GCSE Physics

The last examination for this specification is summer 2012. There will be one opportunity to re-sit the external examinations in January 2013.

This specification is being replaced by a new one for first teaching from September 2011.

June 2012 exams update:
Exam tips – how students can make best use of answer books

June 2012 Physics

Unit code	Title	Numbering system	Type of answer book	No pp	Provided by student
PHY1AP	Unit 1A		OT	n/a	Black ball point pen
PHY1BP	Unit 1B		OT	n/a	Black ball point pen
PHY1F	Unit 1F	Conventional	Combined	n/a	Ruler
PHY1H	Unit 1H	Conventional	Combined	n/a	Ruler
PHY2F	Unit 2F	Conventional	Combined	n/a	Ruler
PHY2H	Unit 2H	Conventional	Combined	n/a	Ruler
PHY3F	Unit 3F	Conventional	Combined	n/a	Ruler
PHY3H	Unit 3H	Conventional	Combined	n/a	Ruler

General advice

Students should:

read all instructions on the front cover and at the start of each section of the question paper
read each question carefully before responding, especially where there are optional question(s)
remember that questions can appear on all pages of a question paper, including the final page.

Combined question paper answer books

Students should look at the number of marks and the line space allocated to each question and write answers of an appropriate length.

If a student needs more space to answer a question, they must:
either use the white space immediately beneath the lined answer space and before the start of the next question
or ask for an AQA four-page Supplementary answer book.

They should not:

use the answer space for a different question
write in the margin
respond elsewhere in the answer book.

Separate answer books and the two-digit numbering system

Students worked well with the two-digit numbering system and separate answer books in 2011 exams; thank you for ensuring that the guidance was applied successfully. We have updated our guides for students, teachers and exams officers / invigilators to reflect the general advice given above.

Further information

A reminder: question paper style and marking answers on screen
Exams with separate question papers and answer books (unconstrained answer books) will use:

our simplified, two-digit question numbering system
answer books with spaces for students to write the two-digit question numbers.

For additional guidance see:

Question papers and mark schemes:

Summer 2011 materials are available to schools / colleges in the Secure Key Materials area of e-AQA
Specimen materials are available from the subject pages of aqa.org.uk

Examples of students' work:

AQA Research team papers:

Marking answers on screen

New AQA Numbering System

Nested Numbering

Teacher CPD spring 2012 course available for booking now!

AQA teacher CPD is offering the following AQA Excellence GCSE Science meeting which you may be interested in:

Improving the Quality of Written Communication in Science (a repeat from autumn 2011)

Would you like to:

be more familiar with the changes to external assessments?
be more confident teaching students to write extended answers?

Course objectives

In this practical workshop you will learn to:

identify the challenges for students within exam papers
describe the features of different texts
use discussion to support writing
explain how to write an extended answer
share ideas for the integration of writing opportunities in the scheme of learning

and have the opportunity to share your experiences with colleagues from other schools and colleges.

To find out more or to book a place visit our online booking service, Courses and Events, and search for the meeting above!

English Bacc

The introduction of the new English Bacc affects every school in the country.

To achieve the English Bacc, a student must gain A* to C grades for a number of qualifications in different subject components. Find out which qualifications are included in the Science component at our English Bacc web pages.

Secure Key Materials

Secure Key Materials is a new e-AQA service which replaces Recent Exam Materials from 1 September. It provides teachers and Exams Officers with exclusive access to a bank of exam-related material that is:

secure
easy to navigate
quick to use
intuitive, based on the design of our website.

Please read our new leaflet and look at the following demo to find out more about this new service.

The first 2010/2011 series-related documentation provided on the Secure Key Materials will be for the GCSE and GCE Science. Please note that the 2010/2011 ISA materials will be posted on the site (between 1 – 10 September) and not circulated on a CD as in previous years.

To obtain access to Secure Key Materials, please register for e-AQA. For more information about the documents published on Secure Key Materials, please don't hesitate to contact the Subject team.

Set 5 Teachers Notes

The Set 5 Teachers' Notes (June 2011 / June 2012) are now available.

Investigative Skills Assignments (ISAs)

GCSE Set 4 ISA CDs were despatched to current centres from the beginning of September 2009. New centres should contact the Science Subject Office to be put on the despatch list.

Coursework standardisation meetings

Centre Assessed Unit Standardisation Meetings are in the autumn term and are free of charge
We send centres the meeting dates in early September
Dates and availability of places are available on our online booking service, Courses and Events
If you are teaching this specification for the first time, please
contact us for an invitation.

Policy on attending coursework standardisation meetings

Science team