OCR A level Physics past papers and mark schemes

By the STEM-Tutor team · Updated October 2026

OCR publishes its A level Physics A (H556) past papers free, with mark schemes and examiner reports. There are three papers: Modelling physics (100 marks, 2 hours 15 minutes), Exploring physics (100 marks, 2 hours 15 minutes) and Unified physics (70 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes).

OCR A level Physics papers by series

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Source: official OCR A level Physics past papers. All papers are © their publisher.

OCR A level Physics paper structure

A calculator is allowed in every paper, and you get the board's data and formulae booklet in the exam.

Tips for OCR A level Physics papers

• Papers 1 and 2 each start with 15 multiple-choice questions. Answer all of them: there is no penalty for wrong answers.
• Unified physics draws on the whole course, so practise it last, once every topic is covered.
• OCR often asks you to describe an experiment in detail. Practise a clear method: what you measure, with what, and how you process the data.
• Use the examiner reports to see the level of detail full-mark answers gave.

Frequently asked questions

Is this OCR Physics A or B?

This page is OCR Physics A (H556). Physics B (Advancing Physics, H557) is a different qualification with its own papers.

How long are the OCR A level Physics papers?

Modelling physics and Exploring physics are 2 hours 15 minutes each; Unified physics is 1 hour 30 minutes.

Which OCR paper covers the whole course?

Paper 3, Unified physics, can test any part of the specification.