9630 · Oxford AQA International AS Level
9630/21
Paper 2
Physics · 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Oxford AQA
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
240
360 min
Simple Harmonic Motion
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
240
Duration
360 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The January 2024 Oxford AQA International AS and A-Level Physics papers (PH01, PH02, and PH03) presented a balanced yet mathematically rigorous set of challenges.
With a heavy focus on application-based problems and experimental skills, this series tested students' ability to go beyond rote memorization and show true physical intuition.
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
Weight: 6100%Experimental
Weight: 583%Conceptual Explanation
Weight: 467%Graphical Interpretation
Weight: 233%
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. 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.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
Present multiple perspectives with evidence; balance breadth and depth.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 1.9
Min per mark: 1.7
Min per mark: 1.7
Min per mark: 1.5
Min per mark: 1.5
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Simple harmonic motion (Circular and periodic motion)
34 marks this session
Limitation of physical measurements (Measurements and their errors)
21 marks this session
Moving charges in a magnetic field (Magnetic fields)
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
Simple harmonic motion
Motion along a straight line
Simple harmonic motion (Circular and periodic motion)
Radioactivity
Electric field strength
Limitation of physical measurements
Limitation of physical measurements (Measurements and their errors)
Moving charges in a magnetic field (Magnetic fields)
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
PH01 Mechanics, materials and atoms: PH02 Electricity, waves and particles: PH03 Fields and their consequences:
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
Simple harmonic motion (Circular and periodic motion)
34 marks this session
Practise in RevuiLimitation of physical measurements (Measurements and their errors)
21 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMoving charges in a magnetic field (Magnetic fields)
16 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 AS and A-Level Physics papers (PH01, PH02, and PH03) presented a balanced yet mathematically rigorous set of challenges.
- 2Message
With a heavy focus on application-based problems and experimental skills, this series tested students' ability to go beyond rote memorization and show true physical intuition.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2024 2024
Physics
The January 2024 Oxford AQA International AS and A-Level Physics papers (PH01, PH02, and PH03) presented a balanced yet mathematically rigorous set of challenges. With a heavy focus on application-based problems and experimental skills, this series tested students' ability to go
The January 2024 Oxford AQA International AS and A-Level Physics papers (PH01, PH02, and PH03) presented a balanced yet mathematically rigorous set of challenges.
With a heavy focus on application-based problems and experimental skills, this series tested students' ability to go beyond rote memorization and show true physical intuition.
- Total marks
- 240
- Duration
- 360 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The January 2024 Oxford AQA International AS and A-Level Physics papers (PH01, PH02, and PH03) presented a balanced yet mathematically rigorous set of challenges. With a heavy focus on application-based problems and experimental skills, this series tested students' ability to go beyond rote memorization and show true physical intuition.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
PH01 Mechanics, materials and atoms: PH02 Electricity, waves and particles: PH03 Fields and their consequences:
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.
77% 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
197·50·82%
Multiple Choice
43·43·18%
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.
PH01 Section A (Str
0.50 m/minPH01 Section B (Dat
0.60 m/minPH01 Section C (MCQ
0.70 m/minPH02 Section A (Str
0.68 m/minPH02 Section B (Dat
0.53 m/minPH02 Section C (MCQ
0.70 m/minPH03 Section A (Str
0.68 m/minPH03 Section B (MCQ
0.60 m/minTotal marks
203
Total time
315 min
Avg pace
0.64
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Capacitor charge and discharge
90%90%
Optical Fibres and Modal Dispersion
85%85%
The Young Modulus (Wire extension practical)
80%80%
January 2024 Exam Analysis: Verdict and Strategy
The January 2024 Oxford AQA International AS and A-Level Physics papers (PH01, PH02, and PH03) presented a balanced yet mathematically rigorous set of challenges. With a heavy focus on application-based problems and experimental skills, this series tested students' ability to go beyond rote memorization and show true physical intuition.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.