Cambridge O Level Physics (5054): examiner-style marking and a new paper for every student
Structured Paper 2 answers are where O Level Physics marks are won and lost. We mark every line, name the concept behind each dropped mark, and build the next paper around it.
Syllabus for examination in 2026, 2027 and 2028 · June and November series · grades A*–E
Paper structure and what we mark
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight | Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Multiple Choice | 1 h | 40 | 30% | 40 four-option multiple-choice questions |
| Paper 2 — Theory | 1 h 45 min | 80 | 50% | Short-answer and structured questions, all compulsory |
| Paper 3 — Practical Test | 1 h 30 min | 40 | 20% | Practical exam (sat at the centre) — or Paper 4 |
| Paper 4 — Alternative to Practical | 1 h | 40 | 20% | Written paper on experimental skills — or Paper 3 |
Topics
- Motion, forces and energy
- Thermal physics
- Waves
- Electricity and magnetism
- Nuclear physics
- Space physics
Questions teachers ask
- Is this official Cambridge marking?
- No. Cambridge International Education marks the real exam. This is examiner-style marking of mocks and homework for 5054, and you approve every mark before a student sees it.
- Do you reproduce past-paper questions?
- No. Every 5054 paper here is original and written to the syllabus for examination in 2026, 2027 and 2028, in the same structure as the real papers shown above.
- Which papers are marked?
- Paper 2, Paper 4 are marked question by question; Paper 1 are scored instantly. Practical exams sat at the centre are not marked here.
- How is the next paper chosen?
- From the marks a student lost: the concepts behind them are ranked by marks dropped, and the new paper weights those topics. It is the same syllabus and structure, with new questions.
- When are the exams?
- June and November series. Grades A*–E.
Other Cambridge O Level courses
- Cambridge O Level Chemistry (5070)
- Cambridge O Level Biology (5090)
- Cambridge O Level Mathematics D (4024)
- Cambridge O Level Additional Mathematics (4037)
- Cambridge O Level Pakistan Studies (2059)
- Cambridge O Level English Language (1123)
- Cambridge O Level Economics (2281)
- Cambridge O Level Business Studies (7115)
- Cambridge O Level Accounting (7707)
- Cambridge O Level Computer Science (2210)
- Cambridge O Level Environmental Management (5014)
- Cambridge O Level Sociology (2251)
- Cambridge O Level Geography (2217)
- Cambridge O Level Statistics (4040)