OCR AS Level · Analysis & Prediction

2022 OCR AS Level Physics A - H156 Past Paper Analysis

The June 2022 OCR AS Physics A examination balanced testing core concepts across the syllabus with practical deep dives into experimental methods. Significant weight was placed on Measurements and uncertainties and Wave motion, with Level of Response questions acting as the key grade differentiators.

Updated: 14 Jun 2026

Analysis Sample paper

Difficulty 3.2/5

Total marks

140

Duration

180 mins

Most tested

Measurements and uncertainties

Paper breakdown

H156/01 Breadth in physics: 70 marks · 90 minsH156/02 Depth in physics: 70 marks · 90 mins

Top chapters

Measurements and uncertainties (Making measurements and analysing data) · 16 marksWave motion (Waves) · 12 marksEquilibrium (Forces in action) · 10 marks

Overall Examination Verdict

The 2022 OCR AS Level Physics A (H156) series presented a balanced but testing set of papers. H156/01 (Breadth in physics) evaluated a wide spectrum of the syllabus, demanding prompt recall and precision in multiple-choice questions and foundational structured problems. In contrast, H156/02 (Depth in physics) demanded rigorous analytical skills, featuring substantial experimental design and practical evaluations. Overall, the papers represent a moderate to high difficulty level (index 3.2), where candidates with a firm grasp of practical skills and algebraic manipulation could excel, while those relying on passive memorization struggled on the structured level-of-response (LoR) questions.

Key Mark Allocation Areas

The highest concentrations of marks was located in Measurements and uncertainties (16 marks) and Wave motion (12 marks). The 6-mark Level of Response question on microwave superposition (Paper 2, Q8) was a crucial differentiator, testing the physical model of path differences alongside a 180-degree reflection phase change. Significant marks were also awarded to Equilibrium (10 marks) and Kinematics (9 marks). In these mechanical sections, drawing accurate free-body resolutions and calculating gradients on non-linear graphs (such as determining the terminal velocity from a displacement-time curve) were highly rewarded.

Examiner Pitfalls & Lost Marks

Examiners highlighted several persistent areas where otherwise strong candidates dropped crucial marks:

Unit Conversion Errors: Many failed to convert \( 0.54 \text{ mm}^2 \) to \( 5.4 \times 10^{-7} \text{ m}^2 \) when calculating resistivity, leading to systemic power-of-ten errors.
Incorrect Line of Best Fit: In Paper 1, Q26(b), candidates frequently forced their line of best fit through the origin instead of letting it cross the y-axis to find the work function \( \phi \).
Newton's Third Law Explanations: In collisions, candidates often omitted mentioning that the rates of change of momentum of the two objects are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
LoR Experimental Detail: In the trolley investigation, many omitted simple yet fundamental details such as how to measure the velocity (length of card divided by time) or how to keep the distance \( d \) constant.

Strategic Study Recommendations

To maximize study efficiency, focus heavily on the high-ROI chapters identified in our analysis. Do not treat Measurements and uncertainties as an isolated topic; practice integrating absolute and percentage uncertainties directly into complex formulas (such as tension and resistivity). In wave mechanics, master the distinction between path differences and phase differences, particularly when reflection introduces an additional \( 180^{\circ} \) phase shift. Finally, spend time practicing drawing clear, fully-labelled circuit diagrams, particularly with correct parallel-ammeter and voltmeter alignments.

Charts

Marks by chapter

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

Question type mix

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

multipleChoice20 marks · 20 questions
structured108 marks · 42 questions
levelOfResponse12 marks · 2 questions

Mark accessibility

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

79%within easy or medium reach

easy: 52 marksmedium: 58 markshard: 30 marks

Command word frequency

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

Skill weighting

Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.

Study ROI

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

Measurements and uncertainties

16 marks · Difficulty 2.8 · recurrence 5%

Wave motion

12 marks · Difficulty 2.5 · recurrence 5%

Equilibrium

10 marks · Difficulty 2.2 · recurrence 4%

Kinematics

9 marks · Difficulty 2 · recurrence 4%

Resistivity

7 marks · Difficulty 2.4 · recurrence 4%

Time vs marks

Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.

marksmins

Next-year prediction

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

Internal resistance90%

Only tested as a 1-mark multiple choice question in this series. It is highly overdue for a major 6-8 mark structured section with dynamic load characteristics, emf plots and terminal pd derivations.

The photoelectric effect85%

A mainstay of the AS quantum curriculum. Future papers are highly likely to transition from the graphical work function analysis seen here to target stopping potential circuits and threshold frequency limits.

Springs and materials80%

Only minor verification methodologies were examined. A comprehensive structured question assessing series/parallel spring combinations or elastic-plastic deformation work loops is highly likely in the upcoming cycle.

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.

Examiner insights

Official report

Common pitfalls

Forcing the line of best fit through the origin in graphical calculations, neglecting the non-zero y-intercept representing the work function.
Failing to convert units when using cross-sectional area in resistivity calculations (e.g., from mm² to m²).
Omitting the vertical displacement or GPE change of the mass when describing the mechanical energy transformations of a pogo stick spring.
In Newton's third law questions, failing to state that the forces are of equal magnitude and opposite in direction, and directly equal to the rate of change of momentum of each body.

Misconceptions

Believing that electrons 'become' waves during diffraction rather than displaying wave-like behaviors.
Supposing that a constant gradient on a displacement-time graph shows acceleration instead of terminal velocity.
Blindly applying trigonometric ratios (sine vs cosine) in force resolution without verifying the reference axis.

Where marks are lost

Under-developing the experimental procedure of the Level of Response trolley experiment, especially neglecting how to keep variables like distance constant.
Omitting the impact of the 180-degree reflection phase change when determining microwave superposition maxima and minima path differences.
Inaccurate rounding of intermediate calculations, leading to significant truncation errors in the final calculated values.

Estimated grade cut-off

Updated: 15 Jun 2026

Source: OCR

Level	Mark	Percentage
A	93/140	66%
B	78/140	56%
C	63/140	45%
D	48/140	34%
E	33/140	24%

Official grade boundaries published by OCR.

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