9630 · Oxford AQA International A Level
9630/11
Paper 1
Physics · 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Oxford AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
400
600 min
Measurements, uncertainties, and thermodynamics
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
400
Duration
600 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The January 2024 Oxford AQA International Physics series presented a robust and challenging set of papers across all five units.
With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, it tested students on intricate conceptual explanations, demanding graphical work, and extensive multi-step mathematical derivations.
While straightforward calculation questions offered accessible marks, the conceptual 'explain' questions and rigorous uncertainty analyses pushed the overall difficulty into the higher bands.
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.
Mathematical & Calculation
Weight: 7100%Practical & Experimental
Weight: 686%Conceptual Explanation
Weight: 457%Data & Graphical Analysis
Weight: 229%Graphical
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
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level A*
Approx. 90% of maximum mark
Level A
Approx. 80% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 70% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 60% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 50% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 40% 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
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Sketch” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 3.6
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.4
Min per mark: 1.4
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Limitation of physical measurements
31 marks this session
Oscillating systems
21 marks this session
Energy transfer by heating and doing work
19 marks this session
Rotational motion
18 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
Limitation of physical measurements
Newton’s gravitational law
Electromagnetic induction
Newton’s laws of motion
Radioactivity
Interference (Oscillations and waves)
Induced fission
Ideal gases
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Unit 1: Mechanics, materials and atoms: Unit 2: Electricity, waves and particles: Unit 3: Fields and their consequences: Unit 4: Energy and Energy resources: Unit 5: Physics in practice:
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
Limitation of physical measurements
31 marks this session
Practise in RevuiOscillating systems
21 marks this session
Practise in RevuiEnergy transfer by heating and doing work
19 marks this session
Practise in RevuiRotational motion
18 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The January 2024 Oxford AQA International Physics series presented a robust and challenging set of papers across all five units.
- 2Message
With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, it tested students on intricate conceptual explanations, demanding graphical work, and extensive multi-step mathematical derivations.
- 3Message
While straightforward calculation questions offered accessible marks, the conceptual 'explain' questions and rigorous uncertainty analyses pushed the overall difficulty into the higher bands.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2024 2024
Physics
The January 2024 Oxford AQA International Physics series presented a robust and challenging set of papers across all five units. With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, it tested students on intricate conceptual explanations, demanding graphical work, and extensive multi-step ma
The January 2024 Oxford AQA International Physics series presented a robust and challenging set of papers across all five units.
With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, it tested students on intricate conceptual explanations, demanding graphical work, and extensive multi-step mathematical derivations.
While straightforward calculation questions offered accessible marks, the conceptual 'explain' questions and rigorous uncertainty analyses pushed the overall difficulty into the higher bands.
- Total marks
- 400
- Duration
- 600 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The January 2024 Oxford AQA International Physics series presented a robust and challenging set of papers across all five units. With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, it tested students on intricate conceptual explanations, demanding graphical work, and extensive multi-step mathematical derivations. While straightforward calculation questions offered accessible marks, the conceptual 'explain' questions and rigorous uncertainty analyses pushed the overall difficulty into the higher bands.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
Unit 1: Mechanics, materials and atoms: Unit 2: Electricity, waves and particles: Unit 3: Fields and their consequences: Unit 4: Energy and Energy resources: Unit 5: Physics in practice:
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.
75% 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.
Structured / Short Answer
342·92·86%
Multiple Choice
(MCQ)
58·58·14%
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.
Unit 1: Section A
0.70 m/minUnit 1: Section B
0.70 m/minUnit 2: Section A
0.70 m/minUnit 2: Section B
0.70 m/minUnit 3: Section A
0.75 m/minUnit 3: Section B
0.68 m/minUnit 4: Section A
0.68 m/minUnit 4: Section B
0.68 m/minUnit 5: Section A
0.28 m/minTotal marks
138
Total time
246 min
Avg pace
0.56
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.
Capacitors and discharge curves
90%90%
Exponential changes in radioactivity
85%85%
Overall Difficulty Verdict
The January 2024 Oxford AQA International Physics series presented a robust and challenging set of papers across all five units. With a difficulty index of 3.8 out of 5, it tested students on intricate conceptual explanations, demanding graphical work, and extensive multi-step mathematical derivations. While straightforward calculation questions offered accessible marks, the conceptual 'explain' questions and rigorous uncertainty analyses pushed the overall difficulty into the higher bands.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.