How to Revise for Physics (GCSE & A-Level)

Physics is one of the most challenging subjects, but with the right revision strategy, you can master the key concepts and tackle even the trickiest exam questions. If you're wondering how to revise for physics, you're not alone—many students struggle to find the best approach.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to revise for GCSE and A-level physics, covering vital techniques like using specifications, mark schemes, and examiner’s reports. These strategies will help you revise smarter and feel more confident on exam day.

Let’s get started…

How to Revise for GCSE Physics

1. Make use of the specification

The specification is your ultimate guide to what you need to know for GCSE Physics. Exam boards outline all the topics you’ll be tested on, including key concepts, required practicals, and the equations you must memorize.

How to use the specification effectively

• Identify key topics – Go through the specification and highlight the major areas, such as forces, energy, electricity, and atomic structure.

• Check required practicals – Many exam boards, like AQA and OCR, assess practical skills. Make sure you understand how each required experiment works and what conclusions you should be able to draw.

• Use it as a checklist – As you revise, tick off topics you’ve covered to ensure you don’t miss anything.

• Look at command words – Exam boards specify terms like "describe," "explain," and "calculate." Understanding what each one means can help you structure answers correctly.

Since different exam boards have slightly different specifications, always refer to your own exam board’s document. You can find it on your exam board’s official website.

Using the specification: AQA GCSE Physics example

To show how you can use your exam board’s specification effectively, let’s break down a section from the AQA GCSE Physics specification on Energy Stores and Systems.

Credits: AQA

1. Understand what the spec tells you

The section focuses on energy stores and systems, which means students should understand how energy is stored and transferred in different scenarios. 

Make a summary sheet listing different types of energy stores (e.g., kinetic, thermal, gravitational potential) and how energy moves between them.

2. Apply it to real-life examples

The specification lists common situations where energy changes occur (e.g., an object projected upwards, a moving car slowing down).

For each example, explain step-by-step how energy is transferred. For instance:

• An object projected upwards: Kinetic energy (from the throw) → Gravitational potential energy (as it rises).

• A vehicle slowing down: Kinetic energy → Thermal energy (due to friction in the brakes).

Practicing these explanations will help in both multiple-choice and long-answer questions.

3. Practice calculations

The spec states that students should calculate energy changes using formulas. Make a formula flashcard deck and practice using these formulas in exam-style questions.

4. Use links to other topics

The spec mentions connections to energy transfers in circuits, which will appear later in the exam. When revising energy transfers, connect topics (e.g., circuits & energy transfer) to understand how different concepts fit together.

2. Break Down the Mark Scheme

Understanding the mark scheme is key to scoring well in GCSE Physics. Unlike other subjects, Physics exams require precise explanations, correct calculations, and logical application of concepts.

1. Understand how marks are awarded

Physics mark schemes are structured around three assessment objectives:

• AO1 – Knowledge & understanding

Demonstrate knowledge of scientific ideas, techniques, and procedures.

Example: Recall the equation for kinetic energy.

• AO2 – Application

Apply your knowledge to new situations, interpret data, and solve problems.

Example: Use the kinetic energy equation to calculate the speed of a moving object.

• AO3 – Analysis & evaluation

Interpret, evaluate, and draw conclusions based on scientific information.

Example: Analyse a graph to explain how kinetic energy changes with velocity.

Bonus Tip: Understanding which AO the question is testing helps structure your answer properly.

Let’s look at a sample GCSE Physics question and analyse how marks are awarded.

Exam Question:

The results from the alpha particle scattering experiment led to the nuclear model.
Alpha particles were fired at a thin film of gold at a speed of 7% of the speed of light.

Determine the speed of the alpha particles.

Speed of light = 300,000,000 m/s
[2 marks]

Step-by-step breakdown using the mark scheme

1. Identify the Assessment objective (AO2 - Application)
This question requires students to apply knowledge to a calculation, meaning it falls under AO2 in the mark scheme.

2. Recognising the calculation method
The key here is to calculate 7% of the speed of light:

Correct Method (Full Marks - 2 Marks)

v=300,000,000 X 7100

v=21,000,000 m/s

This answer earns full marks (2 marks).

