How A Level Physics is Assessed: Cambridge 9702 vs. Edexcel IAL, the Biggest Difference is the Practical
Based on the official syllabuses for Cambridge International 9702 and Pearson Edexcel IAL Physics, this guide breaks down the paper structure, duration, marks, and weightings for both versions. Cambridge Paper 3 is a hands-on lab practical, while Edexcel Units 3/6 assess practicals through a written exam (16 core practicals). It covers AS and A Level topics, notes no major changes in the 2028–2030 Cambridge syllabus, and explains how to choose a version, practice for the practicals, and make up for topics rarely taught in China.
A-Level Physics is one of the most common subjects for STEM university applications. Students in China mainly take two versions: Cambridge International 9702 and Edexcel IAL Physics. The syllabi are largely similar, but there is a crucial difference: Cambridge's practical exam requires actual hands-on work in a laboratory, while Edexcel's practical units are written exams. This determines how you prepare and where you take the exam.
This article is based on the official syllabi from Cambridge International and Pearson Edexcel, explaining what each version tests and how to practice. For the overall rules on getting an A* in A-Level, see our How to Get an A* in A-Level; for exam seasons and registration, see How to Plan A-Level Exam Seasons and Registration; for Math, see How to Take A-Level Math.
I. Cambridge International 9702: Five Papers
| Paper | Content | Time / Marks | % of AS | % of A Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Multiple choice (40 four-option questions, AS content) | 1 hour 15 mins / 40 marks | 31% | 15.5% |
| Paper 2 | AS Structured Questions | 1 hour 15 mins / 60 marks | 46% | 23% |
| Paper 3 | Advanced Practical Skills (Laboratory practical) | 2 hours / 40 marks | 23% | 11.5% |
| Paper 4 | A Level Structured Questions (also requires AS knowledge) | 2 hours / 100 marks | — | 38.5% |
| Paper 5 | Planning, Analysis and Evaluation (Written exam, 2 compulsory questions) | 1 hour 15 mins / 30 marks | — | 11.5% |
- Paper 3 is a hands-on practical exam taken in a laboratory: Two questions, 1 hour and 20 marks each. Question 1 involves conducting an experiment, collecting data, plotting graphs, and drawing conclusions; Question 2 provides an inaccurate experimental method that you must evaluate and suggest improvements for. The two questions come from different physics areas, and no prior knowledge of the relevant theory is required;
- Paper 5 tests experimental design, data analysis, and evaluation, and question contexts may go beyond the syllabus;
- Three routes: take only the AS (Papers 1, 2, and 3); complete the A Level over two years (AS in the first year, Papers 4 and 5 in the second); or take all five papers at once;
- Assessment objectives: Knowledge and understanding 40%, Handling, applying, and evaluating information 40%, Experimental skills 20%.
Content
AS (11 topics): Physical quantities and units, Kinematics, Dynamics, Forces, density and pressure, Work, energy and power, Deformation of solids, Waves, Superposition, Electricity, D.C. circuits, Particle physics.
A Level additions (14 topics): Circular motion, Gravitational fields, Temperature, Ideal gases, Thermodynamics, Oscillations, Electric fields, Capacitance, Magnetic fields, Alternating currents, Quantum physics, Nuclear physics, Medical physics, Astronomy and cosmology.
Exams from 2025 to 2027 use the syllabus published in September 2022; the new syllabus for 2028–2030 was published in September 2025, with official statements noting no significant changes affecting teaching.
II. Edexcel IAL Physics: Six Units
| Unit | Content | Time / Marks | % of IAS | % of IAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Mechanics and Materials | 1 hour 30 mins / 80 marks | 40% | 20% |
| Unit 2 | Waves and Electricity | 1 hour 30 mins / 80 marks | 40% | 20% |
| Unit 3 | Practical Skills in Physics I (Written exam) | 1 hour 20 mins / 50 marks | 20% | 10% |
| Unit 4 | Further Mechanics, Fields and Particles | 1 hour 45 mins / 90 marks | — | 20% |
| Unit 5 | Thermodynamics, Radiation, Oscillations and Cosmology | 1 hour 45 mins / 90 marks | — | 20% |
| Unit 6 | Practical Skills in Physics II (Written exam) | 1 hour 20 mins / 50 marks | — | 10% |
- Units 3 and 6 are written exams testing understanding of experimental processes and techniques, requiring you to apply experimental knowledge to both familiar and unfamiliar contexts;
- The syllabus includes 16 core practicals integrated throughout the theoretical learning;
- Each unit has mathematical requirements: taking Unit 1 as an example, at least 32 out of 80 marks assess Level 2 or above mathematical skills;
- Calculators are allowed in the exam; units like Unit 3 have exam sessions in January, June, and October.
III. How to Choose Between the Two Versions
Here is some practical advice:
- Your school has already chosen the exam board: Follow the school's choice;
- Private candidates: Cambridge Paper 3 must be taken at a center with laboratory facilities, so you need to confirm before registration whether the center can arrange the practical exam; Edexcel's practical units are written exams, which have relatively simpler requirements for the exam center;
- Want to take exams in stages and retake them: Edexcel is modular with three exam sessions a year, offering a more flexible schedule (for retake and grading rules, see Article 27).
IV. How to Prepare
Here is some practical advice.
1. Experimental Skills: Accounts for About One-Fifth in Both Versions
- Cambridge: Paper 3 requires real hands-on practice: taking readings (vernier calipers, micrometers, electrical meters), recording significant figures and uncertainties, plotting graphs to find gradients and intercepts, evaluating experimental errors, and suggesting improvements. Just reading the book without hands-on practice will make it very hard to score high on this paper;
- Edexcel: Thoroughly master each of the 16 core practicals: purpose, apparatus, procedure, measurements, sources of error, and improvements, then practice applying them in unfamiliar contexts.
2. Calculations and Derivations
Students in China generally have solid calculation skills, but pay attention to units, significant figures, and presentation standards: write out the formula, substitute the values, include units, and ensure the final answer has units.
3. Fill in the Gaps on Topics Rarely Taught in China
Topics like particle physics, medical physics, astronomy and cosmology, and parts of thermodynamics are rarely covered in Chinese high schools and need to be studied specifically.
4. Practice with Official Materials
Practice with official past papers and mark schemes to see exactly where each mark is awarded, especially for explanation and experimental evaluation questions.
Conclusion
When choosing between Cambridge and Edexcel for A-Level Physics, the biggest difference lies in the practicals: Cambridge requires hands-on work in a lab, while Edexcel tests practicals through written exams. Regardless of the version, experimental skills account for about one-fifth of the total marks. Combined with rigorous calculations and the specialized topics rarely taught in China, this is the key to getting an A*.
If you need A-Level Physics tutoring, feel free to chat with our teachers.
Verification note: This article was verified against the official syllabi in September 2026: the five papers, time, marks, and weightings for Cambridge 9702, the formats of Paper 3 and Paper 5, the three exam routes, assessment objective weightings, and AS/A Level topics are from the "Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics 9702 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027"; the statement that the 2028–2030 syllabus has "no significant changes affecting teaching" is from the 2028–2030 syllabus; the six units, time, marks, weightings, the written format of the practical units, the 16 core practicals, mathematical requirements, calculator policy, and exam sessions for Edexcel IAL Physics are from the Pearson Edexcel "International A Level Physics Specification" (3rd edition). The advice on choosing and preparing for the exams is based on our practical experience.
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