PHYSICS-8PH0 · Pearson Edexcel AS Level
PHYSICS-8PH0/21
Paper 2
Physics · 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
4.0 / 5
160
180 min
Mechanics and Waves Applications
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
4.0 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A significant portion of marks resided in core mechanical derivations and experimental methods.
In Paper 1, the practical question on wire resistivity and the 11-mark mechanics sequence on the van's deceleration in gravel tested precision.
In Paper 2, Waves and the Particle Nature of Light led the marks, heavily featuring the photoelectric effect applied to lunar dust and scale-drawn lens magnification.
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: 5100%Experimental &
Weight: 480%Qualitative Explanation
Weight: 360%Graphical Analysis
Weight: 120%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
Method marks
Omission of intermediate formula substitution in 'show that' questions, costing easy method marks.
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. 58% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 49% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 41% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 33% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 24% 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
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Assess” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Criticise” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.3
Min per mark: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Digging up the Past (Mechanics)
38 marks this session
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
36 marks this session
Spare-part Surgery (Electricity)
26 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
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
Digging up the Past (Mechanics)
Spare-part Surgery (Electricity)
Digging up the Past (DIG) - Mechanics
Spare-part Surgery (SUR) - Electricity & Sensing
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: Core Physics I:
Paper 2: Core Physics II:
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
Digging up the Past (Mechanics)
38 marks this session
Practise in RevuiWaves and Particle Nature of Light
36 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSpare-part Surgery (Electricity)
26 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A significant portion of marks resided in core mechanical derivations and experimental methods.
- 2Message
In Paper 1, the practical question on wire resistivity and the 11-mark mechanics sequence on the van's deceleration in gravel tested precision.
- 3Message
In Paper 2, Waves and the Particle Nature of Light led the marks, heavily featuring the photoelectric effect applied to lunar dust and scale-drawn lens magnification.
- 4Method
Omission of intermediate formula substitution in 'show that' questions, costing easy method marks.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2024 2024
Physics
A significant portion of marks resided in core mechanical derivations and experimental methods. In Paper 1, the practical question on wire resistivity and the 11-mark mechanics sequence on the van's deceleration in gravel tested precision. In Paper 2, Waves and the Particle Natur
A significant portion of marks resided in core mechanical derivations and experimental methods.
In Paper 1, the practical question on wire resistivity and the 11-mark mechanics sequence on the van's deceleration in gravel tested precision.
In Paper 2, Waves and the Particle Nature of Light led the marks, heavily featuring the photoelectric effect applied to lunar dust and scale-drawn lens magnification.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 4.0 / 5
Session analysis
A significant portion of marks resided in core mechanical derivations and experimental methods. In Paper 1, the practical question on wire resistivity and the 11-mark mechanics sequence on the van's deceleration in gravel tested precision. In Paper 2, Waves and the Particle Nature of Light led the marks, heavily featuring the photoelectric effect applied to lunar dust and scale-drawn lens magnification.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: Core Physics I:
Paper 2: Core Physics II:
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.
78% 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.
Short Answer & Explanation
74·22·46%
Calculations & Graph plotting
70·18·44%
Multiple Choice
16·16·10%
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.
Paper 1 Section B (
0.80 m/minPaper 2 Section B (
0.89 m/minTotal marks
44
Total time
52 min
Avg pace
0.85
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
Superposition, Interference & Standing Waves
90%90%
Terminal Velocity with quantitative Stokes' Law
80%80%
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Bald Calculations: Providing a correct final numerical answer with no intermediate substitution of values in 'show that' steps resulted in zero marks. Always write down the substituted equation first.
- Resolution of Vectors: Confusing sin(θ)\sin(\theta)sin(θ) and cos(θ)\cos(\theta)cos(θ) when working parallel or perpendicular to inclined planes was a widespread error on the car down the slope and the lunar dust particle vector question.
- QWC Structure: On the asterisked questions (the flashing LED and the falling-ball viscosity experiment), candidates often listed facts without logical chronological linkages. To secure the full 6 marks, arguments must follow a causal sequence (e.g., temperature rise →\rightarrow→ viscosity decrease →\rightarrow→ higher terminal velocity for the same drag force).
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.