9630 · Oxford AQA International AS Level
9630/11
Paper 1
Physics · 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Oxford AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
240
360 min
Work, energy and power
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
240
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The January 2023 examination series is rated as 3.5 stars (Moderate-to-hard).
While the papers contained standard recall and straightforward multi-step calculation questions, several demanding conceptual elements and experimental/analytical questions acted as strong discriminators between grade bands.
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.
Conceptual Understanding
Weight: 6100%Mathematical & Calculation
Weight: 467%Experimental &
Weight: 350%Graphical Interpretation
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
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
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
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
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
Work, energy and power
14 marks this session
Electric field strength
13 marks this session
Simple harmonic motion
13 marks this session
Motion along a straight line
12 marks this session
Limitation of physical measurements
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
Simple harmonic motion
Motion along a straight line
Simple harmonic motion (Circular and periodic motion)
Radioactivity
Electric field strength
Limitation of physical measurements
Limitation of physical measurements (Measurements and their errors)
Moving charges in a magnetic field (Magnetic fields)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
PH01: Mechanics, materials and atoms: PH02: Electricity, waves and particles: PH03: Fields and their consequences:
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
Work, energy and power
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiElectric field strength
13 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSimple harmonic motion
13 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMotion along a straight line
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiLimitation of physical measurements
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The January 2023 examination series is rated as 3.5 stars (Moderate-to-hard).
- 2Message
While the papers contained standard recall and straightforward multi-step calculation questions, several demanding conceptual elements and experimental/analytical questions acted as strong discriminators between grade bands.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2023 2023
Physics
The January 2023 examination series is rated as 3.5 stars (Moderate-to-hard). While the papers contained standard recall and straightforward multi-step calculation questions, several demanding conceptual elements and experimental/analytical questions acted as strong discriminator
The January 2023 examination series is rated as 3.5 stars (Moderate-to-hard).
While the papers contained standard recall and straightforward multi-step calculation questions, several demanding conceptual elements and experimental/analytical questions acted as strong discriminators between grade bands.
- Total marks
- 240
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
The January 2023 examination series is rated as 3.5 stars (Moderate-to-hard). While the papers contained standard recall and straightforward multi-step calculation questions, several demanding conceptual elements and experimental/analytical questions acted as strong discriminators between grade bands.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
PH01: Mechanics, materials and atoms: PH02: Electricity, waves and particles: PH03: Fields and their consequences:
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.
79% 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.
Structured
165·26·69%
Multiple Choice
43·43·18%
Practical & Graphing
32·4·13%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Ideal gases
85%85%
Radius of the nucleus
75%75%
Gravitational potential mapping
70%70%
Difficulty Verdict
The January 2023 examination series is rated as 3.5 stars (Moderate-to-hard). While the papers contained standard recall and straightforward multi-step calculation questions, several demanding conceptual elements and experimental/analytical questions acted as strong discriminators between grade bands.
Where the Marks Are
Major mark-earning opportunities were concentrated in structured mechanics, wave optics, and fields:
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.