OCRAS Level67 resources

OCR AS Level Physics A Past Papers

Download OCR AS Level Physics A (H156) past papers and mark schemes. Breadth in Physics and Depth in Physics papers with data booklet. 5 resources.

📅June 2016 – present📄67 resources available✅Free to download

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67 of 67 resources

June 2023

8 files

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Physics A – Modified papers

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Physics A – Modified papers

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Physics A – Question paper – Depth in physics

Question Paper

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Physics A – Question paper – Breadth in physics

Question Paper

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Physics A – Mark scheme – Breadth in physics

Mark Scheme

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Physics A – Mark scheme – Depth in physics

Mark Scheme

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Physics A – Examiners’ report – Breadth in physics

Examiner Report

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Physics A – Examiners’ report – Depth in physics

Examiner Report

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June 2022

7 files

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Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

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Physics A – Question paper – Depth in physics

Question Paper

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Physics A – Question paper – Breadth in physics

Question Paper

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✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Breadth in physics

Mark Scheme

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✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Depth in physics

Mark Scheme

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📊

Physics A – Examiners’ report – Breadth in physics

Examiner Report

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📊

Physics A – Examiners’ report – Depth in physics

Examiner Report

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November 2021

8 files

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Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

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📦

Physics A – Data booklet

Additional Resources

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Physics A – Question paper – Depth in physics

Question Paper

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📋

Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

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📄

Physics A – Question paper – Breadth in physics

Question Paper

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✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Breadth in physics

Mark Scheme

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✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Depth in physics

Mark Scheme

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📦

Physics A – Data booklet

Additional Resources

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November 2020

10 files

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Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

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📦

Physics A – Data booklet

Additional Resources

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📄

Physics A – Question paper – Depth in physics

Question Paper

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📋

Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

Download

📄

Physics A – Question paper – Breadth in physics

Question Paper

Download

✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Breadth in physics

Mark Scheme

Download

✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Depth in physics

Mark Scheme

Download

📊

Physics A – Examiners’ report – Breadth in physics

Examiner Report

Download

📊

Physics A – Examiners’ report – Depth in physics

Examiner Report

Download

📦

Physics A – Data booklet

Additional Resources

Download

June 2019

8 files

📋

Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

Download

📋

Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

Download

📄

Physics A – Question paper – Breadth in physics

Question Paper

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📄

Physics A – Question paper – Depth in physics

Question Paper

Download

✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Depth in physics

Mark Scheme

Download

✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Breadth in physics

Mark Scheme

Download

📊

Physics A – Examiners’ report – Breadth in physics

Examiner Report

Download

📊

Physics A – Examiners’ report – Depth in physics

Examiner Report

Download

June 2018

10 files

📋

Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

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📋

Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

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🗂️

Physics A – Data sheet

Data Sheet

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Physics A – Question paper – Breadth in physics

Question Paper

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📋

Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

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📄

Physics A – Question paper – Depth in physics

Question Paper

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✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Depth in physics

Mark Scheme

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✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Breadth in physics

Mark Scheme

Download

📊

Physics A – Examiners’ report – Breadth in physics

Examiner Report

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📊

Physics A – Examiners’ report – Depth in physics

Examiner Report

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June 2017

7 files

📋

Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

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📋

Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

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📄

Physics A – Question paper – Breadth in physics

Question Paper

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📄

Physics A – Question paper – Depth in physics

Question Paper

Download

📋

Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

Download

✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Depth in physics

Mark Scheme

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✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Breadth in physics

Mark Scheme

Download

June 2016

6 files

📄

Physics A – Question paper – Breadth in physics

Question Paper

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📄

Physics A – Question paper – Depth in physics

Question Paper

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📋

Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

Download

✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Depth in physics

Mark Scheme

Download

✅

Physics A – Mark scheme – Breadth in physics

Mark Scheme

Download

📋

Physics A – Modified papers

Modified Paper

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No date

3 files

📝

Physics A – Data, formulae and relationships booklet

Sample Assessment Materials

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📝

Physics A – Depth in physics

Sample Assessment Materials

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📝

Physics A – Breadth in physics

Sample Assessment Materials

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Mechanics, Waves, and Electrical Circuits in the Year 12 Physics A Curriculum

OCR AS Level Physics A (H156) covers the first half of the A-Level specification — Modules 1 to 4 — across two written papers. Module 1 (Development of Practical Skills) underpins both papers with questions about experimental design, uncertainty, and data analysis. Modules 2 to 4 supply the substantive physics content assessed at AS Level. Paper 1: Breadth in Physics (H156/01, 1 hour 30 minutes, 70 marks) tests knowledge across Modules 2, 3, and 4. Module 2 (Foundations of Physics) covers physical quantities and units, estimation skills, and the nature of measurements. Module 3 (Forces and Motion) covers scalars and vectors (addition of forces using the parallelogram law, resolving into components), kinematics in one and two dimensions (the SUVAT equations, projectile motion), Newton's laws and their applications, momentum and its conservation, work, energy, and power, and materials science (stress, strain, the Young modulus, and Hooke's law). Module 4 (Electrons, Waves, and Photons) covers charge, current, and Kirchhoff's laws; resistors in series and parallel; the potential divider; progressive waves (amplitude, frequency, wavelength, wave speed); transverse and longitudinal waves; superposition and standing waves; the photoelectric effect; and de Broglie wavelength. Paper 2: Depth in Physics (H156/02, 1 hour 30 minutes, 70 marks) assesses the same modules but through more extended, analytical questions requiring multi-step reasoning and data interpretation. A resource insert accompanies this paper, presenting novel experimental contexts or unfamiliar physical scenarios that require candidates to apply AS-level physics principles creatively.

