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9630 · Oxford AQA International AS Level

9630/11

Paper 1

Physics · 2024 · 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

240

Duration

360 min

Most tested topic

Simple Harmonic Motion

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

240

Duration

360 min

Session difficulty

3.8 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The January 2024 Oxford AQA International AS and A-Level Physics papers (PH01, PH02, and PH03) presented a balanced yet mathematically rigorous set of challenges.

2

With a heavy focus on application-based problems and experimental skills, this series tested students' ability to go beyond rote memorization and show true physical intuition.

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
Experimental5
Conceptual Explanation4
Graphical Interpretation2

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

MathematicalMathematicalExperimentalExperimentalConceptual ExplanationConceptualExplanationGraphical InterpretationGraphicalInterpretation
SkillWeightShare
  • Mathematical

    Weight: 6100%
  • Experimental

    Weight: 583%
  • Conceptual Explanation

    Weight: 467%
  • 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

CalculateFrequency: 28

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

ExplainFrequency: 18

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

DetermineFrequency: 11

Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.

ShowFrequency: 8

Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.

SketchFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.

StateFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

DeduceFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.

DiscussFrequency: 3

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

Simple harmonic motion (Circular and periodic motion)

34 marks this session

Limitation of physical measurements (Measurements and their errors)

21 marks this session

Moving charges in a magnetic field (Magnetic fields)

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

LowHigh
Topic
2023
2024
2025
Σ

Simple harmonic motion

13
28
41

Motion along a straight line

12
22
34

Simple harmonic motion (Circular and periodic motion)

34
34

Radioactivity

24
24

Electric field strength

13
10
23

Limitation of physical measurements

12
10
22

Limitation of physical measurements (Measurements and their errors)

21
21

Moving charges in a magnetic field (Magnetic fields)

16
16

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

2023202420252025
2023 2023 · 3.5/52024 2024 · 3.8/52025 June 2025 · 4.2/52025 Winter 2025 · 3.8/5

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:

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

    The January 2024 Oxford AQA International AS and A-Level Physics papers (PH01, PH02, and PH03) presented a balanced yet mathematically rigorous set of challenges.

  • 2Message

    With a heavy focus on application-based problems and experimental skills, this series tested students' ability to go beyond rote memorization and show true physical intuition.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2024 2024

Physics

The January 2024 Oxford AQA International AS and A-Level Physics papers (PH01, PH02, and PH03) presented a balanced yet mathematically rigorous set of challenges. With a heavy focus on application-based problems and experimental skills, this series tested students' ability to go

  • The January 2024 Oxford AQA International AS and A-Level Physics papers (PH01, PH02, and PH03) presented a balanced yet mathematically rigorous set of challenges.

  • With a heavy focus on application-based problems and experimental skills, this series tested students' ability to go beyond rote memorization and show true physical intuition.

Total marks
240
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5

Session analysis

The January 2024 Oxford AQA International AS and A-Level Physics papers (PH01, PH02, and PH03) presented a balanced yet mathematically rigorous set of challenges. With a heavy focus on application-based problems and experimental skills, this series tested students' ability to go beyond rote memorization and show true physical intuition.

Updated Jun 12, 2026

Paper breakdown

PH01 Mechanics, materials and atoms: PH02 Electricity, waves and particles: PH03 Fields and their consequences:

80 marks120 min

Top chapters

Simple harmonic motion (Circular and periodic motion)34 marks
Limitation of physical measurements (Measurements and their errors)21 marks
Moving charges in a magnetic field (Magnetic fields)16 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Simple harmonic motion (Circula34 marks
Limitation of physical measurem21 marks
Moving charges in a magnetic fi16 marks
Bulk properties of solids (Mech10 marks
Motion along a straight line (M9 marks
Circuits (Electricity)8 marks
Moments (Mechanics and material8 marks
Electromagnetic induction (Magn8 marks

Mark accessibility

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

77% within easy or medium reach

75
110
55
Easy: 75 marksMedium: 110 marksHard: 55 marks

Command word frequency

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

Calculate28 times
Explain18 times
Determine11 times
Show8 times
Sketch4 times
State4 times
Deduce3 times
Discuss3 times

Question type mix

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

240Marks
  • Structured / Short Answer

    197·50·82%

  • Multiple Choice

    43·43·18%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Simple harmonic mo…Limitation of phys…Moving charges in …Circuits and inter…Principle of momen…

Next-year prediction

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

Capacitor charge and discharge

90%

90%

Optical Fibres and Modal Dispersion

85%

85%

The Young Modulus (Wire extension practical)

80%

80%

January 2024 Exam Analysis: Verdict and Strategy

The January 2024 Oxford AQA International AS and A-Level Physics papers (PH01, PH02, and PH03) presented a balanced yet mathematically rigorous set of challenges. With a heavy focus on application-based problems and experimental skills, this series tested students' ability to go beyond rote memorization and show true physical intuition.

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

9630/11 — Oxford AQA International AS Level Physics (2024) | Revui