Latest Cambridge AS & A Level Physics 9702 Past Papers & Mark Schemes
Updated: 5 days ago
Access Cambridge International (CIE/CAIE) AS & A Level Physics 9702 past papers and mark schemes for Papers 1–5, with teacher revision tips and examiner guidance to help you score higher.
Past Papers
Download CIE A Level Physics past papers and mark schemes to practice effectively
Cambridge (CIE) AS & A Level Physics 9702 June 2026 Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2026 CIE A Level Physics (June) | Downloads | |
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 1 (9702/11) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 1 (9702/12) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 1 (9702/13) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 2 (9702/21) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 2 (9702/22) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 2 (9702/23) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 3 (9702/31) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 3 (9702/32) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 3 (9702/33) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 4 (9702/41) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 4 (9702/42) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 4 (9702/43) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 5 (9702/51) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 5 (9702/52) | ||
June 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 5 (9702/53) | ||
Cambridge (CIE) AS & A Level Physics 9702 March 2026 Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2026 CIE A Level Physics March) | Downloads | |
March 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 1 (9702/12) | ||
March 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 2 (9702/22) | ||
March 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 3 (9702/33) | ||
March 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 4 (9702/42) | ||
March 2026 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 5 (9702/52) | ||
Cambridge (CIE) AS & A Level Physics 9702 June 2025 Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2025 CIE A Level Physics (June) | Downloads | |
June 2025 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 1 (9702/12) | ||
June 2025 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 2 (9702/22) | ||
June 2025 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 3 (9702/32) | ||
June 2025 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 4 (9702/42) | ||
June 2025 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 5 (9702/52) | ||
Cambridge (CIE) AS & A Level Physics 9702 June 2024 Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2024 CIE A Level Physics (June) | Downloads | |
June 2024 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 1 (9702/12) | ||
June 2024 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 2 (9702/22) | ||
June 2024 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 3 (9702/32) | ||
June 2024 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 4 (9702/42) | ||
June 2024 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 5 (9702/52) | ||
Cambridge (CIE) AS & A Level Physics 9702 June 2023 Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2023 CIE A Level Physics (June) | Downloads | |
June 2023 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 1 (9702/12) | ||
June 2023 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 2 (9702/22) | ||
June 2023 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 3 (9702/32) | ||
June 2023 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 4 (9702/42) | ||
June 2023 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 5 (9702/52) | ||
Cambridge (CIE) AS & A Level Physics 9702 June 2022 Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2022 CIE A Level Physics (June) | Downloads | |
June 2022 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 1 (9702/12) | ||
June 2022 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 2 (9702/22) | ||
June 2022 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 3 (9702/32) | ||
June 2022 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 4 (9702/42) | ||
June 2022 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 5 (9702/52) | ||
Cambridge (CIE) AS & A Level Physics 9702 June 2021 Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2021 CIE A Level Physics (June) | Downloads | |
June 2021 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 1 (9702/12) | ||
June 2021 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 2 (9702/22) | ||
June 2021 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 3 (9702/32) | ||
June 2021 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 4 (9702/42) | ||
June 2021 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 5 (9702/52) | ||
Cambridge (CIE) AS & A Level Physics 9702 June 2020 Past Papers & Mark Schemes
2020 CIE A Level Physics (June) | Downloads | |
June 2020 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 1 (9702/12) | ||
June 2020 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 2 (9702/22) | ||
June 2020 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 3 (9702/32) | ||
June 2020 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 4 (9702/42) | ||
June 2020 Cambridge International A Level Physics Paper 5 (9702/52) | ||
You've done the work. You know the content. So why are marks still disappearing?
Here are some of the more common errors.
1. Rounding Too Early in Calculations
This is one of the most common ways to drop marks on calculation questions — and the frustrating thing is the method is completely correct, the number just comes out wrong.
Never round until the very last step. Keep at least one extra significant figure in every intermediate value as you work through a problem. Only round when you write your final answer. As a rule, match your significant figures to the data given in the question — if the question gives you values to two significant figures, your answer should be to two significant figures as well, no more, no less.
2. Forgetting to Convert Units
Before you write a single equation, check your units. This step takes ten seconds and saves you from answers that are out by factors of 1000.
Convert everything to SI base units first: grams → kilograms, centimetres → metres, km/h → m/s. Prefixes are a particularly common source of errors — be precise with pico (×10⁻¹²), micro (×10⁻⁶), and mega (×10⁶). A good habit after getting your answer: ask yourself whether the magnitude is physically sensible. If a car's acceleration comes out as 10,000 m/s², something has gone wrong with a prefix somewhere.
