PHYSICS-YPH11 · Pearson Edexcel International A Level
PHYSICS-YPH11/11
Paper 1
Physics · 2024 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.8 / 5
440
550 min
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
440
Duration
550 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The January 2024 Edexcel International AS/A Level Physics examination series proved to be a challenging but balanced assessment, placing a high premium on conceptual linkage and precision in quantitative derivations.
Across the entire suite, examiners moved away from trivial recall, opting instead for multi-step reasoning and applications of fundamental formulas in unfamiliar contexts.
Students who relied purely on rote-learning faced significant resistance, particularly in Unit 1 and Unit 4, where vector manipulation and mathematical modeling dictated the grade boundaries.
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%Conceptual
Weight: 480%Explanation
Weight: 360%Analysis & G
Weight: 240%Experimental
Weight: 120%
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 “Deduce” questions.
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “that” 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
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
74 marks this session
Electric and Magnetic Fields
61 marks this session
Mechanics
58 marks this session
Materials
52 marks this session
Electric Circuits
42 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
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
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
74 marks this session
Practise in RevuiElectric and Magnetic Fields
61 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMechanics
58 marks this session
Practise in RevuiMaterials
52 marks this session
Practise in RevuiElectric Circuits
42 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 Edexcel International AS/A Level Physics examination series proved to be a challenging but balanced assessment, placing a high premium on conceptual linkage and precision in quantitative derivations.
- 2Message
Across the entire suite, examiners moved away from trivial recall, opting instead for multi-step reasoning and applications of fundamental formulas in unfamiliar contexts.
- 3Message
Students who relied purely on rote-learning faced significant resistance, particularly in Unit 1 and Unit 4, where vector manipulation and mathematical modeling dictated the grade boundaries.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2024 2024
Physics
The January 2024 Edexcel International AS/A Level Physics examination series proved to be a challenging but balanced assessment, placing a high premium on conceptual linkage and precision in quantitative derivations. Across the entire suite, examiners moved away from trivial reca
The January 2024 Edexcel International AS/A Level Physics examination series proved to be a challenging but balanced assessment, placing a high premium on conceptual linkage and precision in quantitative derivations.
Across the entire suite, examiners moved away from trivial recall, opting instead for multi-step reasoning and applications of fundamental formulas in unfamiliar contexts.
Students who relied purely on rote-learning faced significant resistance, particularly in Unit 1 and Unit 4, where vector manipulation and mathematical modeling dictated the grade boundaries.
- Total marks
- 440
- Duration
- 550 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.8 / 5
Session analysis
The January 2024 Edexcel International AS/A Level Physics examination series proved to be a challenging but balanced assessment, placing a high premium on conceptual linkage and precision in quantitative derivations. Across the entire suite, examiners moved away from trivial recall, opting instead for multi-step reasoning and applications of fundamental formulas in unfamiliar contexts. Students who relied purely on rote-learning faced significant resistance, particularly in Unit 1 and Unit 4, where vector manipulation and mathematical modeling dictated the grade boundaries.
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
(Calculations)
180·45·41%
Structured / Explanation
(Descriptive)
120·25·27%
Practical Skills / Data Analysis
80·15·18%
Multiple Choice
60·60·14%
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 - Mechanics
0.50 m/minUnit 2 - Waves and
0.89 m/minUnit 3 - Practical
0.63 m/minUnit 4 - Further Me
0.86 m/minUnit 5 - Thermodyna
0.86 m/minUnit 6 - Practical
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 Faraday's Law
90%90%
Photoelectric Effect and Wave-Particle Duality
88%88%
Cosmological Redshift and Hubble's Law
85%85%
January 2024 Exam Suite Analysis: The Verdict
The January 2024 Edexcel International AS/A Level Physics examination series proved to be a challenging but balanced assessment, placing a high premium on conceptual linkage and precision in quantitative derivations. Across the entire suite, examiners moved away from trivial recall, opting instead for multi-step reasoning and applications of fundamental formulas in unfamiliar contexts. Students who relied purely on rote-learning faced significant resistance, particularly in Unit 1 and Unit 4, where vector manipulation and mathematical modeling dictated the grade boundaries.
Examiner notes & key calculations
- The 'Show That' Algebraic Trap: Candidates often write down numbers directly without stating the starting algebraic physics formula. Examiners require the general formula to be explicitly displayed before substitution occurs.
- Asterisk QWC Questions: In structured explanation questions (such as why an alternating current heats an iron kettle via eddy currents), candidates often write disjointed sentences. To secure the highest bands, you must trace the energy transfer pathway chronologically: changing magnetic flux → \rightarrow → induced e.m.f. → \rightarrow → circulating eddy currents → \rightarrow → I2R I^2R I2R thermal dissipation.
- Spontaneous vs. Random: In Unit 5, many students still conflate these radioactive decay descriptors. Spontaneous refers to a process unaffected by external physical conditions (like temperature or pressure), whereas random means it is impossible to predict which nucleus will decay next or when.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.