Difficulty Verdict

The January 2026 International AS-Level Physics examination presented a solid, demanding suite of papers. This paper is rated a 4 out of 5 stars in difficulty. While standard direct application questions were present to secure baseline marks, the premium marks required a deep synthesis of mechanics, conservation of energy, and wave properties in non-traditional contexts.

Where the Marks Are Won and Lost

High-scoring students demonstrated excellent algebraic agility in Unit 1, successfully linking kinetic energy and conservation of momentum in the curling stones question (Question 13), and calculating accurate vertical heights on the inclined tracks (Question 17). In Unit 2, standard marks were concentrated in electrical resistivity calculations and the potential divider network of the rear window heater (Question 15).

However, significant marks were lost in descriptive explanation questions. In Unit 1, candidates struggled to enunciate the exact physics of Newton's Third Law concerning the parachute and cords system, often confusing the internal forces. In Unit 2, qualitative explanations regarding why a series-connected window heater fails to dissipate equal power were poorly structured. Additionally, Question 19 (using ultrasound to identify crack depths) proved a major pitfall, as candidates routinely forgot to half either the time or the final distance in their logic path.

Examiner Pitfalls

  • Unit Conversion Oversights: Omitting conversions from millimeters to meters in Young modulus calculations, or gigapascals to pascals, which instantly voided final accuracy marks.
  • Graph-Reading and Drawing: In Unit 3, failing to use at least half of the available grid space when plotting \( \lambda \) against \( \frac{1}{v} \) resulted in severe scale penalties.
  • Sign Conventions in Projectiles: Many candidates struggled to maintain a consistent coordinate system when resolving the gravity component and velocity components of the lunar projectile in Question 18.

Strategic Revision Advice

Future candidates must move beyond simple formula memorization. To secure a top grade, practice multi-step conservation derivations (e.g., matching gravitational potential energy \( mgh \) directly to elastic strain energy \( \frac{1}{2}F\Delta x \) and subsequent launch velocity \( \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \) ). Furthermore, allocate ample revision time to learning exact, word-for-word definitions for terms like laminar flow, systematic error, and the exact physical mechanism behind resistance changes with temperature.