PHYSICS · HKDSE
PHYSICS/21
(Elective Curriculum)
Physics · 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA)
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.4 / 5
33
50 min
Force and Newton’s laws
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
33
Duration
50 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5
Level 5**
~93% of max
Level 5*
~86% of max
Level 5
~77% of max
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The 2024 HKDSE Physics Paper 1A maintains a standard difficulty level (rated 3 stars out of 5), requiring sound foundational knowledge. It contains a classic blend of qualitative conceptual traps and quantitative multi-step derivations. While standard topics like kinematics and e
It contains a classic blend of qualitative conceptual traps and quantitative multi-step derivations.
While standard topics like kinematics and electrical networks remain highly accessible, mechanics and optics demand rigorous analysis to avoid common traps.
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
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Conceptual Understanding
Weight: 7100%Mathematical
Weight: 571%Graphical
Weight: 457%Analysis
Weight: 343%Logical
Weight: 229%Deduction & Logical
Weight: 114%
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
Reporting source
HKEAA Subject Examination Report — comments on candidates’ performance with marking schemes
Level 5**
Outstanding — competitive JUPAS programmes (medicine, law, top faculties)
Level 5*
Excellent — strong JUPAS profile for selective programmes
Level 5
Good — meets most university entrance requirements
Level 4
Satisfactory — foundation programmes or less selective routes
Level 3
Pass threshold for many sub-degree and vocational pathways
Admission context
Levels feed JUPAS and non-JUPAS university applications; 5** and 5* are most selective
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
Match the expected response style for “Which” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Estimate” questions.
Match the expected response style for “How” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.6
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Force and Newton’s laws
5 marks this session
Circuits and Domestic Electricity
4 marks this session
Nature and Properties of Waves
4 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
Light: reflection, refraction, diffraction, lenses (Wave Motion)
Circuits and Domestic Electricity
Circuits and Domestic Electricity (Electricity and Magnetism)
Electromagnetism & electromagnetic induction (Electricity and Magnetism)
Nature and Properties of Waves
Electromagnetism & electromagnetic induction
Photoelectric effect (Atomic World Elective)
Light: reflection, refraction, diffraction, lenses
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1A (Multiple-choice):
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
Force and Newton’s laws
5 marks this session
Practise in RevuiCircuits and Domestic Electricity
4 marks this session
Practise in RevuiNature and Properties of Waves
4 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The 2024 HKDSE Physics Paper 1A maintains a standard difficulty level (rated 3 stars out of 5), requiring sound foundational knowledge. It contains a classic blend of qualitative conceptual traps and quantitative multi-step derivations. While standard topics like kinematics and e
- 2Message
It contains a classic blend of qualitative conceptual traps and quantitative multi-step derivations.
- 3Message
While standard topics like kinematics and electrical networks remain highly accessible, mechanics and optics demand rigorous analysis to avoid common traps.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2024 2024
Physics
The 2024 HKDSE Physics Paper 1A maintains a standard difficulty level (rated 3 stars out of 5), requiring sound foundational knowledge. It contains a classic blend of qualitative conceptual traps and quantitative multi-step derivations. While standard topics like kinematics and e
The 2024 HKDSE Physics Paper 1A maintains a standard difficulty level (rated 3 stars out of 5), requiring sound foundational knowledge. It contains a classic blend of qualitative conceptual traps and quantitative multi-step derivations. While standard topics like kinematics and e
It contains a classic blend of qualitative conceptual traps and quantitative multi-step derivations.
While standard topics like kinematics and electrical networks remain highly accessible, mechanics and optics demand rigorous analysis to avoid common traps.
- Total marks
- 33
- Duration
- 50 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.4 / 5
- Level 5**
- ~93% of max
- Level 5*
- ~86% of max
- Level 5
- ~77% of max
Session analysis
The 2024 HKDSE Physics Paper 1A maintains a standard difficulty level (rated 3 stars out of 5), requiring sound foundational knowledge. It contains a classic blend of qualitative conceptual traps and quantitative multi-step derivations. While standard topics like kinematics and electrical networks remain highly accessible, mechanics and optics demand rigorous analysis to avoid common traps.
Updated Jun 11, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1A (Multiple-choice):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
82% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Multiple-choice
33·33·100%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Wave Motion (Q14-22)
0.64 m/minTotal marks
9
Total time
14 min
Avg pace
0.64
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Projectile Motion
90%90%
Gases: laws and kinetic theory
85%85%
Difficulty Verdict
The 2024 HKDSE Physics Paper 1A maintains a standard difficulty level (rated 3 stars out of 5), requiring sound foundational knowledge. It contains a classic blend of qualitative conceptual traps and quantitative multi-step derivations. While standard topics like kinematics and electrical networks remain highly accessible, mechanics and optics demand rigorous analysis to avoid common traps.
Where the Marks Are
Force and Motion remains the heaviest component, accounting for nearly 30% of the total marks in Section A. Key areas such as Newton's Laws and momentum change are heavily tested. Electricity and Magnetism and Wave Motion form the next pillars, requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in resistor networks, electromagnetic induction, and interference path-difference calculations.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- The Toppling Trap (Q10): Students often struggle to correctly identify the pivot point (the contact point with the ground) and establish the correct balance of moments of forces.
- Wave Interference Phase Difference (Q17): Misunderstanding that for anti-phase sources, a path difference of integer wavelengths nλ n\lambda nλ results in destructive interference rather than constructive.
- Internal vs. External Forces (Q9): Conceptual confusion regarding internal forces and their inability to produce acceleration of the system's center of mass.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h
- Total marks
- 36
- Weighting
- 20%
- Question types
- MCQ, Structured Question
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.