Qualifications Scotland (SQA) National 5 Physics Past Papers 2026
Download free Qualifications Scotland National 5 Physics past papers (formerly SQA), question papers and marking instructions. 5 exam sessions from 2022–2026.
2025
Latest Session
5
Sessions
2022–2026
12
Question Papers
4
Marking Instructions
33% coverage
Components & time pressure
Marks per minute shows how fast you have to work — the higher the number, the tighter the time pressure in that paper.
| Paper | Component | Marks | Duration | Marks / min | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question Paper | Multiple-choice + extended-response | 135 | 2 hours 30 minutes | 0.90 | High |
| Assignment | Researched investigation | 20 | Coursework | — | — |
Component structure extracted from 3 official Qualifications Scotland documents (2023–2025). Timings and mark totals are taken from the papers themselves.
Yearly Exam Sessions
How is Qualifications Scotland National 5 Physics examined?
Qualifications Scotland National 5 Physics is examined through 2 paper components. Understanding each component helps you allocate revision time effectively.
Question Paper
135 marksMultiple-choice + extended-response
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Assignment
20 marksResearched investigation
Duration: Coursework
What SQA examiners say about Physics
Verbatim quotes from 3 official SQA course reports (2023–2025). Every quote is attributable to a specific paper and session — these are the things SQA markers flag year after year.
Vague or imprecise physics terminology in justifications
questions requiring justifications, descriptions or explanations are intended to be more demanding for candidates. There was often a lack of precision in candidates’ responses, especially when using physics terminology and principles.
Missing or wrong unit on final calculated answers
For questions requiring calculations, the final answer sometimes had the wrong or missing unit.
Significant figures errors
In calculations, some candidates were unable to provide a final answer with the appropriate number of significant figures (or to round these correctly). It was evident that a few candidates confused significant figures with decimal places.
Most Common Mistakes — Physics
Based on analysis of 3 official SQA course reports (2023–2025). Avoid these errors to maximise your marks.
Vague or imprecise physics terminology in justifications, descriptions and explanations
Question Paper · Flagged in all three course reports (2023, 2024, 2025) as the single most pervasive issue across the question paper
Missing or wrong unit on final calculated answers
Question Paper · Cited in every report across 2023, 2024 and 2025 in the section on preparing candidates
Significant figures errors — confusing with decimal places, or copying excessive digits from a calculator
Question Paper · Appeared in all three course reports (2023, 2024, 2025) as a recurring preparation issue
Omitting direction when stating a vector quantity (velocity, displacement, force)
Question Paper · Identified in 2023 and 2025 course reports across dynamics questions
Incomplete explanations — stating a cause without linking it to the effect
Question Paper · Noted in 2023 and 2025 course reports across projectile, parachute and wave questions
Topics Students Struggle With Most
Dynamics — projectile motion and vector addition
In 2023 (Q1(a)(ii), Q2(a), Q2(b)(ii)) and 2025 (Q1(a)(ii)), only some candidates could express bearings correctly, sketch the correct path of a dropped object, or use the area under a v-t graph for a falling object. The 2025 report notes few candidates expressed direction in their vector answers.
Electricity — transistor and potential divider circuits
In 2024 (Q7(c)) and 2025 (Q7(c)(ii)), few candidates could trace the voltage changes through a potential divider to explain transistor switching. The 2025 report adds that many candidates used the gradient method incorrectly — substituting a data point rather than two points on the line.
Properties of Matter — kinetic model and gas laws
In 2023 (Q9(a)(iii)) only a few candidates described the kinetic model correctly. In 2024 (Q10(a)(i)) many substituted °C directly. In 2025 (Q10(b)(ii)) few candidates stated the proportional relationship between pressure and 1/volume.
Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics — chain reactions and source selection
In 2024 (Q15(c)) few candidates explained that neutrons from one fission go on to cause further fissions. In 2023 (Q14(a)(i)) few candidates specifically named 'background count rate'. In 2025 (Q14(b)(ii)) only some gave a full justification covering both half-life and radiation type.
Space Physics — open-ended depth and celestial mechanics
In 2023 (Q4), 2024 (Q5) and 2025 (Q4(b)(i)), many candidates identified a factor but only a few developed responses with physics depth. The 2024 report notes candidates described stars orbiting planets or made other incorrect celestial motion statements.
Waves — transverse waves, diffraction and refraction
In 2024 (Q11(a)) and 2025 (Q11(a)), few candidates could define 'transverse wave'. In 2024 (Q12(b)(i)) few explained why a central ray does not bend. In 2025 (Q13(b)) few linked the direction change condition to angle of incidence greater than 0°.
Energy — latent heat and combined thermal calculations
In 2024 (Q9(a)(iii)) a common error was subtracting rather than adding the two energy values. In 2025 (Q9(b)) many candidates rounded to one significant figure when the data given was to three. Graphical identification of latent heat sections was tested in 2024 (Q16) with good performance but remains a conceptual checkpoint.
Assignment — evaluation and understanding of physics sections
In 2024 and 2025, few candidates achieved all Section 2 marks. Many candidates stated 'repeat more often' for Section 7 without referencing averaging or specific evidence from their results. The 2024 and 2025 reports both flag gradient errors as a recurring issue in Section 3(d).
Qualifications Scotland (SQA) National 5 Physics Past Papers — Full Archive 2022–2026
This page contains all 16 SQA National 5 Physics past papers available for free download — 5 exam sessions spanning 2022–2026. Each session includes the question paper and marking instructions published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. No registration or payment required.
National 5 Physics is typically examined through a combination of a question paper and, where applicable, a coursework component such as an assignment or practical assessment. The question paper is the main component that past papers cover. National 5 is graded A to D with a No Award below. Grade A is the highest. All candidates sit the same paper — there are no higher/foundation tiers.
SQA marking instructions are the Scottish equivalent of a mark scheme. They detail the expected response for every question, including acceptable alternative answers and the specific points that earn marks. Working through the marking instructions after each past paper attempt is the single most effective revision technique — it shows you exactly what the examiner awards marks for, not just whether your answer was broadly right.
For best results, work through Physics past papers in reverse chronological order — the most recent papers reflect the current specification most accurately. Set a timer for the full exam duration, attempt the paper without any notes, then mark it using the official marking instructions. Record every mark you dropped and the reason — knowledge gap, misread question, or method error — and target your remaining revision accordingly. Repeating this process across 4 or more sessions will give you a reliable picture of your readiness.
Physics at other levels
Questions, answered.
PapersDaddy provides 16 free Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA) National 5 Physics past papers from 2022–2026. Download question papers and marking instructions as PDF — no registration needed.
We have 16 papers across 5 exam sessions for Qualifications Scotland National 5 Physics. This includes question papers and marking instructions for each year.
Qualifications Scotland replaced the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in 2026 as Scotland's national qualifications body. All past papers from both SQA and Qualifications Scotland are available here. The exam format and qualification levels (National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher) remain the same.
Start with the most recent past paper and work backwards. Complete each paper under timed exam conditions, then mark it using the marking instructions. Focus on understanding where marks were lost. Practising 3-4 years of Qualifications Scotland (SQA) past papers under exam conditions is the most effective revision strategy.