PHYSICS-YPH11 · Pearson Edexcel International A Level
PHYSICS-YPH11/11
Paper 1
Physics · 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.4 / 5
440
550 min
Mechanics, including translational motion, projectile trajectories, and moments of force
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
440
Duration
550 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The May/June 2023 Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level (IAL) Physics suite presents a balanced but rigorous challenge across all six units.
With an overall difficulty index of 3.4 out of 5.0 (equivalent to 3 stars), the exam series maintains the standard expectation for the specification.
While the core calculations in Mechanics and Waves are accessible to well-prepared candidates, the descriptive and synoptic questions in Units 4 and 5 demand a highly sophisticated command of terminology.
In particular, Unit 5 continues to be a high-discriminator paper due to the integration of thermal physics and cosmological scales.
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%Physical Conceptual
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. 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 “that” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 1.6
Min per mark: 1.6
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.2
Min per mark: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Mechanics
73 marks this session
Electric Circuits
54 marks this session
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
49 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
Electric and Magnetic Fields
Mechanics
Electric Circuits
Materials
Thermodynamics
Astrophysics and Cosmology
Oscillations
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
WPH11/01 Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials: WPH12/01 Unit 2: Waves and Electricity: WPH13/01 Unit 3: Practical Skills in Physics I: WPH14/01 Unit 4: Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles: WPH15/01 Unit 5: Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology: WPH16/01 Unit 6: Practical Skills in 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
Mechanics
73 marks this session
Practise in RevuiElectric Circuits
54 marks this session
Practise in RevuiWaves and Particle Nature of Light
49 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The May/June 2023 Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level (IAL) Physics suite presents a balanced but rigorous challenge across all six units.
- 2Message
With an overall difficulty index of 3.4 out of 5.0 (equivalent to 3 stars), the exam series maintains the standard expectation for the specification.
- 3Message
While the core calculations in Mechanics and Waves are accessible to well-prepared candidates, the descriptive and synoptic questions in Units 4 and 5 demand a highly sophisticated command of terminology.
- 4Message
In particular, Unit 5 continues to be a high-discriminator paper due to the integration of thermal physics and cosmological scales.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2023 2023
Physics
The May/June 2023 Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level (IAL) Physics suite presents a balanced but rigorous challenge across all six units. With an overall difficulty index of 3.4 out of 5.0 (equivalent to 3 stars), the exam series maintains the standard expectation for t
The May/June 2023 Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level (IAL) Physics suite presents a balanced but rigorous challenge across all six units.
With an overall difficulty index of 3.4 out of 5.0 (equivalent to 3 stars), the exam series maintains the standard expectation for the specification.
While the core calculations in Mechanics and Waves are accessible to well-prepared candidates, the descriptive and synoptic questions in Units 4 and 5 demand a highly sophisticated command of terminology.
- Total marks
- 440
- Duration
- 550 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.4 / 5
Session analysis
The May/June 2023 Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level (IAL) Physics suite presents a balanced but rigorous challenge across all six units. With an overall difficulty index of 3.4 out of 5.0 (equivalent to 3 stars), the exam series maintains the standard expectation for the specification. While the core calculations in Mechanics and Waves are accessible to well-prepared candidates, the descriptive and synoptic questions in Units 4 and 5 demand a highly sophisticated command of terminology. In particular, Unit 5 continues to be a high-discriminator paper due to the integration of thermal physics and cosmological scales.
Updated Jun 12, 2026
Paper breakdown
WPH11/01 Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials: WPH12/01 Unit 2: Waves and Electricity: WPH13/01 Unit 3: Practical Skills in Physics I: WPH14/01 Unit 4: Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles: WPH15/01 Unit 5: Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology: WPH16/01 Unit 6: Practical Skills in 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.
73% 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 / Structured Calculation
280·65·64%
Extended Writing / Explanation
120·18·27%
Multiple Choice
(MCQ)
40·40·9%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Unit 1: Mechanics a
0.50 m/minUnit 2: Waves and E
0.89 m/minUnit 3: Practical S
0.63 m/minUnit 4: Further Mec
0.86 m/minUnit 5: Thermodynam
0.86 m/minUnit 6: Practical S
0.63 m/minTotal marks
380
Total time
500 min
Avg pace
0.76
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.
Electromagnetic Induction and AC Generators
85%85%
Cosmology and Hubble's Law
80%80%
Executive Difficulty Verdict
The May/June 2023 Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level (IAL) Physics suite presents a balanced but rigorous challenge across all six units. With an overall difficulty index of 3.4 out of 5.0 (equivalent to 3 stars), the exam series maintains the standard expectation for the specification. While the core calculations in Mechanics and Waves are accessible to well-prepared candidates, the descriptive and synoptic questions in Units 4 and 5 demand a highly sophisticated command of terminology. In particular, Unit 5 continues to be a high-discriminator paper due to the integration of thermal physics and cosmological scales.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.