Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0) Past Papers 2026

Foundation and Higher Tier

Duration: 1h 45m

Foundation and Higher Tier

Duration: 1h 45m

Equation rearrangement — changing the subject of a formula

Flagged as the single most challenging mathematical skill in the 1PH0 Paper 1F June 2023 Introduction. Errors seen in every calculation paper: multiplying instead of dividing, wrong order of operations, and incorrect rearrangement of v² = u² + 2as.

Paper 1F, Paper 1H, Paper 2F, Paper 2H

Star lifecycle and stellar equilibrium

'Candidates were generally unfamiliar with the life cycle of a star such as the Sun. It was very common to see answers that described the event of the Sun exploding.' (1PH0 Paper 1F, June 2024). The balance between thermal expansion and gravitational collapse was poorly understood even at Higher tier.

Paper 1F, Paper 1H

Voltmeter placement in circuit diagrams

'hardly any candidates added a voltmeter across the wire, most opting to place the voltmeter in series' (1PH0 Paper 2F, June 2023). This was the single most common circuit error. 2H 2023 also noted frequent confusion between voltmeter and variable resistor placement.

Paper 2F, Paper 2H

Kelvin–Celsius temperature conversion

'The vast majority of candidates did not know how to convert Celsius to kelvin.' (1PH0 Paper 2F, June 2023). Many candidates subtracted 273 instead of adding it, or ignored the conversion entirely when using gas law equations.

Paper 2F

Electromagnetic induction — practical understanding

1PH0 Paper 2H June 2023 introduction noted that answers about electromagnetic induction in the dynamo context often described dynamo construction (split ring commutators) without mentioning the induced current or energy transfer. Understanding of microphone operation (electromagnetic induction) was also limited at level 1.

Paper 2H

Pressure vs force confusion and force-on-window calculations

'confusion between pressure and force was often seen with many candidates writing that the pressure is spread over a smaller area therefore the force would be greater' (1PH0 Paper 2H, June 2023). Using F = pA to link constant pressure with smaller force on a smaller area was not grasped.

Paper 2F, Paper 2H

Redshift and CMB — interpreting evidence for the expanding Universe

'Very few candidates were able to score both marks on this question. The typical answer was that the wavelength increased because the galaxies were further away. This was not sufficient for the second mark. Candidates needed to state that the galaxies were moving away.' (1PH0 Paper 1F, June 2023). CMB acronym not known by most candidates.

Paper 1F, Paper 1H

SI unit recall — density (kg/m³), pressure (Pa), and power of ten prefixes

'not so many students knowing the unit of density' (1PH0 Paper 2F, June 2023). Paper 2H 2023 summary stated: 'In this exam even the prefixes kilo and Mega were not known by some candidates.' Answers of Pa given for density and kg/m³ given for pressure were seen.

Paper 2F, Paper 2H