OCR AS Physics A both extends prior learning (motion, circuit electricity) to a greater depth of understanding and also introduces new physics (waves, quantum mechanics) to give a flavour of where further study might lead. It also develops all-important practical skills in the areas of recording and analysing data, evaluating the accuracy and reliability of that data and the conclusions drawn from it, and recognising areas where experimental technique is flawed and improvements are possible.
Content
See the G481 Mechanics and G482 Electrons, Waves and Photons pages.
Practical skills
You will be assessed under three categories: Qualitative skills, Quantative skills and Evaluative skills. Each year, OCR release three practical tasks under each of these three categories (ie nine altogether). You have to attempt at least one from each category, but your teacher may encourage you to try all three. Your best mark in each category is submitted.
See G483 Practical Skills in Physics 1 for more details.
Assessment
H158 is composed of three assessments:
- G481 Mechanics
- worth 30% of the course credit
- assessed by a 1hr exam (60 raw marks, 90 UMS)
- G482 Electrons, Waves and Photons
- worth 50% of the course credit
- assessed by a 1h45m exam (100 raw marks, 150 UMS)
- G483 Practical Skills in Physics 1
- worth 20% of the course credit
- assessed a 3 in-school practical "tasks" (40 raw marks, 60 UMS)
You can be entered for the exams in January or in May/June.
Grades available
Grades obtainable run from A to E. Your overall grade is decided by the number of uniform marks you attain over the three assessed units:
Grade | A | B | C | D | E | U |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UMS | 300-240 | 239-210 | 209-180 | 179-150 | 149-120 | 119-0 |
"U" means "unclassified" and is not certificated.