How to use this checklist: Work through each strategy in the weeks before your exam. Tick each item when you can do it reliably — not when you’ve read about it. The gap between A and A* is almost always writing precision, not physics knowledge.
- I can give a causal explanation (mechanism + consequence), not just describe the outcome
- For resistance + temperature: “ions vibrate with greater amplitude, causing more frequent collisions with electrons”
- For transformer explanation: “changing magnetic flux in primary” + “induces EMF in secondary coil”
- I have practised writing answers against the mark scheme and identified the exact phrase I was missing
- I have reviewed the examiner tips trainer for topics I keep dropping marks on
- Speed: distance travelled per unit time (not “how fast you go”)
- Specific heat capacity: energy required to raise temperature of 1 kg by 1 K (1 °C), without change of state
- Specific latent heat: energy required to change state of 1 kg at constant temperature
- Pressure (kinetic model): rate of change of momentum of particles colliding with the container walls
- I have drilled the full 0625 definitions deck and can recall all 120 items accurately
| Word | What it requires |
|---|
State | One-line fact, no explanation |
Describe | What happens, not why |
Explain | Mechanism + consequence (2 mark points) |
Calculate | Substitution shown + units |
Determine | Method shown (e.g. gradient triangle) |
Sketch | Correct shape + key features labelled |
- I check the command word before writing any answer
- I never write an explanation when the question says “state”
- Both axes labelled with quantity and unit
- Scale is sensible (uses at least half the grid)
- Points plotted correctly (≤ 1 mm from true position)
- Line of best fit is a single smooth line, not dot-to-dot
- Line passes through origin only if physics requires it
- Gradient: triangle drawn on graph, Δy and Δx values written, units carried through
Question 1 — Planning
- Correct circuit / apparatus diagram
- Independent variable named and varied
- Dependent variable named and measured
- At least one specific control variable
- Method produces a range of at least 6 readings
- Safety precaution relevant to the apparatus
Question 2 — Analysis
- Readings to correct sig. figs. and precision
- Calculated column with correct values and units
- Graph axes: quantity + unit, sensible scale
- Points plotted, best-fit line drawn
- Gradient found using large triangle on line
- Limitation: specific apparatus fault (not “human error”)
- Improvement: specific method with reason
Full mark breakdown at cieinsider.com/0625/p5/guide/ · Drill in examiner language at cieinsider.com/0625/p5/drill/
- Weeks 1–2: Definitions deck — all 120 items. Flag any you keep missing; return to them daily.
- Weeks 3–4: Paper 5 drill. Read the guide first, then practise planning, recording, analysis, and evaluation questions daily.
- Weeks 5–6: Past papers under timed conditions. Mark against the scheme word by word. For every missed mark, identify the specific phrase you were missing.
- Final week: filter the examiner tips by the topics you keep dropping marks on.