PHYSICS-XPH11 · Pearson Edexcel International AS Level
PHYSICS-XPH11/12
Paper 1
Physics · November 2025 · Variant 2
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
4.0 / 5
210
260 min
Waves and Light Mechanics
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
210
Duration
260 min
Session difficulty
4.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
Many students excelled at standard numeric applications, such as projectile range calculations, basic moments equations, and simple series/parallel resistance calculations.
However, significant marks were lost in descriptive questions requiring rigorous physical reasoning.
Specifically, in Unit 1, the asterisked Quality of Written Communication (QWC) question on terminal velocity (Q14) suffered from a lack of systematic step-by-step force analysis.
In Unit 2, explaining the photoelectric/photon model of light via toy stones (Q15) saw students failing to contrast the photon model explicitly with the continuous nature of wave energy transfer.
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: 6100%Conceptual Explanation
Weight: 583%Experimental
Weight: 350%Graphical & Practical Skills
Weight: 233%Uncertainty
Weight: 117%
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
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.
Match the expected response style for “that” questions.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Weigh arguments for and against with evidence; end with a supported judgement.
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
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
71 marks this session
Mechanics
62 marks this session
Materials
41 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
Mechanics
Materials
Electric Circuits
Mechanics (Mechanics and Materials)
Waves and Particle Nature of Light (Waves and Electricity)
Electric Circuits (Waves and Electricity)
Materials (Mechanics and Materials)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials (WPH11/01A): Unit 2: Waves and Electricity (WPH12/01A): Unit 3: Practical Skills in Physics I (WPH13/01A):
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
71 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMechanics
62 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMaterials
41 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
Many students excelled at standard numeric applications, such as projectile range calculations, basic moments equations, and simple series/parallel resistance calculations.
- 2Message
However, significant marks were lost in descriptive questions requiring rigorous physical reasoning.
- 3Message
Specifically, in Unit 1, the asterisked Quality of Written Communication (QWC) question on terminal velocity (Q14) suffered from a lack of systematic step-by-step force analysis.
- 4Message
In Unit 2, explaining the photoelectric/photon model of light via toy stones (Q15) saw students failing to contrast the photon model explicitly with the continuous nature of wave energy transfer.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
November 2025 2025
Physics
Many students excelled at standard numeric applications, such as projectile range calculations, basic moments equations, and simple series/parallel resistance calculations. However, significant marks were lost in descriptive questions requiring rigorous physical reasoning. Specif
Many students excelled at standard numeric applications, such as projectile range calculations, basic moments equations, and simple series/parallel resistance calculations.
However, significant marks were lost in descriptive questions requiring rigorous physical reasoning.
Specifically, in Unit 1, the asterisked Quality of Written Communication (QWC) question on terminal velocity (Q14) suffered from a lack of systematic step-by-step force analysis.
- Total marks
- 210
- Duration
- 260 min
- Session difficulty
- 4.0 / 5
Session analysis
Many students excelled at standard numeric applications, such as projectile range calculations, basic moments equations, and simple series/parallel resistance calculations. However, significant marks were lost in descriptive questions requiring rigorous physical reasoning. Specifically, in Unit 1, the asterisked Quality of Written Communication (QWC) question on terminal velocity (Q14) suffered from a lack of systematic step-by-step force analysis. In Unit 2, explaining the photoelectric/photon model of light via toy stones (Q15) saw students failing to contrast the photon model explicitly with the continuous nature of wave energy transfer.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials (WPH11/01A): Unit 2: Waves and Electricity (WPH12/01A): Unit 3: Practical Skills in Physics I (WPH13/01A):
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 Calculation
115·25·55%
Structured Explanation / QWC
75·12·36%
Multiple Choice
(MCQ)
20·20·10%
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.
De Broglie Wavelength & Electron Diffraction
4%4%
Limit of Proportionality & Elastic Strain Energy
4%4%
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Newton's Third Law in Fluids: In Unit 1 Q19, candidates struggled to recognize that the upthrust acting upward on the submerged sphere is accompanied by an equal and opposite downward force on the liquid, which is registered as an increased reading on the balance.
- Structural Support Scaling: In Unit 2 Q17, many failed to scale the weight of the bridge road down by a factor of 500 when evaluating the tension supported by a single suspending cable, resulting in an incorrect wave speed v=T/μ v = \sqrt{T/\mu} v=T/μ.
- Graph Rearrangement: In Unit 3 Q4, setting up the LED activation potential equation in the form of y=mx+c y = mx + c y=mx+c to prove a straight-line plot was frequently missed or incorrectly grouped.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.