GCSE Physics specification
GCSE Physics (single science) is the study of matter, energy, forces and the universe, from particle behaviour and electricity to waves, radioactivity and space. It builds the quantitative, model-based reasoning and practical investigation skills that underpin A-level Physics and engineering.
Assessed entirely by external written exams - typically two papers sat at the end of the course, each worth 50% of the qualification (commonly 1h45 and 100 marks for AQA/Edexcel/Eduqas, 90 marks for OCR). There is no NEA/coursework in England: required/core practicals are taught during the course and examined within the written papers (around 8 practicals for AQA/Edexcel/OCR). In Wales, WJEC adds a separately assessed practical unit. A formulae/equations sheet supplies some equations in the exam, but candidates must still recall and apply a substantial number of equations from memory.
High-level topics
The main areas of content and what a student is expected to know and do.
Energy stores and transfers, conservation and dissipation, efficiency, power, specific heat capacity and the use and reduction of energy in homes and the National Grid.
Current, potential difference and resistance; series and parallel circuits; I–V characteristics; mains electricity, power and energy transfer; and static electricity and electric fields.
Density, the three states of matter and changes of state, internal energy, specific heat capacity, specific latent heat and the pressure–temperature behaviour of gases.
Structure of the atom, the development of atomic models, isotopes, radioactive decay (alpha/beta/gamma), half-life, nuclear radiation hazards and uses, and nuclear fission and fusion.
Scalars and vectors, contact and non-contact forces, resultant forces, Newton's laws, momentum, work done, elasticity (Hooke's law), moments, pressure, and forces and motion graphs.
Distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration; distance–time and velocity–time graphs; equations of motion; stopping distances; and momentum and its conservation.
Transverse and longitudinal waves, wave properties and the wave equation, reflection and refraction, sound and ultrasound, and seismic waves.
The electromagnetic spectrum and its uses and dangers, behaviour of light (reflection, refraction, lenses), colour, and infrared/black-body radiation.
Magnets and magnetic fields, the magnetic effect of a current, electromagnets, the motor effect, and electromagnetic induction, transformers and the National Grid.
The Solar System, the life cycle of stars, orbital motion, red-shift and evidence for the Big Bang. (Space is 'physics only' in AQA and named Astronomy in Edexcel.)
Experimental design, measurement, data handling, uncertainty and evaluation, developed through a set of required/core practicals that are taught during the course and assessed in the written exams.
Exam boards
The awarding bodies that offer this qualification, how their papers are structured, and what's distinctive about each - with links to the official specification.
AQA GCSE Physics
Papers & assessment
2 papers, each 1h45 and 100 marks (50% each), tiered F/H, linear. No NEA; 10 required practicals taught during the course and assessed within the exams. Paper 1 covers topics 1–4 (Energy, Electricity, Particle model, Atomic structure), Paper 2 covers topics 5–8 (Forces, Waves, Magnetism & electromagnetism, Space physics). An equations sheet is provided; some equations must still be recalled.
What's distinctive
Organised into eight clearly numbered topics with a distinct Space Physics topic flagged 'physics only'. Specifies the largest set of required practicals (10).
Specification
Past papers & mark schemes
Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Physics
Papers & assessment
2 papers, each 1h45 and 100 marks (50% each), tiered F/H, linear. No NEA; 8 core practicals taught during the course and assessed in the exams. Content is split into 15 numbered topics (Topic 1 Key concepts shared across both papers); Paper 1 covers topics 1–7, Paper 2 covers topic 1 plus topics 8–15. An equation/exam-aid sheet is provided; further equations must be recalled.
What's distinctive
Finest-grained topic breakdown (15 topics) and a recurring 'Key concepts of physics' topic assessed on both papers; uses the label 'Astronomy' for the space content.
Specification
Past papers & mark schemes
OCR GCSE (9-1) Physics A (Gateway Science)
Papers & assessment
2 papers, each 1h45 and 90 marks (50% each), tiered F/H, linear. No NEA; practical skills (topic P9) assessed in the exams. Eight content topics P1–P8 (P1 Matter, P2 Forces, P3 Electricity, P4 Magnetism & magnetic fields, P5 Waves in matter, P6 Radioactivity, P7 Energy, P8 Global challenges) plus P9 Practical skills. Paper 1 (J249/01–02) covers P1–P4 and P9; Paper 2 (J249/03–04) covers P5–P8 and P9.
What's distinctive
One of OCR's two physics suites; uses applied/context framing ('Global challenges'). 90-mark papers rather than 100. (OCR's other route is Physics B 'Twenty First Century', code J259.)
Specification
Past papers & mark schemes
OCR GCSE (9-1) Physics B (Twenty First Century Science)
Papers & assessment
2 papers, tiered F/H, linear (components J259/01–02 Foundation, J259/03–04 Higher). No NEA; practical skills assessed in the written exams. A more narrative, scientific-literacy-led approach to the same physics content.
What's distinctive
OCR's context-led alternative to Gateway, emphasising how science works and its societal applications rather than a topic-by-topic structure.
Specification
Past papers & mark schemes
Eduqas GCSE Physics
Papers & assessment
2 written components, tiered F/H (component codes e.g. C420U10-1/C420U20-1 Foundation, U30/U40 Higher), linear. No NEA - practical work is examined within the written components. Component 1 'Concepts in Physics' and Component 2 'Applications in Physics'.
What's distinctive
The England-facing WJEC brand. Two-component structure split into 'Concepts' and 'Applications'; regulated by Ofqual for use in England.
Specification
Past papers & mark schemes
WJEC GCSE Physics (Wales)
Papers & assessment
Three units, tiered F/H, linear: Unit 1 'Electricity, Energy and Waves' and Unit 2 'Forces, Space and Radioactivity' (both written), plus Unit 3 'Practical Assessment' - a separately assessed, WJEC-marked practical component. A 40% terminal rule applies. Approved by Qualifications Wales; not available to centres in England (which use the Eduqas version).
What's distinctive
The only board here with a distinct assessed practical unit (Unit 3) rather than examining practicals solely within written papers; Wales-only qualification.
Specification
Past papers & mark schemes
All English boards (AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas and both OCR routes) deliver GCSE Physics as two tiered (Foundation/Higher), linear written papers with no NEA - required/core practicals are taught during the course and tested inside the exams. The clearest structural outlier is WJEC (Wales), which splits into three units and adds a separately assessed Practical Assessment unit (Unit 3) with a 40% terminal rule; WJEC is Wales-only while its sister brand Eduqas serves England. OCR uniquely offers two distinct routes - Gateway Science (Physics A, J249, topic-led, 90-mark papers) and Twenty First Century Science (Physics B, J259, context/scientific-literacy-led) - whereas AQA, Edexcel and Eduqas each offer a single spec. Content overlaps heavily across boards, but the topic granularity and naming differ: AQA uses eight numbered topics (with Space Physics flagged 'physics only'), Edexcel uses fifteen finer topics with a recurring 'Key concepts' theme on both papers and the label 'Astronomy', OCR Gateway frames the final topic as 'Global challenges', and Eduqas splits into 'Concepts' and 'Applications'. Papers are 100 marks for AQA/Edexcel/Eduqas but 90 for OCR Gateway. Across all boards an equations sheet provides some formulae in the exam while others must be recalled from memory.
Original sources
Straight from the awarding bodies - the specifications these summaries are drawn from.
Looking at other subjects?
Every GCSE we cover has a guide like this - topics, boards and what to expect.
All subject guidesLooking for A-level subjects?
A-level guides like these live on ALevelwiz - same family, same account, built for A-level students.
Visit alevelwiz.com