3. Treating Centripetal Force as a Separate Force
This is a conceptual trap. Centripetal force does not belong on a free-body diagram — and adding it as though it were an extra force acting on an object is a fundamental misunderstanding.
Centripetal force is simply the name we give to the resultant force that keeps an object moving in a circle. It is provided by the real forces already present in the situation — gravity, tension, friction, normal contact force, or some combination of them. Your job is to identify those actual forces, resolve them toward the centre of the circle, and show that their resultant equals mv²/r. The centripetal force is the outcome of your analysis, not an ingredient in it.
4. Mixing Up Sine and Cosine When Resolving Vectors
Swapping sin and cos is an easy mistake to make under pressure — but it gives you completely the wrong components and everything that follows falls apart.
The fix is simple: always sketch the vector triangle before writing any equations. Draw the vector, draw the two perpendicular components, label the angle, and then read off which trig function applies from the geometry. Never try to recall "is it sine or cosine?" from memory alone. Also get into the habit of explicitly stating which direction you're taking as positive before you start — this keeps your signs consistent throughout, especially in equilibrium problems where sign errors are particularly costly.
5. Imprecise Definitions and Loose Terminology
In physics, a definition is either correct or it isn't — and missing one key phrase drops the mark entirely.
Learn your definitions word-for-word from the syllabus. For quantities defined as ratios, you almost always need the phrase "per unit" — gravitational potential is energy per unit mass, electric field strength is force per unit positive charge. For equilibrium, you need the word "resultant." Also sharpen up your vocabulary: mass and weight are not the same thing, neither are atom and molecule, or nucleus and nuclide. And avoid writing "it" — always name the object explicitly. Vague pronouns cost marks.
6. Confusing EMF, Terminal PD, and the Potentiometer Balance Point
These are two closely related ideas that frequently get muddled, so keep them clearly separated.
EMF is the total energy supplied per unit charge by the source. Terminal PD is what's actually available to the external circuit, reduced by the voltage dropped across the internal resistance — always use V = E − Ir. Those "lost volts" across the internal resistance are real and must be accounted for. On potentiometers: at the balance point, the galvanometer reads zero, which means no current flows through the test cell. The PD across the relevant length of wire exactly equals the test EMF. If you think current is still flowing through the test cell at balance, you've misunderstood the null method entirely.
7. Poor Graph Scales, Small Gradient Triangles, and False Origins
A badly drawn graph loses marks before you've even done any analysis — and these errors are entirely avoidable.
Choose scale intervals of 2, 5, or 10 only. Intervals of 3, 6, or 7 make plotting unnecessarily difficult and almost always lead to mistakes. Your plotted points should occupy at least half the grid — if they're all crammed into one corner, your scale is wrong. For gradient calculations, draw a triangle whose hypotenuse covers at least half the length of your line — small triangles amplify reading errors significantly. And watch out for false origins: if the x-axis doesn't start at zero, never read the intercept straight from the y-axis. Instead, take a point on the line and substitute it into y = mx + cto find the intercept properly.
8. Mishandling Logarithmic Values
Logarithms follow different rules for significant figures than ordinary numbers, and getting this wrong signals a fundamental misunderstanding to the teacher.
The digits before the decimal point in a log value are not significant — they just indicate the order of magnitude. What matters is the decimal places. So if your raw data has three significant figures, your log value should be recorded to three decimal places. For example, lg(4.53 × 10³) = 3.656, not 3.7. Also be careful when substituting back into equations — a log value and a raw quantity are not interchangeable. Know at every step whether you're working with a logged or unlogged number.
9. Treating Momentum Change as a Scalar
When an object rebounds — bouncing off a wall, reversing direction — the change in momentum is not simply mv − mu. Direction matters, and ignoring it is a serious physics error.
Assign a positive direction at the start and stick to it. If an object hits a wall at +5 m/s and rebounds at −5 m/s, the change in velocity is −5 − (+5) = −10 m/s, not zero. The vector difference is what matters. In two-dimensional problems, sketch a vector triangle to find the magnitude and direction of the momentum change — don't try to do it algebraically without a diagram.
Is the Cambridge A Level Physics (9702) syllabus changing for 2027?
