Back to subject papers

PHYSICS-8PH0 · Pearson Edexcel AS Level

PHYSICS-8PH0/21

Paper 2

Physics · 2022 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.5/5

Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.5 / 5

Total marks

160

Duration

180 min

Most tested topic

Classical Mechanics and Projectile Motion

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

160

Duration

180 min

Session difficulty

3.5 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

A comprehensive analysis of the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE Advanced Subsidiary Physics (8PH0) Summer 2022 examinations, covering Core Physics I (Paper 1) and Core Physics II (Paper 2).

2

The paper tests core classical mechanics, electrical circuits, materials science, waves, and the quantum nature of light, with a strong focus on practical skills and experimental analysis.

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

Mathematical7
Practical & Experimental6
Conceptual Explanation4
Graphing &2
Data A1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

MathematicalMathematicalPractical & ExperimentalPractical &ExperimentalConceptual ExplanationConceptualExplanationGraphing &Graphing &Data AData A
SkillWeightShare
  • Mathematical

    Weight: 7100%
  • Practical & Experimental

    Weight: 686%
  • Conceptual Explanation

    Weight: 457%
  • Graphing &

    Weight: 229%
  • Data A

    Weight: 114%

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. 52% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 44% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 37% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 29% of maximum mark

Level E

Approx. 23% 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: 14

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

ExplainFrequency: 11

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

DetermineFrequency: 7

Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.

DescribeFrequency: 4

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

DeduceFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 2 Section A25m / 20 marks

Min per mark: 1.3

Paper 1 Section A25m / 21 marks

Min per mark: 1.2

Paper 1 Section B (…65m / 60 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Digging up the Past (DIG) - Mechanics

48 marks this session

Waves and Particle Nature of Light

28 marks this session

Spare-part Surgery (SUR) - Electricity & Sensing

26 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 Particle Nature of Light

28
41
36
105

Digging up the Past (Mechanics)

31
38
69

Spare-part Surgery (Electricity)

26
26
52

Digging up the Past (DIG) - Mechanics

48
48

Spare-part Surgery (SUR) - Electricity & Sensing

26
26

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202220232024
2022 2022 · 3.5/52023 2023 · 3.5/52024 2024 · 4.0/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 01: Core Physics I:

80 marks90 min

Paper 02: Core Physics II:

80 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

    A comprehensive analysis of the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE Advanced Subsidiary Physics (8PH0) Summer 2022 examinations, covering Core Physics I (Paper 1) and Core Physics II (Paper 2).

  • 2Message

    The paper tests core classical mechanics, electrical circuits, materials science, waves, and the quantum nature of light, with a strong focus on practical skills and experimental analysis.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2022 2022

Physics

A comprehensive analysis of the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE Advanced Subsidiary Physics (8PH0) Summer 2022 examinations, covering Core Physics I (Paper 1) and Core Physics II (Paper 2). The paper tests core classical mechanics, electrical circuits, materials science, waves, and t

  • A comprehensive analysis of the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE Advanced Subsidiary Physics (8PH0) Summer 2022 examinations, covering Core Physics I (Paper 1) and Core Physics II (Paper 2).

  • The paper tests core classical mechanics, electrical circuits, materials science, waves, and the quantum nature of light, with a strong focus on practical skills and experimental analysis.

Total marks
160
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5

Session analysis

A comprehensive analysis of the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 GCE Advanced Subsidiary Physics (8PH0) Summer 2022 examinations, covering Core Physics I (Paper 1) and Core Physics II (Paper 2). The paper tests core classical mechanics, electrical circuits, materials science, waves, and the quantum nature of light, with a strong focus on practical skills and experimental analysis.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 01: Core Physics I:

80 marks90 min

Paper 02: Core Physics II:

80 marks90 min

Top chapters

Digging up the Past (DIG) - Mechanics48 marks
Waves and Particle Nature of Light28 marks
Spare-part Surgery (SUR) - Electricity & Sensing26 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Working as a Physicist (General12 marks
Working as a Physicist (Practic14 marks
Digging up the Past (Mechanics)48 marks
The Sound of Music (Acoustics)6 marks
Good Enough to Eat (Fluids & Vi10 marks
Spare-part Surgery (Electricity)26 marks
Technology in Space (Sensing)6 marks
Waves and Particle Nature of Li28 marks

Mark accessibility

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

75% within easy or medium reach

50
70
40
Easy: 50 marksMedium: 70 marksHard: 40 marks

Command word frequency

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

Calculate14 times
Explain11 times
Determine7 times
Describe4 times
Deduce4 times

Question type mix

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

160Marks
  • Short Answer / Calculation

    74·22·46%

  • Structured Long Answer

    49·6·31%

  • Graphical/Practical Analysis

    21·2·13%

  • Multiple Choice

    16·16·10%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Parallel and Serie…Hooke's Law and Sp…Wave Properties an…Momentum & Collisi…

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 Section A

0.84 m/min
21
25

Paper 1 Section B (…

0.92 m/min
60
65

Paper 2 Section A

0.80 m/min
20
25

Total marks

101

Total time

115 min

Avg pace

0.88

Next-year prediction

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

Photoelectric Effect and Work Function

85%

85%

Viscosity and Stokes' Law

75%

75%

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

PHYSICS-8PH0/21 — Pearson Edexcel AS Level Physics (2022) | Revui