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9702 · AS & A Level · Paper 5

A Level Physics Paper 5 — Planning & Analysis Checklist

Self-assessment across variables, diagram, measurement, graph, gradient, and intercept — with ranked common mistakes from 15 series.

CIE Insider Paper 5 — Examiner Checklist
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Paper 5 Self-Assessment Checklist

Grounded in 15 series of CIE Examiner Reports (2021–2025). Use this after every practice paper — tick what you got right, chase down what you missed.

0 Ticked
15 Series
30 Marks
18 Key Errors
📐
Question 1 — Planning Variables · Diagram · Measurement · Graph · Safety · Additional Detail
0/10 ▾
Variables
✓
Independent variable: named using the symbol from the question, unit given, method of variation stated
15/15
✓
Dependent variable: named using the symbol from the question, unit given, instrument named
15/15
✓
Control variables: at least two named using symbols — written as "[variable] will be kept constant by [specific method]", never just "control"
15/15
Examiner Never write "control [variable]". Always write "[variable] will be kept constant by [specific method]". The method is the mark.
Diagram
✓
Diagram shows a workable experiment with key measurements labelled
15/15
✓
If electrical: circuit symbols correct — voltmeter in parallel, ammeter in series, ohmmeter in separate circuit, oscilloscope in parallel, switch included
8/15 ▲
Measurement
✓
Instrument named, specific quantity stated, method described (e.g. "repeat in different directions, find mean")
15/15
✓
Instrument is appropriate for the scale of measurement (micrometer only if measurement is in mm range, not for large lengths)
15/15
Graph & Relationship
✓
Both axes stated explicitly with quantities and units — not just "y = mx + c"
15/15
✓
Contains "relationship is valid if", "straight line", AND correct statement about origin (through origin only if c = 0 after rearranging)
15/15
✓
Constant is the subject of an equation linking it to the gradient or intercept (not just "use the gradient to find K")
14/15
Safety & Additional Detail
✓
Safety: specific to this experiment — states hazard, precaution, and why it reduces risk. Not generic lab rules.
15/15
✓
Additional detail: specific to this experiment, not generic. Uncertainty reduction explained by method, not just stated.
15/15
📊
Question 2 — Analysis Straight-line · Table · Graph · Gradient · Intercept · Constants
0/18 ▾
2(a) — Rearranging into y = mx + c
✓
Equation fully rearranged into y = mx + c form, simplified (e.g. A/uA → 1/u)
15/15
✓
Negative sign included if present in the y-intercept
15/15
✓
y, x, m and c are explicitly identified — examiners need to see the connection to the graph
15/15
2(b) — Results Table
✓
Calculated values: same number of significant figures as raw data, or one more
15/15
✓
Log/ln quantities: number of DECIMAL PLACES matches significant figures in original quantity (digit before decimal point not counted)
15/15
✓
Uncertainties: correct combining rule used — add absolutes for +/−, add percentages for ×/÷, multiply % by |n| for powers
15/15
✓
ln/lg uncertainty: max-min method used, NOT the percentage method
15/15
✓
Repeated readings: absolute uncertainty = (max − min) / 2, not the full range
15/15
Examiner For log uncertainties: Δ(ln V) = ΔV/V. Do not apply the percentage method. The most common wrong answer comes from incorrectly assuming the percentage uncertainty in ln(V) equals the percentage uncertainty in V.
2(c)(i) — Plotting
✓
Points plotted within half a small square; plotted point diameter less than half a small square (no large blobs)
15/15
✓
Error bars on every plotted point — symmetrical about each point, correct length, clear end caps
15/15
✓
Scale: points fill more than half the grid in both directions; no awkward scales (e.g. 1:3, 1:7)
15/15
✓
Axis labels: both axes include quantity AND unit in format "velocity v / m s⁻¹"
15/15
2(c)(ii) — Lines
✓
Best-fit line: balanced about the data — roughly equal points above and below. Does NOT join the top point to the bottom point.
15/15
✓
Worst acceptable line: passes through ALL error bars (through the bar, not near the point). Steepest or shallowest possible. Both lines labelled.
15/15
2(c)(iii) — Gradient
✓
Triangle covers more than half the drawn line; coordinates chosen on grid lines, NOT plotted data points
15/15
✓
gradient = Δy / Δx (NOT Δx / Δy); unit stated as y-unit ÷ x-unit; powers of ten from axis labels included
15/15
✓
Gradient uncertainty: coordinates from WORST ACCEPTABLE LINE stated, its gradient calculated, uncertainty = |gradient(best) − gradient(worst)| shown
15/15
2(c)(iv) — y-Intercept
✓
y-intercept calculated via y = mx + c substitution — NOT read directly from a false origin
15/15
✓
Intercept uncertainty: use gradient of WORST ACCEPTABLE LINE to calculate its intercept. Show: Δc = |c(best) − c(worst)|
15/15
2(d) — Extracting Physical Constants
✓
Gradient and/or intercept substituted explicitly — NOT data values from the table
15/15
✓
Powers of ten from axis labels included in calculation; final answer has correct unit and correct power of ten
15/15
✓
ln vs lg distinguished correctly: 10^(intercept) for lg axes; e^(intercept) for ln axes
15/15
📋
The 18 Recurring Criticisms Ranked by frequency across 15 series of examiner reports
Reference ▾
1
Uncertainty: incorrect combining rules (absolute vs percentage, conversion between them) 15/15
2
Gradient: small triangle, or reading from data points not the line 15/15
3
Worst acceptable line: not passing through all error bars, or gradient not calculated from it 15/15
4
Best-fit line: joining top to bottom point, or not balanced about the data 15/15
5
Error bars: not symmetrical, incorrect length, or missing 15/15
6
Graph: false origin error on y-intercept, or incorrect assumption line passes through origin 15/15
7
Significant figures in calculated column: not matching raw data precision 15/15
8
Rearranging equation into straight-line form: algebra errors, wrong form, missing negative sign 15/15
9
Gradient/intercept: not used to extract physical constant (data substitution used instead) 15/15
10
Control of variables: "keep constant" without stating how, or just writing "control" 15/15
11
Measurement: vague instrument description, wrong instrument for scale of measurement 15/15
12
Planning: vague responses, textbook rules, not specific to this experiment 15/15
13
"Relationship is valid if" + "straight" language missing from graph confirmation 15/15
14
Gradient uncertainty: working not shown, coordinates from worst acceptable line not stated 15/15
15
Units and powers of ten: missing or wrong on final numerical answers 15/15
16
Practical experience: plans that could not work in a laboratory 15/15
17
How to extract constant from graph: constant not made the subject of the equation 14/15
18▲
Circuit diagrams: unworkable, components incorrectly placed — INTENSIFYING from 2023 8/15

