OCR A Physics Specification Structure

Course Structure and Modules

The OCR A Physics course content is divided into six core modules:

  • Module 1 – Development of Practical Skills in Physics: Focuses on practical skills, experimental techniques, data analysis, and evaluation methods carried out throughout the course.
  • Module 2 – Foundations of Physics: Focuses on fundamental physical concepts, including physical quantities, SI units, scalar and vector quantities, and measurement uncertainties.
  • Module 3 – Forces and Motion: Assesses force, motion, work, energy, power, momentum, charge, and material properties.
  • Module 4 – Electrons, Waves, and Photons: Assesses electrical circuits, resistance, wave properties, superposition, quantum physics, photons, and wave-particle duality.
  • Module 5 – Newtonian World and Astrophysics: Assesses thermal physics, circular motion, simple harmonic motion, gravitational fields, astrophysics, and cosmology.
  • Module 6 – Particles and Medical Physics: Assesses capacitors, electric fields, electromagnetism, nuclear physics, fundamental particles, medical imaging, and radioisotopes.

Assessment Components and Structure

The qualification is assessed through three written examination papers and a separate practical endorsement:

  • Modelling Physics (01)

    • Content Assessed: Assesses material from Module 1, Module 2, Module 3, and Module 5.
    • Mark Allocation: 100 marks.
    • Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes.
    • Assessment Type: Written paper.
    • Qualification Weighting: 37% of total A-level.

  • Exploring Physics (02)

    • Content Assessed: Assesses material from Module 1, Module 2, Module 4, and Module 6.
    • Mark Allocation: 100 marks.
    • Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes.
    • Assessment Type: Written paper.
    • Qualification Weighting: 37% of total A-level.

  • Unified Physics (03)

    • Content Assessed: Assesses synoptic content across all modules from Module 1 to Module 6.
    • Mark Allocation: 70 marks.
    • Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.
    • Assessment Type: Written paper.
    • Qualification Weighting: 26% of total A-level.

  • Practical Endorsement in Physics (04)

    • Content Assessed: Practical skills developed throughout the course.
    • Assessment Type: Non-exam assessment (no exam assessment).
    • Qualification Weighting: Reported separately alongside the final A-level grade.

Specification Overview Diagram

OCR A Physics Specification Structure Overview Table