3. Understanding partial Credit
Even if the final answer is incorrect, students can still get 1 mark for attempting the correct method:

• 1 Mark – If the student correctly sets up a calculation to find 7% of 300,000,000, but makes a calculation error.

• 0 Marks – If no valid working is shown, even if the final answer is guessed correctly.

4. Recognising equivalent answers
Physics mark schemes often accept different formats for numbers.

• 21,000,000 m/s  (Full marks)

• 2.1 × 10⁷ m/s (Scientific notation also accepted)

Key Takeaways:

• Always show your working—even if you make a mistake, you might earn method marks.

• Use scientific notation where appropriate (as examiners often accept different answer formats).

• Check the number of marks—if a question is worth 2 marks, there’s usually a calculation step and a final answer.

• Be precise with units—in this case, meters per second (m/s) is expected.

Bonus Tip: If you’re unsure of the final answer, write out the method clearly to secure at least 1 mark.

3. Understand the Examiners’ Report

Examiners’ reports provide valuable insights into common mistakes, areas where students lose marks, and what differentiates top-grade answers from weaker responses. 

1. Identify common mistakes

Examiners often highlight frequent errors made by students. Some recurring issues in Physics exams include:

• Misapplying formulas – Using the wrong equation or not rearranging it correctly.

• Forgetting units – Many students lose marks for missing units (e.g., writing ‘21,000,000’ instead of ‘21,000,000 m/s’).

• Lack of working out – Even if the final answer is correct, not showing the method can result in lost marks.

• Weak explanations – Many students struggle to clearly explain why a process happens in Physics.

While revising, make a list of common mistakes mentioned in examiner reports and check your own answers for these errors.

2. Learn from top answers

Examiners’ reports don’t just highlight mistakes—they also explain what high-scoring students do well. These include:

• Clear, structured answers – Top students organise their answers logically, making it easy for the examiner to follow their reasoning.

• Applying Physics concepts properly – Rather than just memorising, they show a deep understanding by applying concepts to real-world problems.

• Using correct terminology – Scientific language is important; vague explanations don’t score well.

Bonus Tip: Compare your answers to the best responses in examiner reports to see how to improve clarity and precision.

4. Master Formulas 

Physics exams often require students to recall and apply formulas correctly. The challenge isn’t just memorising them—it’s knowing when and how to use them based on the information given in a question.

• Understand the formula, don’t just memorise it: Instead of rote memorisation, break down each formula to understand what it represents.

• Recognise clues in exam questions: Examiners won’t always tell you which formula to use, but they give hints through the units and keywords in the question.

Example Question:
A sound wave has a frequency of 400 Hz and a wavelength of 0.85 m. Calculate the speed of the wave.

Identify given data:

• Frequency (f) = 400 Hz

• Wavelength (λ) = 0.85 m

• Looking for v (wave speed)

Choose the right formula:
Since we have frequency and wavelength, use:

v=fλ

Substitute values:

v=400×0.85

v=340 m/s

Tip: Underline given values in exam questions and match them to symbols in your formula sheet.

How to Revise for A-Level Physics

1. Use your specification

For A-Level Physics, the specification becomes even more crucial because of the depth and complexity of the topics. Students should use it to:

• Identify required knowledge – A-Level exams often assess not just memorisation but the application of concepts. Breaking the specification into smaller topics can help students plan focused revision sessions.

• Recognise synoptic links – Many topics in A-Level Physics are interconnected (e.g., mechanics linking to electric fields). The specification can highlight these connections.

• Understand the level of detail required – Some topics may require qualitative understanding, while others demand detailed mathematical application. The spec often clarifies this.

2. Understand the A-level physics mark scheme

1. Mastering derivations & proof-based questions

Unlike GCSE, where formulas are often provided, A-Level students frequently need to derive or prove equations before applying them. Mark schemes reward:

• Correct starting equations from first principles or fundamental laws.

• Logical, step-by-step derivation with clear reasoning.

• Proper use of units and significant figures throughout calculations.

Tip: Practise breaking down derivations into manageable steps—examiners look for a clear method, not just the final answer.

