If you're revising for GCSE Physics, one of the smartest things you can do is know exactly what's coming up in each paper — before you sit down to revise. This guide breaks down the paper structure for the three main exam boards: AQA, OCR Gateway, and Edexcel.

AQA GCSE Physics

AQA Physics is split into two papers, each worth 50% of your final grade:

• Paper 1 — Energy, Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, Atomic Structure
• Paper 2 — Forces, Waves, Magnetism & Electromagnetism, Space Physics (Higher only)

Both papers include multiple choice, structured questions, and extended response questions. Required practicals can appear in either paper. If you're studying AQA, our AQA GCSE Physics revision resources cover every topic across both papers — including retrieval question sheets and required practical worksheets to help you prepare for those exam questions.

OCR Gateway GCSE Physics

OCR Gateway also uses two papers:

• Paper 1 (Breadth in Physics) — Matter, Forces, Electricity, Magnetism, Waves, Radioactivity
• Paper 2 (Depth in Physics) — Same topic areas but tested in greater depth, with more application and analysis questions

OCR tends to include more context-based questions, so practising applying your knowledge to unfamiliar scenarios is key. Browse our OCR GCSE Physics revision resources to find topic-specific retrieval sheets and calculation practice.

Edexcel GCSE Physics

Edexcel Physics is examined across two papers:

• Paper 1 — Key concepts, Motion & Forces, Conservation of Energy, Waves, Light & the Electromagnetic Spectrum, Radioactivity
• Paper 2 — Energy, Forces & their Effects, Electricity & Circuits, Magnetism & the Motor Effect, Space Physics

Edexcel papers include a mix of calculation, short answer, and extended writing questions. Our Edexcel GCSE Physics revision resources — including the Complete Edexcel GCSE Physics Bundle covering all 15 topics — are designed to match the Edexcel specification exactly.

Top Tips for All Exam Boards

• Download your exam board's specification and tick off topics as you revise them
• Practise required practical questions — they appear in every paper
• Use retrieval practice to test yourself on key equations and definitions
• Don't leave Space Physics until last — it's a common trap for AQA Higher students

Knowing your paper structure means you can prioritise your revision time effectively. Good luck!