PHYSICS-A-H556 · Cambridge OCR A Level
Physics A - H556 Exam Tips
For Papers 1 (Modelling Physics) and 2 (Exploring Physics), Section A consists of 15 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) accounting for 15% of the paper's total marks. Examiners repeatedly warn that students spend too long here, leaving themselves rushed for the highly quantitative …
Source: OCR
Papers
3
Total marks
270
Time limit
6h
Grade scale
Additional note
Calculator policy
A scientific or graphical calculator that meets JCQ regulations may be used (some GCSE Mathematics and Science papers are non-calculator). Graphical calculators must be set to exam mode; you must clear any stored programs, notes or data before the exam, and the calculator must not be able to retrieve stored text or formulae.
3
Papers
1
Strategies
6
Mistakes
- For Papers 1 (Modelling Physics) and 2 (Exploring Physics), Section A consists of 15 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) accounting for 15% of the paper's total marks. Examiners repeatedly warn that students spend too long here, leaving themselves rushed for the highly quantitative Section B. The golden rule is a strict maximum of 30 minutes for Section A. If an MCQ calculation is taking more than two minutes, guess, flag it, and move on. Many MCQs test dimensional analysis or SI base units; for example, proving that the Boltzmann constant k k k has base units of kg m2s−2K−1 ^2 ^{-2} ^{-1} kg m2s−2K−1 by starting from Ek=32kT E_k = \frac{3}{2}kT Ek=23kT. Quick command of these derivations will save you valuable minutes.
Tips are paraphrased for study purposes from exam structure data and marking patterns. Always verify against your official syllabus and mark scheme.