AQA International A Level

9630/21

Paper 2

Physics · June 2025 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.8/5

Analysis source: Oxford AQA

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.8 / 5

Total marks

400

Duration

600 min

Most tested topic

Practical Physics and Physical Measurements

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

400

Duration

600 min

Session difficulty

3.8 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

Consolidated analysis of the June 2025 Oxford AQA International AS/A-Level Physics series (Units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5).

2

The exams featured a rigorous blend of fundamental mechanics, waves, electromagnetism, fields, thermal physics, and practical skills.

3

Outstanding features include the deep emphasis on experimental uncertainties and graphical slope analysis in Unit 5.

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 & Calculation8
Experimental7
Physical Conceptual6
Graphical Analysis4
Units &2
Base C1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Mathematical & CalculationMathematical &CalculationExperimentalExperimentalPhysical ConceptualPhysicalConceptualGraphical AnalysisGraphicalAnalysisUnits &Units &Base CBase C
SkillWeightShare
  • Mathematical & Calculation

    Weight: 8100%
  • Experimental

    Weight: 788%
  • Physical Conceptual

    Weight: 675%
  • Graphical Analysis

    Weight: 450%
  • Units &

    Weight: 225%
  • Base C

    Weight: 113%

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. 90% of maximum mark

Level A

Approx. 80% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 70% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 60% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 50% of maximum mark

Level E

Approx. 40% 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: 28

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

ExplainFrequency: 22

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

DetermineFrequency: 18

Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.

ShowFrequency: 8

Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.

StateFrequency: 10

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

DescribeFrequency: 12

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

SketchFrequency: 6

Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.

DiscussFrequency: 8

Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.

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

Limitation of physical measurements

48 marks this session

Electromagnetic induction

26 marks this session

Newton’s laws of motion

25 marks this session

Radioactivity

24 marks this session

Newton’s gravitational law

22 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
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Limitation of physical measurements

65
31
48
144

Newton’s gravitational law

22
22
44

Electromagnetic induction

26
26

Newton’s laws of motion

25
25

Radioactivity

24
24

Interference (Oscillations and waves)

22
22

Induced fission

22
22

Ideal gases

22
22

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

2023202420252025
2023 2023 · 3.9/52024 2024 · 3.8/52025 June 2025 · 3.8/52025 Winter 2025 · 3.8/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Unit 1: Mechanics, materials and atoms: Unit 2: Electricity, waves and particles: Unit 3: Fields and their consequences: Unit 4: Energy and Energy resources: Unit 5: Physics in practice:

80 marks120 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

    Consolidated analysis of the June 2025 Oxford AQA International AS/A-Level Physics series (Units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5).

  • 2Message

    The exams featured a rigorous blend of fundamental mechanics, waves, electromagnetism, fields, thermal physics, and practical skills.

  • 3Message

    Outstanding features include the deep emphasis on experimental uncertainties and graphical slope analysis in Unit 5.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2025 2025

Physics

Consolidated analysis of the June 2025 Oxford AQA International AS/A-Level Physics series (Units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). The exams featured a rigorous blend of fundamental mechanics, waves, electromagnetism, fields, thermal physics, and practical skills. Outstanding features include

  • Consolidated analysis of the June 2025 Oxford AQA International AS/A-Level Physics series (Units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5).

  • The exams featured a rigorous blend of fundamental mechanics, waves, electromagnetism, fields, thermal physics, and practical skills.

  • Outstanding features include the deep emphasis on experimental uncertainties and graphical slope analysis in Unit 5.

Total marks
400
Duration
600 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5

Session analysis

Consolidated analysis of the June 2025 Oxford AQA International AS/A-Level Physics series (Units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). The exams featured a rigorous blend of fundamental mechanics, waves, electromagnetism, fields, thermal physics, and practical skills. Outstanding features include the deep emphasis on experimental uncertainties and graphical slope analysis in Unit 5.

Updated Jun 12, 2026

Paper breakdown

Unit 1: Mechanics, materials and atoms: Unit 2: Electricity, waves and particles: Unit 3: Fields and their consequences: Unit 4: Energy and Energy resources: Unit 5: Physics in practice:

80 marks120 min

Top chapters

Limitation of physical measurements48 marks
Electromagnetic induction26 marks
Newton’s laws of motion25 marks
Radioactivity24 marks
Newton’s gravitational law22 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Limitation of physical measurem48 marks
Electromagnetic induction26 marks
Newton’s laws of motion25 marks
Radioactivity24 marks
Newton’s gravitational law22 marks
Oscillating systems20 marks
Ideal gases18 marks
Energy transfer by heating and18 marks

Mark accessibility

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

75% within easy or medium reach

120
180
100
Easy: 120 marksMedium: 180 marksHard: 100 marks

Command word frequency

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

Calculate28 times
Explain22 times
Determine18 times
Show8 times
State10 times
Describe12 times
Sketch6 times
Discuss8 times

Question type mix

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

400Marks
  • Structured Calculation

    182·35·46%

  • Structured Explanation

    160·28·40%

  • Multiple Choice

    58·58·14%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Experimental physi…Radioactive decay …Newton's laws and …Gravitational fieldsElectromagnetic in…

Next-year prediction

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

Coulomb's Law and electric potential profiles

90%

90%

Rotational dynamics & moment of inertia of complex shapes

85%

85%

Transformers and alternating currents

80%

80%

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

9630/21 — Oxford AQA International A Level Physics (June 2025) | Revui