2. Balancing calculation & explanation-based questions

Many students excel at numerical answers but struggle with written explanations, which are essential in A-Level exams. Mark schemes credit:

• Precise scientific terminology (e.g., 'the rate of charge carrier movement increases' rather than 'electrons move faster').

• Logical reasoning that links cause and effect rather than vague descriptions.

• Use of technical terms to demonstrate a strong grasp of concepts.

Example: A question asks why increasing temperature affects resistance in a metal wire.

A weak answer: "The resistance increases because the wire gets hotter."

A high-scoring answer: "As temperature increases, metal ions vibrate more, leading to more frequent electron-ion collisions, increasing resistance."

3. Leverage on key insights from the examiners’ report

Examiners’ reports provide valuable feedback on common mistakes and areas where students can improve. Many A-Level Physics questions require precise reasoning, careful use of equations, and clear explanations of physical concepts. 

Let’s break down some key takeaways from an examiner’s report to see how students can apply this feedback to their own revision.

Credits: AQA

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

Credits: AQA

• Misidentifying Symbols & Particles

Many students lost marks for writing incorrect symbols (e.g., using ‘a’ instead of the alpha particle symbol). This highlights the importance of memorizing standard notation and particle symbols to avoid unnecessary mistakes.

• Incomplete or vague explanations

For a question about the W⁻ boson, many students correctly identified the particle but failed to explain the charge’s significance. This shows that just stating the answer isn’t enough—students must provide reasoning based on fundamental physics principles. When revising, practice writing full explanations rather than just recalling facts.

• Misinterpreting data & evidence

In a spectral analysis question, many students struggled to clearly link the evidence to the element being discussed. Instead of answering directly, some focused on comparing the wrong spectral lines. When dealing with data-based questions, always identify what the question is asking first before interpreting the evidence.

• Errors in calculations

Most students completed the calculation correctly, but some lost marks by using incorrect energy difference values. To avoid calculation errors, always double-check that you’re using the correct equation and values. Units and significant figures are also crucial—mark schemes often reward correct precision.

• Confusion in conceptual questions

In a photon and energy level question, many students explained excitation rather than emission, leading to confusion. A-Level Physics often requires distinguishing between related concepts, so practice explaining each process separately to ensure clarity.

How to use this in your revision

• When answering past paper questions, compare your responses to the examiner's reports to see where students commonly go wrong.

• For explanation-based questions, practice structuring your answers logically—define key terms, explain step-by-step, and justify your reasoning.

• Focus on precision—both in calculations and in scientific language. Examiners reward clear, well-reasoned responses over vague or generic explanations.

4. Master all formulas

When it comes to mastering formulas and equations, flashcards are a game-changer. They help you memorise key information in bite-sized chunks, which is perfect for Maths and Physics. Here’s how to make the most of them:

How to use flashcards effectively:

• Write the formula on one side – Include both the equation and any constants involved.

• On the other side, write a short explanation of what the formula represents, how to use it, and if possible, its derivation or proof.

• Use images or diagrams where appropriate – For example, a diagram of a circuit can help you remember the formula for electrical power.

• Test yourself regularly – Try to recall the formulas before checking your flashcards to reinforce your memory.

Mnemonics are also great for remembering tricky formulas or steps. Here are some common ones you might already know:

• Wizards Fight Dragons: (Work = Force × Distance)

• Power Every Time: (Power = Energy ÷ Time)

• King Elephants March Very fast: (Kinetic Energy = ½ mass × velocity²)

• Giant Monkeys Run: (Gravitational field strength = Gravitational constant × mass ÷ distance²)

• Very Unusual Antelopes Time-travel: (Velocity = Initial velocity + acceleration × time)

• Light Can Flow: (Wavelength = Speed of light ÷ frequency)

• Rats Prefer Long Areas: (Resistance = Resistivity × Length ÷ Area)

• Quick Mice Change Temperature: (Heat energy = mass × specific heat × temperature change)

• Silly Inchworms Run: (Refractive index = sine of incidence ÷ sine of refraction)

Boost Your Exam Confidence with Expert Support

Revising for your GCSEs doesn’t have to be stressful. By using effective strategies—such as understanding your specification, mastering the mark scheme, analysing past essays, and engaging in thoughtful discussions—you can build your confidence and elevate your exam performance.

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