No — 2027 is part of the same 2025–2027 cycle, so the syllabus is identical across all three years. Any materials or textbooks designed for 2025 or 2026 exams are fully valid for 2027.
What Did Change at the Start of This Cycle (vs. Pre-2025)?
While nothing is new for 2027 specifically, it's worth knowing what shifted when this cycle began:
Elastic Collisions — Greater emphasis on conservation of total kinetic energy, alongside the traditional relative speed of approach/separation approach
Average Kinetic Energy — You are now explicitly required to recall and apply the formula Eₖ = ³⁄₂ kT for gas molecules
Polarisation & Malus's Law — The syllabus now clarifies that calculations involving unpolarised waves are notrequired
Astronomy & Cosmology — The redshift section has been expanded to include both emission and absorption spectra from distant objects
How much harder is Cambridge A Level Physics (9702) compared to O Level or IGCSE Physics, and how do I get an A*?
The jump is widely considered one of the biggest step-ups in the British curriculum. O Level teaches you broad concepts with basic calculations; A Level expects you to derive, apply, and reason from first principles with a much higher degree of mathematical precision.
What Actually Changes
Feature | O Level / IGCSE | A Level (9702) |
Maths | Basic algebra and ratios | Trigonometry, logarithms, vectors |
Thinking Style | "What happens if…" | "Derive the formula for…" |
New Topics | Mechanics, Thermal, Electricity | Quantum, Nuclear, Medical Physics, Astronomy |
Abstraction | Concrete examples (cars, balls) | Abstract fields (gravitational, electric, magnetic) |
Exam Pressure | Generally comfortable timing | Extremely tight — solving speed matters |
Three Habits That Separate A* Students
Practise synoptic questions. A Level Physics loves combining topics — a single question might move from circular motion into electric fields and end with work-energy calculations. Study topics in connection, not isolation.
Never drop SF or units. Always match significant figures to the least precise data in the question (usually 2–3 SF), and always include units. A perfectly executed calculation with a missing unit is frequently worth zero marks.
Spend 80% of your time on past papers. Read to understand, then practise relentlessly. Success in 9702 is fundamentally about pattern recognition — the examiner reuses the same question structures and logic year after year.
What do I need to score per paper for an A or A* in Cambridge A Level Physics (9702)?
Based on the June 2025 thresholds, the full A Level weighted total is 260 marks. For a standard route like Option AY (Components 12, 22, 33, 42, 52):
Grade | Marks Required (out of 260) | Percentage |
A* | ~203 | ~78% |
A | ~178 | ~68% |
Crucially, you can drop up to 57 marks and still achieve an A* — making Physics a game of strategic recovery across papers.
Paper-by-Paper Targets
AS Level:
Paper | Target | Key Challenge |
Paper 1 – MCQ | 30/40 (75%) | ~1.5 min per question; speed and trap-spotting are critical |
Paper 2 – AS Structured | 43/60 (72%) | Definitions must be exact; losing marks on "Define velocity" is costly |
Paper 3 – Practical | 32/40 (80%) | Easiest place to bank marks; precision in tables and graphs is key |
A2 Level:
Paper | Target | Key Challenge |
Paper 4 – A Level Structured | 60/100 (60%) | Hardest paper; focus on securing the first 3–4 marks of every long question |
Paper 5 – Planning & Analysis | 21/30 (70%) | Master log-linear graphs and uncertainty calculations |
The Safety Net Strategy
Because Paper 4 is unpredictable, top students over-perform on the smaller papers to build a buffer. For example:
If you score… | P1: 32 | P2: 48 | P3: 35 | P5: 25 |
Your Paper 4 target drops to | ~55/100 | (still an A*) |
Where the A → A* Gap Lives
The jump is roughly 25 marks (178 to 203). Those marks are almost always found in three places:
Definitions — writing exactly what the mark scheme requires (e.g., "force per unit positive charge", not just "force per charge")
Uncertainties — getting absolute and percentage uncertainty calculations perfect in Paper 5
Synoptic links — successfully connecting topics, such as applying circular motion (F = mv²/r) within an electric field question
The A* Profile in Summary
Paper 1: 75%+
Paper 2: 72%+
Paper 3: 80%+
Paper 4: 60%+
Paper 5: 70%+
If your AS performance is consistently above these benchmarks in past papers, you can afford to be strategic with Paper 4 rather than trying to perfect it — which is rarely achievable anyway.
