PHYSICS-YPH11 · Pearson Edexcel International A Level
PHYSICS-YPH11/21
Paper 2
Physics · Winter 2025 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.6 / 5
310
380 min
Wave and Light Phenomena
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
310
Duration
380 min
Session difficulty
3.6 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A significant portion of the total marks is awarded for quantitative skills.
In Unit 2, students excelled on basic circuit calculations and single-step refractive index questions but stumbled on internal resistance derivations and the phase differences in complex wave paths.
In Unit 4, the 2D collision vector resolution and capacitor discharge calculations acted as major differentiators.
In Unit 5, standard cosmological distance calculations using Cepheid variables were generally well-attempted, but Doppler-shift assessments of the Sun's rotation and multi-stage thermodynamic efficiency comparisons proved highly challenging.
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.
Mathematical
Weight: 7100%Scientific Practical
Weight: 686%Conceptual Explanation
Weight: 457%Graphical Construction
Weight: 229%
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
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 “that” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.6
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.1
Min per mark: 1.1
Min per mark: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
60 marks this session
Electric and Magnetic Fields
44 marks this session
Thermodynamics
40 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
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
Electric and Magnetic Fields
Mechanics
Electric Circuits
Materials
Thermodynamics
Astrophysics and Cosmology
Oscillations
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
WPH12/01: Waves and Electricity: WPH14/01: Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles: WPH15/01: Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology: WPH16/01: Practical Skills in Physics II:
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
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
60 marks this session
Practise in RevuiElectric and Magnetic Fields
44 marks this session
Practise in RevuiThermodynamics
40 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A significant portion of the total marks is awarded for quantitative skills.
- 2Message
In Unit 2, students excelled on basic circuit calculations and single-step refractive index questions but stumbled on internal resistance derivations and the phase differences in complex wave paths.
- 3Message
In Unit 4, the 2D collision vector resolution and capacitor discharge calculations acted as major differentiators.
- 4Message
In Unit 5, standard cosmological distance calculations using Cepheid variables were generally well-attempted, but Doppler-shift assessments of the Sun's rotation and multi-stage thermodynamic efficiency comparisons proved highly challenging.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
Winter 2025 2025
Physics
A significant portion of the total marks is awarded for quantitative skills. In Unit 2, students excelled on basic circuit calculations and single-step refractive index questions but stumbled on internal resistance derivations and the phase differences in complex wave paths. In U
A significant portion of the total marks is awarded for quantitative skills.
In Unit 2, students excelled on basic circuit calculations and single-step refractive index questions but stumbled on internal resistance derivations and the phase differences in complex wave paths.
In Unit 4, the 2D collision vector resolution and capacitor discharge calculations acted as major differentiators.
- Total marks
- 310
- Duration
- 380 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.6 / 5
Session analysis
A significant portion of the total marks is awarded for quantitative skills. In Unit 2, students excelled on basic circuit calculations and single-step refractive index questions but stumbled on internal resistance derivations and the phase differences in complex wave paths. In Unit 4, the 2D collision vector resolution and capacitor discharge calculations acted as major differentiators. In Unit 5, standard cosmological distance calculations using Cepheid variables were generally well-attempted, but Doppler-shift assessments of the Sun's rotation and multi-stage thermodynamic efficiency comparisons proved highly challenging.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
WPH12/01: Waves and Electricity: WPH14/01: Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles: WPH15/01: Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology: WPH16/01: Practical Skills in Physics II:
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.
74% 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 Calculations
138·28·45%
Short Answer
64·22·21%
Graph and Data Analysis
60·12·19%
Multiple Choice
30·30·10%
Extended Open Response
(QWC)
18·3·6%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
WPH12/01 Section A
0.91 m/minWPH12/01 Section B
0.89 m/minWPH14/01 Section A
0.91 m/minWPH14/01 Section B
0.85 m/minWPH15/01 Section A
0.91 m/minWPH15/01 Section B
0.85 m/minWPH16/01 Practical
0.63 m/minTotal marks
310
Total time
380 min
Avg pace
0.82
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Capacitor Discharge Damping Rates
85%85%
X-Ray and Medical Physics Applications
75%75%
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Uncertainty Arithmetic: On Unit 6, many candidates lost marks by failing to justify why uncertainties are added during subtraction operations or by using inappropriate decimal places for processed values (such as lnA \ln A lnA).
- The Power of Two: A recurring pitfall in fields (Unit 4) and cosmology (Unit 5) was omitting the squaring of distance in Newton's Law of Gravitation or Coulomb's Law.
- Asterisk Questions: For the quality of written communication (QWC) items, such as the cyclotron description or stationary wave formation, students often listed facts without a logical progression. Success requires a chronological step-by-step physical narrative.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.