At a glance
- Qualification
- AQA A Level Physics
- Spec code
- 7408
- Does Marlbridge teach it?
- Yes
- Are resources available?
- Yes — 7 published
- Is enrolment open?
- Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
- Where was this verified?
- 2026-08-19, official AQA specification
Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official AQA specification on 2026-08-19.
Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.
The qualification
AQA A-level Physics (7408)
We've ensured that the AS and A-level are fully co-teachable. The AS exams include similar questions to those in the A-level, with less difficulty. We've provided five optional topics as part of the full A-level course so students can focus on their areas of interest: Astrophysics, Medical physics, Turning points in physics, Engineering physics, Electronics. — AQA, official syllabus page
First teaching September 2015. Sections 3.1-3.5 (Measurements and their errors; Particles and radiation; Waves; Mechanics and materials; Electricity) are shared with the co-teachable AS Physics (7407) and are typically taught in year 1. Sections 3.6-3.8 (Further mechanics and thermal physics; Fields and their consequences; Nuclear physics) are A-level only, typically taught in year 2. Students also study one of five optional A-level-only topics chosen by their centre: Astrophysics, Medical physics, Engineering physics, Turning points in physics, or Electronics. Assessed across three written papers plus separately-certificated practical endorsement based on 12 required practical activities.
Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the AQA syllabus page for your examination year.
Assessment structure
Linear qualification
| Component | Duration | Marks | Weighting | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7408/1: Paper 1 | 2h | 85 | 34% | Written exam |
| 7408/2: Paper 2 | 2h | 85 | 34% | Written exam |
| 7408/3: Paper 3 | 2h | 80 | 32% | Written exam |
Source: official AQA specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official AQA specification-at-a-glance page: linear, not tiered, three written papers. Paper 1 (sections 1-5 plus 6.1 Periodic motion): 2h/85marks/34% of A-level -- 60 marks short/long answer, 25 marks multiple choice. Paper 2 (sections 6.2 Thermal Physics, 7 and 8, assuming knowledge from 1-6.1): 2h/85marks/34% -- 60 marks short/long answer, 25 marks multiple choice. Paper 3 (Section A compulsory practical skills and data analysis, 45 marks; Section B one optional topic chosen from Astrophysics/Medical physics/Engineering physics/Turning points in physics/Electronics, 35 marks): 2h/80marks/32%. Total 250 marks. First teaching September 2015, first A-level assessment June 2017.
Assessment FAQs
How is AQA Physics (7408) assessed?
AQA Physics (7408) is assessed through: 7408/1 (Paper 1) — 2h, 85 marks, 34% of the qualification; 7408/2 (Paper 2) — 2h, 85 marks, 34% of the qualification; 7408/3 (Paper 3) — 2h, 80 marks, 32% of the qualification. It is a linear qualification. Source: official AQA specification, verified 2026-08-28.
The subject
Physics teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.
Syllabus topics
The 8 topics below are the official subject content of AQA A-level Physics (7408), for the For first teaching 2015 examination series, reproduced from the AQA syllabus document.
A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 1 of 8 topics.
-
1 Measurements and their errors
7 Marlbridge resources- AQA A-Level Physics: Estimation of Physical Quantities — Practice Questions
- AQA A-Level Physics: Use of SI Units and Their Prefixes — Practice Questions
- AQA A Level Physics: Measurements and Their Errors — Practice Questions
- AQA A Level Physics: Measurements and Their Errors — Revision Notes
- Estimation of Physical Quantities
- Limitation of Physical Measurements
- Use of SI Units and Their Prefixes
Use of SI units and their prefixes · Limitation of physical measurements · Estimation of physical quantities
-
2 Particles and radiation
Syllabus topic · no resource yetParticles · Electromagnetic radiation and quantum phenomena
-
3 Waves
Syllabus topic · no resource yetProgressive and stationary waves · Refraction, diffraction and interference
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4 Mechanics and materials
Syllabus topic · no resource yetForce, energy and momentum · Materials
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5 Electricity
Syllabus topic · no resource yetCurrent electricity
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6 Further mechanics and thermal physics
Syllabus topic · no resource yetPeriodic motion · Thermal physics
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7 Fields and their consequences
Syllabus topic · no resource yetFields · Gravitational fields · Electric fields · Capacitance · Magnetic fields
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8 Nuclear physics
Syllabus topic · no resource yetRadioactivity
Source: AQA -- official A-level Physics (7408) specification, live subject-content pages — For first teaching 2015 series. Verified 2026-08-19. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.
Study resources
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Revision Notes
AQA A Level Physics: Measurements and Their Errors — Revision Notes
Condensed recall notes on SI units, uncertainty, accuracy and precision, error types and graphical analysis for AQA A Level Physics 7408.
Physics · AQA · A LEVELS
-
Study Guides
Estimation of Physical Quantities
Orders of magnitude and estimating approximate values of physical quantities, for sub-topic 3.1.3 of AQA A-level Physics (7408).
Physics · AQA · A LEVELS
-
Study Guides
Limitation of Physical Measurements
Random and systematic errors, precision and accuracy, and the treatment of uncertainty, for sub-topic 3.1.2 of AQA A-level Physics (7408).
Physics · AQA · A LEVELS
-
Study Guides
Use of SI Units and Their Prefixes
Fundamental (base) SI units, derived units, and standard-form prefixes, for sub-topic 3.1.1 of AQA A-level Physics (7408).
Physics · AQA · A LEVELS
Revision material
Exam preparation
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Practice Questions
AQA A-Level Physics: Estimation of Physical Quantities — Practice Questions
Original exam-style practice questions with full worked answers on orders of magnitude, estimating physical quantities and producing derived estimates, for sub-topic 3.1.3 of AQA A-level Physics (7408).
Physics · AQA · A LEVELS
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Practice Questions
AQA A-Level Physics: Use of SI Units and Their Prefixes — Practice Questions
Original exam-style practice questions with full worked answers on base and derived SI units, SI prefixes, standard form, and converting between units of the same quantity, for sub-topic 3.1.1 of AQA A-level Physics (7408).
Physics · AQA · A LEVELS
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Practice Questions
AQA A Level Physics: Measurements and Their Errors — Practice Questions
Original exam-style practice questions with full worked answers on uncertainty, errors, precision and graphical analysis for AQA A Level Physics 7408.
Physics · AQA · A LEVELS
Physics at other qualifications
These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.
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