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PHYSICS-1PH0 · Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1)

PHYSICS-1PH0/21

(Foundation Tier)

Physics · 2022 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Moderate · 2.2/5

Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

2.2 / 5

Total marks

200

Duration

210 min

Most tested topic

Electricity and circuits

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

200

Duration

210 min

Session difficulty

2.2 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

An exceptionally accessible pair of Foundation Tier papers (1F and 2F) characterized by high-yield mathematical substitution questions, clear graphical analysis, and structured practical-based extended writing.

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 Calculation4
Recall of Scientific3
Experimental Design2
Graphical Analysis1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Mathematical CalculationMathematicalCalculationRecall of ScientificRecall ofScientificExperimental DesignExperimentalDesignGraphical AnalysisGraphicalAnalysis
SkillWeightShare
  • Mathematical Calculation

    Weight: 4100%
  • Recall of Scientific

    Weight: 375%
  • Experimental Design

    Weight: 250%
  • Graphical Analysis

    Weight: 125%

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. 78% of maximum mark

Level 8

Approx. 69% of maximum mark

Level 7

Approx. 61% of maximum mark

Level 6

Approx. 50% of maximum mark

Level 5

Approx. 39% of maximum mark

Level 4

Approx. 29% of maximum mark

Level 3

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: 15

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

ExplainFrequency: 10

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

DescribeFrequency: 8

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

StateFrequency: 12

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

GiveFrequency: 6

Match the expected response style for “Give” questions.

DrawFrequency: 5

Match the expected response style for “Draw” questions.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 1 (Q1-Q5)60m / 57 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Paper 2 (Q1-Q5)58m / 55 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Paper 1 (Q6-Q10)47m / 45 marks

Min per mark: 1

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Electricity and circuits

28 marks this session

Motion and forces

23 marks this session

Particle model

22 marks this session

Radioactivity

21 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

Electricity and circuits

28
20
48

Particle model

22
22
44

Motion and forces

23
20
43

Particle model (Paper 2)

37
37

Motion and forces (Paper 1)

22
22

Astronomy (Paper 1)

22
22

Radioactivity (Paper 1)

22
22

Conservation of energy

22
22

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202220232024
2022 2022 · 2.2/52023 2023 · 2.3/52024 2024 · 2.5/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1F:

100 marks105 min

Paper 2F:

100 marks105 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

    An exceptionally accessible pair of Foundation Tier papers (1F and 2F) characterized by high-yield mathematical substitution questions, clear graphical analysis, and structured practical-based extended writing.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2022 2022

Physics

An exceptionally accessible pair of Foundation Tier papers (1F and 2F) characterized by high-yield mathematical substitution questions, clear graphical analysis, and structured practical-based extended writing.

  • An exceptionally accessible pair of Foundation Tier papers (1F and 2F) characterized by high-yield mathematical substitution questions, clear graphical analysis, and structured practical-based extended writing.

Total marks
200
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
2.2 / 5

Session analysis

An exceptionally accessible pair of Foundation Tier papers (1F and 2F) characterized by high-yield mathematical substitution questions, clear graphical analysis, and structured practical-based extended writing.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1F:

100 marks105 min

Paper 2F:

100 marks105 min

Top chapters

Electricity and circuits28 marks
Motion and forces23 marks
Particle model22 marks
Radioactivity21 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

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

Radioactivity21 marks
Electricity and circuits28 marks
Magnetism and the motor effect9 marks
Waves9 marks
Energy - Forces doing work10 marks
Particle model22 marks
Astronomy15 marks
Forces and matter11 marks

Mark accessibility

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

83% within easy or medium reach

90
75
35
Easy: 90 marksMedium: 75 marksHard: 35 marks

Command word frequency

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

Calculate15 times
Explain10 times
Describe8 times
State12 times
Give6 times
Draw5 times

Question type mix

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

200Marks
  • Short Answer

    140·62·70%

  • Extended Writing

    48·8·24%

  • Multiple Choice

    12·12·6%

Study ROI

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

DifficultyRecurrence %Electricity and ci…Motion and forcesParticle modelRadioactivityConservation of en…

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 (Q1-Q5)

0.95 m/min
57
60

Paper 1 (Q6-Q10)

0.96 m/min
45
47

Paper 2 (Q1-Q5)

0.95 m/min
55
58

Total marks

157

Total time

165 min

Avg pace

0.95

Next-year prediction

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

Electromagnetic induction

90%

90%

Waves and Seismic Waves

85%

85%

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 45min
Total marks
100
Weighting
50%
Question types
Multiple Choice, Short Answer / Labeling, Structured Calculations, Extended Writing (6-Mark)

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

PHYSICS-1PH0/21 — Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9–1) Physics (2022) | Revui