The AQA GCSE Physics specification (8463), explained
The AQA GCSE Physics specification is the official list of everything your exams can test. It is long, but its structure is simple: eight topics, two papers and ten required practicals. Here is how it fits together and how to use it as a revision checklist.
Quick answer
The AQA GCSE Physics specification (8463) is examined in two papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes and 100 marks, worth 50% each. Paper 1 covers energy, electricity, particle model and atomic structure; Paper 2 covers forces, waves, magnetism and electromagnetism, and space physics.
On this page
The eight topics
- Energy: energy stores and transfers, work, power, efficiency, specific heat capacity and energy resources.
- Electricity: circuits, current, potential difference and resistance, series and parallel circuits, mains electricity, power and the National Grid, and static electricity.
- Particle model of matter: density, changes of state, internal energy, specific latent heat and gas pressure.
- Atomic structure: the model of the atom, isotopes, radioactive decay, half-life, and hazards and uses of radiation, with nuclear fission and fusion in the separate Physics course.
- Forces: scalars and vectors, resultant forces, work done, forces and elasticity, moments, levers and gears, pressure in fluids, motion, Newton's laws, momentum and stopping distances.
- Waves: transverse and longitudinal waves, reflection and refraction, sound, electromagnetic waves, lenses and visible light, and black body radiation.
- Magnetism and electromagnetism: magnets and fields, the motor effect, induced potential, generators, microphones and transformers.
- Space physics (Physics only): the Solar System, the life cycle of a star, orbital motion, and red-shift.
How the papers split the topics
- Paper 1: topics 1 to 4 (energy, electricity, particle model, atomic structure). 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks, 50% of the GCSE.
- Paper 2: topics 5 to 8 (forces, waves, magnetism and electromagnetism, space). 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks, 50%. It can also draw on energy and electricity ideas from Paper 1.
- Both papers are set at Foundation or Higher tier, with multiple choice, structured, short answer and open response questions.
The ten required practicals
- Specific heat capacity.
- Thermal insulation (Physics only).
- Resistance: factors affecting the resistance of a wire and of resistor combinations.
- I-V characteristics of a resistor, a filament lamp and a diode.
- Density of regular and irregular objects.
- Force and extension of a spring.
- Force, mass and acceleration.
- Waves: measuring frequency, wavelength and speed in a ripple tank and on a string.
- Reflection and refraction of light (Physics only).
- Infrared radiation emitted and absorbed by different surfaces.
Questions about these practicals appear in the written papers, so you need to know the method, the variables, the risks and how to process the results.
Equations
For GCSE Physics exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027, students are given an equation sheet, so you do not have to memorise the equations. The marks come from choosing the right equation, rearranging it and using the correct units. See our GCSE Physics equations guide.
Maths skills
GCSE Physics rules set by the Department for Education require at least 30% of the marks to assess maths skills. In practice that means:
- substituting into equations and rearranging them;
- using standard form, significant figures and unit prefixes;
- plotting graphs and finding gradients and areas;
- calculating means and handling uncertainty in experimental data.
Physics or Combined Science?
The specification code 8463 is the separate GCSE Physics course. AQA's Combined Science: Trilogy covers much of the same physics with fewer topics and fewer required practicals, and leads to a double award. Check which course you are entered for: the papers are different.
Using the specification as a checklist
How can a student turn the 8463 specification into a revision plan?
- List every spec point under the eight topics and mark each one green (secure), amber (shaky) or red (new).
- Revise the red and amber points first, using past paper questions on each one.
- Tick off each required practical only when you can describe the method, the variables and how to process the results.
A Paper 1 calculation
A 2.0 kg block of aluminium is heated from 20 °C to 45 °C. Its specific heat capacity is 900 J/kg °C. How much energy is transferred?
- ΔE = mcΔθ = 2.0 × 900 × 25.
- ΔE = 45 000 J.
A Paper 2 calculation
A 1200 kg car accelerates at 2.5 m/s². What is the resultant force?
- F = ma = 1200 × 2.5 = 3000 N.
How to use the specification well
- Download the current version from AQA's website.
- Notice the Higher-tier-only points, marked in the specification, if you are on Foundation.
- Notice the Physics-only points if you are on Combined Science, so you do not over-revise.
- Match every past paper question to a spec point when you mark it, to see where your gaps are.
More questions
What changed for 2025 to 2027?
Students are given an equation sheet in GCSE Physics exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027. The topics and papers in the specification are otherwise unchanged.
Do Foundation and Higher cover the same topics?
Yes, but some content and questions are Higher tier only. The specification marks the Higher-only points, so Foundation students can focus their revision.
Common mistakes
- Revising from a Combined Science checklist when entered for separate Physics, or the reverse.
- Treating the required practicals as optional: they are examined in the written papers.
- Ignoring Higher-tier-only content when entered for Higher.
- Revising topics without practising the maths skills, which carry many marks.
Practice questions
Try each one before opening the answer.
Q1. Which topics are in Paper 1?
Show answer
Q2. How many required practicals are there in GCSE Physics?
Show answer
Q3. A 60 W lamp runs for 2 minutes. How much energy does it transfer?
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Frequently asked questions
Where can I download the AQA GCSE Physics specification?
From AQA's website, on the GCSE Physics 8463 page. Use the latest version.
Is space physics in Combined Science?
No. Space physics is in the separate Physics course only.
How long are the AQA GCSE Physics papers?
Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes and worth 100 marks.
Key takeaways
- Eight topics, two papers, ten required practicals.
- Paper 1: topics 1 to 4; Paper 2: topics 5 to 8.
- Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks, 50%.
- Equation sheets are given in 2025 to 2027 exams.
- Use the specification as your revision checklist.