Past papers - CCEA GCSE Physics (Single Science)

Here you can find CCEA past papers for GCSE Physics (Single Science). Use the links below to download question papers and mark schemes (which contain the answers).

If you’re unsure whether you need Foundation Tier or Higher Tier papers, consult your teacher.

CCEA past papers and mark schemes are the intellectual property of CCEA and are copyright © CCEA. All CCEA material is linked to with their permission.

Motion, Force, Density and Kinetic Theory, Energy, and Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Foundation Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Higher Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Waves, Light, Electricity, Magnetism, Electromagnetism and Space Physics

Foundation Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Higher Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Practical Skills (Booklet A)

Foundation Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Higher Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Practical Skills (Booklet B)

Foundation Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

Higher Tier

Summer 2025 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2024 - Past paper | Mark scheme
Summer 2023 - Past paper | Mark scheme

You can find more physics past papers and mark schemes on the CCEA website.

Papers going back as far as 2018 are available there, in both standard and modified versions.

1. Use active recall and spaced repetition
Test yourself on key concepts and precise definitions without looking at notes, then review your mistakes a day or a week later. This technique strengthens memory far more effectively than passive re-reading.

2. Past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports
When doing past papers, time yourself and work in a quiet space to simulate the exam environment. Mark your answers against the official mark scheme to spot common pitfalls and examiner expectations. Consult the CCEA Chief Examiner's Reports for Physics to see how markers award points in high-scoring answers, highlighting the things that they expect.

3. Master key equations and units
Compile a formula sheet and practise rearranging equations until it becomes second nature. Always write down units when you work through calculations to avoid simple slip-ups.

4. Develop mind maps and summary sheets
Condense each topic into a single-page diagram or bullet list highlighting core principles, laws, and relationships. These visuals help you see how ideas connect and speed up last-minute revision.

5. Teach concepts to someone else
Explaining topics in your own words uncovers gaps in understanding and reinforces your grasp of the material. If you can guide a friend or family member through radioactivity or circuits, you truly know it.

1. Preparation is key
Eat healthily the day before each exam and try to get at least seven or eight hours sleep. Check your exam timetable and venue and seat number details. Ensure you have the correct equipment:

• Black biro pens, pencil, eraser, sharpener
• A clear 30cm ruler and a protractor
• A scientific calculator (fresh batteries, no cover)
• A bottle of water (remember to remove any labels)

Aim to arrive 15 minutes early to settle nerves and find your seat. Ensure you have left your mobile phone and any other prohibited devices in a safe location and don't have them with you in the exam room. Read the front-of-paper instructions and information to candidates prior to starting the exam. Ensure you have correctly filled in your centre and candidate numbers.

2. Stay calm, don't rush
Use the first few minutes to skim the whole paper. Note marks per question to gauge the difficulty and time required, highlight command words (e.g., state, describe, explain, calculate) and identify 'easy' marks (e.g., definitions, simple calculations) you might tackle first. Breathe deeply if you feel anxious. Maintain a steady pace, as rushing can lead to careless errors. Trust your preparation - you know more than you think.

3. Equations, calculations, graphs and diagrams
Always write the equation you're using before substituting values.

Make a mental note or highlight/underline any unit conversions required in calculations (e.g., minutes to seconds in power calculations, km to metres in motion calculations).

With graphs, label each axis with both quantity and unit (e.g., Time/s, Force/N), plot data points as an X or a circle with a dot inside and draw best-fit straight lines with a ruler and curves in pencil.

For ray diagrams, always include the normal and arrowheads on rays indicating the direction the light travels.

4. Questions requiring Quality of Written Communication (QWC)
Use scientific vocabulary precisely (e.g., strain energy, convection, half-life). Structure your answers - define or state the principle, explain cause-effect steps and conclude with the key point. Avoid vague language - be specific about quantities, processes and units.

5. Time management
Try to roughly allocate time by mark value (e.g., five marks = five minutes). If stuck on a question, move on and flag the question in order to return to it later. Keep an eye on the clock - aim to have 10 minutes spare at the end.

Use any spare time at the end to check all numerical answers for correct units and decimal places, re-read QWC responses adding missing keywords if necessary, and ensure you have at least attempted to answer every question - never leave an answer blank as educated guesses can earn marks.

If practising with past papers has highlighted a particular area you need to improve, then further help is at hand.

You can go straight to the most relevant Bitesize study guide for CCEA GCSE Physics (Single Science) and refresh your knowledge.

All topics are covered: Motion, forces, density and kinetic theory, energy, atomic and nuclear physics, waves, light, electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism, and space physics. There is also help and advice around prescribed practicals P1-P9.

Follow the links to the topic of your choice, where you'll find easy-to-understand revision materials, including videos, diagrams and quick quizzes.

Unit 1: Motion

Calculating motion | Velocity and acceleration | Distance-time graphs | Speed-time graphs

Unit 1: Forces

Force and Newtown's laws | Mass and weight | Hooke's law | Pressure | Moment of a force

Unit 1: Density and kinetic theory

Density | Kinetic theory | Interactive activity: States of matter

Unit 1: Energy

Energy forms | Energy resources | Work, power and efficiency | Kinetic and gravitational potential energy | Heat transfer

Unit 1: Atomic and nuclear physics

The structure of the atom | The structure of the nucleus | Radioactive decay and half-life | The dangers and uses of radiation | Nuclear fission | Nuclear fusion

Unit 2: Waves

Types of wave | Wave features | Reflection and refraction of waves | Echoes and sonar | Electromagnetic waves and radar

Unit 2: Light

Reflection and refraction of light | Lenses | Critical angle and total internal reflection (higher tier only)

Unit 2: Electricity

Conductors and insulators | Charge, current and voltage | Ohm's law, electric power and energy | Calculating resistance | Electricity in the home

Unit 2: Magnetism and electromagnetism

Magnetic fields | The AC generator | The transformer | The motor effect (higher tier only)

Unit 2: Space physics

The Solar System | Stars | The Universe | Space travel and life on other planets

Unit 3: Prescribed practicals

P1 - Motion down a ramp | P2 - Hooke's law | P3 - The principle of moments | P4 - Mass and volume | P5 - Measuring personal power | P6 - Refraction of light | P7 - Ohm's law | P8 - The resistance of a metallic conductor | P9 - The strength of an electromagnet | Practical skills

There are plenty more chemistry questions to tackle with our Bitesize quizzes.

You can have a go at our quick-fire ten question GCSE Physics quiz or practise with 50 exam-style GCSE Physics questions.

You can also select which topic you want to focus on in this quiz based on GCSE Physics past papers. Choose from questions on: Energy; Electricity; Particles; Atomic structure; Forces and motion; Waves, magnetism and electromagnetism.

Explore more physics resources with the full range of help from Bitesize.