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9702_m26_qp_12 2026 March Physics 9702 Question Paper 1 Variant 2 · Cambridge CAIE AS & A Level

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9702_m26_qp_122026 March Physics 9702 Question Paper 1 Variant 2

This is the official Cambridge AS & A Level Physics (9702) Question Paper 1 (Variant 2) from the 2026 March examination session. This question paper was sat by Cambridge students worldwide in 2026 and is published by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). Use it for timed practice under exam conditions to build familiarity with the question format, mark allocation, and time pressure.

Also referenced as: 9702_m26_qp_12 · 9702/12/f/m/26 qp · 9702/12 Feb/March 2026 qp

Paper 1: Multiple Choice (AS) This is Paper 1: Multiple Choice (AS), worth 40 marks with a duration of 1h 15m. 40 MCQs. Calculate the answer BEFORE looking at options. Unit conversion errors are the #1 trap.

To self-assess your performance, use this question paper alongside the corresponding mark scheme (9702_m26_ms_12). Attempt the entire paper under timed conditions before opening the mark scheme — this trains both your subject knowledge and exam technique. Mark each question and record whether marks were lost due to knowledge gaps, method errors, or careless mistakes.

The most effective way to use this Physics question paper is to simulate real exam conditions: set a timer for the full duration, work without notes, and write your answers on separate paper. After finishing, mark yourself using the official mark scheme — do not check answers during the paper. This builds exam stamina and reveals your genuine readiness. Repeat this process across 3–5 sessions to identify recurring weak topics in Physics (9702).

Same paper, other years

Physics (9702) Question Paper 1 (Variant 2) from other exam sessions — practise the same paper across the years, then check each one against its mark scheme.

Examiner Insights — Paper 1: Multiple Choice (AS)

Based on analysis of 5 official Cambridge documents (2023, 2025)

1

Unit conversion errors — powers of ten wrong when converting cm, mm, km

There was a significant number of candidates that made errors converting the mass in grams into kilograms and the length from centimetres into metres.Paper 2, March 2025

How to fix: Write every conversion explicitly: 1 cm = 10⁻² m, 1 mm = 10⁻³ m, 1 km = 10³ m. For AREA: cm² to m² = ×10⁻⁴ (not ×10⁻²). For VOLUME: cm³ to m³ = ×10⁻⁶. Always write the conversion as a separate line in your working.

3

Swapping sine and cosine when resolving vectors

Candidates had particular difficulty resolving vectors into perpendicular components. Candidates should be able to select the correct trigonometric function for each problem.Paper 1, March 2025

How to fix: Draw a right-angle triangle. The component ADJACENT to the angle uses cosine. The component OPPOSITE to the angle uses sine. If the angle is measured from the horizontal: horizontal = F cos θ, vertical = F sin θ. Always sketch the triangle — don't guess.

4

Using ½m(v−u)² instead of ½mv²−½mu² for kinetic energy change

A common mistake was to calculate the gain in kinetic energy by using the expression ½m(v − u)².Paper 2, March 2025

How to fix: Change in KE = ½mv² − ½mu² (subtract the kinetic energies). NOT ½m(v − u)² — that's squaring the velocity difference, which is mathematically wrong. Remember: KE depends on v², and (v² − u²) ≠ (v − u)².

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Top mistakes, scoring patterns & answer frameworks from 5 official Cambridge documents