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PHYSICS-XPH11 · Pearson Edexcel International AS Level

PHYSICS-XPH11/11

Paper 1

Physics · 2024 · Variant 1

Relative difficulty

Demanding · 3.8/5

Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel

Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.

Relative difficulty

3.8 / 5

Total marks

210

Duration

260 min

Most tested topic

Waves and Mechanics Core Principles

Cohort performance

Session statistics from official examination reports

Total marks

210

Duration

260 min

Session difficulty

3.8 / 5

Key examiner messages

Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise

1

The January 2024 suite presents a balanced but challenging test of IAS Physics.

2

Unit 1 features a demanding multi-part moments question on a uniform door, which required precise spatial reasoning and trigonometric resolution.

3

Unit 2 pushes conceptual limits with thermistor circuit analyses and solar cell parallel/series power dissipation deductions.

4

Unit 3 demands clean graph plotting and robust uncertainty propagation calculations, reflecting a high expectation for practical skill execution.

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

Mathematical5
Conceptual Explanation4
Experimental &2
Analysis & G1

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

MathematicalMathematicalConceptual ExplanationConceptualExplanationExperimental &Experimental &Analysis & GAnalysis & G
SkillWeightShare
  • Mathematical

    Weight: 5100%
  • Conceptual Explanation

    Weight: 480%
  • Experimental &

    Weight: 240%
  • Analysis & G

    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. 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

ExplainFrequency: 18

Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.

DetermineFrequency: 15

Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.

CalculateFrequency: 12

Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.

StateFrequency: 8

Match the expected response style for “State” questions.

DeduceFrequency: 8

Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.

ShowFrequency: 6

Match the expected response style for “Show” questions.

DescribeFrequency: 5

State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.

Time traps

Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks

Unit 1 Section A11m / 10 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Unit 2 Section A11m / 10 marks

Min per mark: 1.1

Syllabus traceability

Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session

Waves and Particle Nature of Light

65 marks this session

Mechanics

60 marks this session

Electric Circuits

45 marks this session

Materials

40 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

LowHigh
Topic
2023
2024
2025
2026
Σ

Waves and Particle Nature of Light

65
126
77
268

Mechanics

60
62
75
197

Materials

40
41
35
116

Electric Circuits

45
25
23
93

Mechanics (Mechanics and Materials)

59
59

Waves and Particle Nature of Light (Waves and Electricity)

50
50

Electric Circuits (Waves and Electricity)

30
30

Materials (Mechanics and Materials)

21
21

Paper comparison

Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session

Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials: Unit 2: Waves and Electricity: Unit 3: Practical Skills in Physics I:

80 marks90 min

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

Self-diagnostic checklist

Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise

  • 1Message

    The January 2024 suite presents a balanced but challenging test of IAS Physics.

  • 2Message

    Unit 1 features a demanding multi-part moments question on a uniform door, which required precise spatial reasoning and trigonometric resolution.

  • 3Message

    Unit 2 pushes conceptual limits with thermistor circuit analyses and solar cell parallel/series power dissipation deductions.

  • 4Message

    Unit 3 demands clean graph plotting and robust uncertainty propagation calculations, reflecting a high expectation for practical skill execution.

Teacher briefing pack

One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review

2024 2024

Physics

The January 2024 suite presents a balanced but challenging test of IAS Physics. Unit 1 features a demanding multi-part moments question on a uniform door, which required precise spatial reasoning and trigonometric resolution. Unit 2 pushes conceptual limits with thermistor circui

  • The January 2024 suite presents a balanced but challenging test of IAS Physics.

  • Unit 1 features a demanding multi-part moments question on a uniform door, which required precise spatial reasoning and trigonometric resolution.

  • Unit 2 pushes conceptual limits with thermistor circuit analyses and solar cell parallel/series power dissipation deductions.

Total marks
210
Duration
260 min
Session difficulty
3.8 / 5

Session analysis

The January 2024 suite presents a balanced but challenging test of IAS Physics. Unit 1 features a demanding multi-part moments question on a uniform door, which required precise spatial reasoning and trigonometric resolution. Unit 2 pushes conceptual limits with thermistor circuit analyses and solar cell parallel/series power dissipation deductions. Unit 3 demands clean graph plotting and robust uncertainty propagation calculations, reflecting a high expectation for practical skill execution.

Updated Jun 12, 2026

Paper breakdown

Unit 1: Mechanics and Materials: Unit 2: Waves and Electricity: Unit 3: Practical Skills in Physics I:

80 marks90 min

Top chapters

Waves and Particle Nature of Light65 marks
Mechanics60 marks
Electric Circuits45 marks
Materials40 marks

Exam structure insights

Marks by chapter

See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.

Waves and Particle Nature of Li65 marks
Mechanics60 marks
Electric Circuits45 marks
Materials40 marks

Mark accessibility

Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.

76% within easy or medium reach

65
95
50
Easy: 65 marksMedium: 95 marksHard: 50 marks

Command word frequency

Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.

Explain18 times
Determine15 times
Calculate12 times
State8 times
Deduce8 times
Show6 times
Describe5 times

Question type mix

Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.

210Marks
  • Conceptual Explanation & Proof

    84·14·40%

  • Structured Calculation

    82·15·39%

  • Short Answer

    24·12·11%

  • Multiple Choice

    20·20·10%

Study ROI

Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.

DifficultyRecurrence %Waves: Refraction …Materials: Young M…Mechanics: Momentu…Circuits: Internal…

Difficulty trend

Compare difficulty across recent years.

3.820223.520233.82024

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

MarksMinutesMarks / min

Unit 1 Section A

0.91 m/min
10
11

Unit 2 Section A

0.91 m/min
10
11

Total marks

20

Total time

22 min

Avg pace

0.91

Next-year prediction

Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.

Potential Dividers & LDR Circuits

90%

90%

Viscosity of Liquids & Stokes' Law

85%

85%

Young Modulus of Metallic Wires

80%

80%

Executive Difficulty Verdict

The January 2024 suite presents a balanced but challenging test of IAS Physics. Unit 1 features a demanding multi-part moments question on a uniform door, which required precise spatial reasoning and trigonometric resolution. Unit 2 pushes conceptual limits with thermistor circuit analyses and solar cell parallel/series power dissipation deductions. Unit 3 demands clean graph plotting and robust uncertainty propagation calculations, reflecting a high expectation for practical skill execution.

Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.

PHYSICS-XPH11/11 — Pearson Edexcel International AS Level Physics (2024) | Revui