✓ Checklist Complete

Every item ticked. You're applying examiner-level thinking. Now go check your actual answers match this standard.

What to check before you put your pen down on Cambridge A Level Physics Paper 5

Cambridge A Level Physics 9702 Paper 5 is a highly structured paper: the same categories of marks appear on every question in roughly the same order. That predictability is an advantage — a well-practised candidate can run a mental checklist after completing each question to verify that nothing has been missed. This tool turns that checklist into an interactive self-assessment you can use after every practice Paper 5 to identify which marks you’re consistently dropping.

For Q1 (Planning) the checklist covers: Variables — independent variable named, dependent variable named, control variable with reason; Diagram — clear labelled sketch showing how quantities are measured; Measurement procedure — specific enough that someone could follow it; Sources of error — specific to this experiment, not generic statements like “human error”; Safety — relevant to the actual hazard. For Q2 (Analysis): column headings with units, significant figures consistent with raw data, best-fit line drawn with a ruler, gradient triangle spanning at least half the line, and constants extracted correctly from gradient and intercept.

Drawn from 15 examination series, the checklist reflects confirmed examiner conventions. After each practice paper, tick everything you completed correctly, note where marks were lost, and use the rankings to prioritise your revision. Pair with the Paper 5 cheatsheet for a full reference view and the linearisation trainer to drill the Q2 graph skills specifically.

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