Exam Paper Structure

Paper 1Calculator ✓

Breadth in Physics

⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 70 marks📊 50%% of grade

Measurements and practical skillsForces, kinematics, and momentumWork, energy, and materialsElectrical circuits and Kirchhoff's lawsWaves, photons, and quantum behaviour

Paper 2Calculator ✓

Depth in Physics

⏱ 1 hour 30 minutes🎯 70 marks📊 50%% of grade

Multi-step analytical physics problemsData interpretation from resource insertExperimental evaluation and uncertaintyApplication of all AS modules to novel contexts

Key Information

Exam Board	OCR
Specification Code	H156
Qualification	AS Level
Grading Scale	A–E
Assessment Type	2 written papers with data booklet
Number Of Papers	2
Exam Duration	1 hour 30 minutes per paper
Total Marks	140 (70 + 70)
Calculator Status	Calculator allowed in both papers
Available Sessions	June 2016 – present
Total Resources	5

Key Topics in Physics A

Topics you need to know

SUVAT kinematics and projectile motionNewton's laws and momentum conservationStress, strain, and the Young modulusKirchhoff's laws and circuit analysisWave properties and superpositionPhotoelectric effect and wave-particle dualityExperimental uncertainty and data analysis

Exam Command Words

Command word	What the examiner expects
Show that	Derive the stated result — all physical reasoning and arithmetic must be shown
Estimate	Use order-of-magnitude reasoning to give an approximate value with justification
Sketch a graph	Draw the general shape with labelled axes, correct intercepts, and key features noted
Explain	Give a physical reason for an observation or result, referencing the relevant principle

Typical Grade Boundaries

Grade	Approximate mark needed
A	68–83%
B	56–67%
C	44–55%
D	32–43%
E	20–31%

⚠️ OCR AS Physics A grade boundaries vary by session.

SUVAT Equations, Kirchhoff's Laws, and the Photoelectric Effect at AS Physics

SUVAT questions require identifying which four of the five variables (s, u, v, a, t) are given or can be calculated, then selecting the equation that contains those variables. The five standard equations must be memorised, as they are not always provided in the booklet in exactly the form needed. For projectile motion, resolve the problem into horizontal and vertical components: horizontal acceleration is zero (constant velocity), vertical acceleration is g downwards (9.81 m s⁻²). Treat each component independently and use the same time of flight in both. For electrical circuit questions, always apply Kirchhoff's laws systematically. Kirchhoff's First Law (KCL): the sum of currents entering a junction equals the sum of currents leaving it (conservation of charge). Kirchhoff's Second Law (KVL): the algebraic sum of EMFs in any closed loop equals the algebraic sum of potential differences across the resistors in that loop (conservation of energy). For potential divider calculations: the voltage across a component in a potential divider is proportional to its resistance as a fraction of total resistance — Vout = Vin × (R₂/(R₁ + R₂)). The photoelectric effect is frequently assessed at AS Level and requires precise terminology. Light below the threshold frequency cannot eject photoelectrons, regardless of intensity — this is because each photon interacts with one electron and must have sufficient energy (hf ≥ φ, where φ is the work function) to liberate it. Increasing intensity below the threshold frequency only increases the number of photons arriving per second, not their individual energies. Above the threshold frequency, the maximum kinetic energy of ejected electrons is EK(max) = hf − φ — this is independent of intensity and increases linearly with frequency.

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OCR AS Level Physics A Past Papers

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June 2023

June 2022

November 2021

November 2020

June 2019

June 2018

June 2017

June 2016

No date

Mechanics, Waves, and Electrical Circuits in the Year 12 Physics A Curriculum

Exam Paper Structure

Key Information

Key Topics in Physics A

Exam Command Words

Typical Grade Boundaries

SUVAT Equations, Kirchhoff's Laws, and the Photoelectric Effect at AS Physics

More OCR AS Level Subjects

History A

Further Mathematics B (MEI)

Further Mathematics A

Religious Studies

Ancient History

Geography

Mathematics A

Music

Biology B (Advancing Biology)

Business

Chemistry B (Salters)

English Language

Physics B (Advancing Physics)

Economics

English Language and Literature (EMC)

Mathematics B (MEI)

Physical Education

Chemistry A

Design and Technology

Media Studies

Psychology

Biology A

Classical Civilisation

Computer Science

English Literature

Law

Drama and Theatre

Geology

Latin

Sociology

Art and Design

Classical Greek

Film Studies

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