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7407 · AQA AS Level

7407/21

(Practical Skills, Theory and Multiple Choice)

Physics · June 2022 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.8/5

Analysis source: AQA

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.8 / 5

Total marks

140

Duration

180 min

Most tested topic

Force, energy and momentum

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

140

Duration

180 min

Session difficulty

3.8 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The June 2022 AS Physics papers presented a rigorous challenge to candidates, striking a balance between classical mechanics, modern quantum concepts, and practical laboratory techniques.

2

With an overall difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, this series tested not just rote memorisation but deep analytical reasoning, particularly through graph-based evaluations and experimental uncertainty calculations.

Question difficulty map

How candidates performed on each question in this series

No data available in official reports

Assessment objectives

Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary

Mathematical6
Scientific Explanation5
Experimental3
Data & Graphical Analysis2
Graphical1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

MathematicalMathematicalScientific ExplanationScientificExplanationExperimentalExperimentalData & Graphical AnalysisData & GraphicalAnalysisGraphicalGraphical
SkillWeightShare
  • Mathematical

    Weight: 6100%
  • Scientific Explanation

    Weight: 583%
  • Experimental

    Weight: 350%
  • Data & Graphical Analysis

    Weight: 233%
  • Graphical

    Weight: 117%

Method marks watchlist

Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost

No data available in official reports

Recurring mistakes across years

Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject

No data available in official reports

Question choice intelligence

Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)

No data available in official reports

Level exemplars

What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like

No data available in official reports

Grade & admission context

How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards

Report type

Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary

Level A

Approx. 51% of maximum mark

Level B

Approx. 44% of maximum mark

Level C

Approx. 36% of maximum mark

Level D

Approx. 28% of maximum mark

Level E

Approx. 21% of maximum mark

Deep insights

What top candidates did

Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series

No data available in official reports

Command word playbook

How to match each command word to the expected response style

CalculateFrequency: 22

Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.

ExplainFrequency: 12

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

DiscussFrequency: 4

Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.

DetermineFrequency: 15

Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.

DeduceFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.

DescribeFrequency: 4

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

StateFrequency: 4

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

ShowFrequency: 3

Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Paper 2 Section A (…30m / 20 marks

Min per mark: 1.5

Paper 1 Structured25m / 20 marks

Min per mark: 1.3

Paper 2 Section B (…35m / 30 marks

Min per mark: 1.2

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Force, energy and momentum

35 marks this session

Current electricity

27 marks this session

Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena

16 marks this session

Particles

16 marks this session

MCQ trap analytics

Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary

No data available in official reports

Topic heatmap across years

Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject

Mark intensity

LowHigh
Topic
2022
2023
2024
Σ

Force, energy and momentum

35
45
46
126

Current electricity

27
23
50

Particles

16
17
33

Refraction, diffraction and interference

25
25

Limitation of physical measurements

20
20

Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena

16
16

Difficulty trend

How session difficulty has shifted across recent years

202220232024
2022 June 2022 · 3.8/52023 June 2023 · 4.0/52024 June 2024 · 4.0/5

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Paper 1:

70 marks90 min

Paper 2:

70 marks90 min

Marks you can still earn

Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit

No data available in official reports

Practise what examiners flagged

Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    The June 2022 AS Physics papers presented a rigorous challenge to candidates, striking a balance between classical mechanics, modern quantum concepts, and practical laboratory techniques.

  • 2Message

    With an overall difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, this series tested not just rote memorisation but deep analytical reasoning, particularly through graph-based evaluations and experimental uncertainty calculations.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

June 2022 2022

Physics

The June 2022 AS Physics papers presented a rigorous challenge to candidates, striking a balance between classical mechanics, modern quantum concepts, and practical laboratory techniques. With an overall difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, this series tested not just rote memorisat

  • The June 2022 AS Physics papers presented a rigorous challenge to candidates, striking a balance between classical mechanics, modern quantum concepts, and practical laboratory techniques.

  • With an overall difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, this series tested not just rote memorisation but deep analytical reasoning, particularly through graph-based evaluations and experimental uncertainty calculations.

Total marks
140
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5

Session analysis

The June 2022 AS Physics papers presented a rigorous challenge to candidates, striking a balance between classical mechanics, modern quantum concepts, and practical laboratory techniques. With an overall difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, this series tested not just rote memorisation but deep analytical reasoning, particularly through graph-based evaluations and experimental uncertainty calculations.

Updated Jun 14, 2026

Paper breakdown

Paper 1:

70 marks90 min

Paper 2:

70 marks90 min

Top chapters

Force, energy and momentum35 marks
Current electricity27 marks
Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena16 marks
Particles16 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Particles16 marks
Force, energy and momentum35 marks
Limitation of physical measurem14 marks
Current electricity27 marks
Progressive and stationary waves13 marks
Materials8 marks
Refraction, diffraction and int10 marks
Use of SI units and their prefi1 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

75% within easy or medium reach

45
60
35
Easy: 45 marksMedium: 60 marksHard: 35 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Calculate22 times
Explain12 times
Discuss4 times
Determine15 times
Deduce3 times
Describe4 times
State4 times
Show3 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

140Marks
  • Structured Calculation

    65·40·46%

  • Structured Explanation/Discussion

    45·15·32%

  • Multiple Choice

    30·30·21%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Force, energy and …Current electricityLimitation of phys…ParticlesElectromagnetic ra…

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Paper 1 Structured

0.80 m/min
20
25

Paper 2 Section A (…

0.67 m/min
20
30

Paper 2 Section B (…

0.86 m/min
30
35

Total marks

70

Total time

90 min

Avg pace

0.78

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Progressive and stationary waves (Superposition)

4%

4%

Materials (Stress-strain calculations)

4%

4%

Refraction and total internal reflection

4%

4%

June 2022 AQA AS Physics (7407) Exam Analysis

The June 2022 AS Physics papers presented a rigorous challenge to candidates, striking a balance between classical mechanics, modern quantum concepts, and practical laboratory techniques. With an overall difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, this series tested not just rote memorisation but deep analytical reasoning, particularly through graph-based evaluations and experimental uncertainty calculations.

Exam tips

Paper format

Duration
1h 30min
Total marks
70
Weighting
50%
Question types
Data Analysis & Graphical Interpretation, Structured Calculation & Explanation, Multiple Choice

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

7407/21 — AQA AS Level Physics (June 2022) | Revui