Clear answers to the questions students and parents ask most about Cambridge O Level, IGCSE and A Level Physics, from Sir Mahad Amer, Cambridge-certified Physics teacher and founder of MAC Education Network. Always check the current syllabus on Cambridge International’s website for your exam year.
What is the difference between O Level Physics (5054) and IGCSE Physics (0625)?
Both are Cambridge qualifications taken at around age 16, and most of the Physics content is the same. The main differences are in how they are examined:
- O Level Physics 5054: Paper 1 (multiple choice), Paper 2 (theory), and either Paper 3 (practical test) or Paper 4 (Alternative to Practical). There is one level of entry.
- IGCSE Physics 0625: students enter at Core or Extended level. Core students take Papers 1 and 3, Extended students take Papers 2 and 4, and everyone takes either Paper 5 (practical test) or Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical). Extended is needed for the top grades.
Read more in O Level & IGCSE Physics: How to Get an A*.
How is A Level Physics 9702 structured?
Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics (9702) has five papers:
- AS Level: Paper 1 (multiple choice), Paper 2 (AS structured questions) and Paper 3 (Advanced Practical Skills, a laboratory exam).
- A Level (A2): Paper 4 (A Level structured questions) and Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation, a written paper on experimental design and data).
You can take AS on its own, or AS and A2 for the full A Level. See AS vs A2 Physics: what’s the difference?
What is the Alternative to Practical paper?
It is a written exam that tests practical skills without doing an experiment in a lab: O Level 5054 Paper 4 and IGCSE 0625 Paper 6. You read and record measurements, draw and interpret graphs, identify variables, suggest improvements and precautions, and plan simple experiments. Practise it with past papers, because the same skills come up every year. See our O Level Physics Practical Guide.
How do I prepare for 9702 Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation)?
Paper 5 has two parts: planning an experiment (identifying the independent and dependent variables, the variables to keep constant, how to measure each quantity, safety precautions and how to analyse the results) and analysis and evaluation (processing data, plotting a straight-line graph, finding the gradient and intercept, and working with uncertainties). It rewards a fixed method: learn the standard structure of a plan, practise rearranging equations into the form y = mx + c, and do every past Paper 5 question under timed conditions.
How do I get an A* in Physics?
Understand each concept before memorising it, learn every definition word for word, practise calculations until the method is automatic, and use past papers properly: attempt them timed, mark them with the mark scheme, then redo every question you lost marks on. Our guides explain this paper by paper: A Level Physics 9702, O Level & IGCSE Physics and How to use past papers.
Where can I find free Physics notes and past papers?
MAC Education Network has free topic-wise notes, recorded video lessons and topical past papers for every level: O Level & IGCSE notes, AS Level notes, A2 Level notes and all free resources.
Should I choose live classes or a recorded course?
Choose live classes if you want a fixed timetable, the chance to ask questions in class and someone keeping you on track; every live class is also recorded. Choose a complete recorded course if you prefer to study the full syllabus at your own pace. Not sure? Try the 30-second course finder on our homepage.
Who teaches the courses?
All courses are taught by Sir Mahad Amer, a Cambridge-certified O Level, IGCSE and A Level Physics teacher with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Physics and over eight years of teaching experience. He founded MAC Education Network and teaches with a concept-first approach, structured revision and past-paper practice. More about Sir Mahad Amer.
Do you teach Pearson Edexcel Physics?
Yes. Alongside Cambridge, we run live online courses for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics and Pearson Edexcel International AS Physics.
Can students outside Pakistan join?
Yes. All classes are online, so students from any country can join. International students see prices in US dollars on the Courses page.
How much do the courses cost?
Live sessions start from ₨15,000 and complete courses go up to ₨70,000. See the Courses page for current prices in your currency, or book a free demo class on WhatsApp.
