Skip to content
Marlbridge

Cambridge · O Level

Cambridge O Level Physics

Physics for Cambridge O Level (syllabus 5054) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
5054
Board
Cambridge
Qualification
O Level

At a glance

Qualification
Cambridge O Level Physics
Spec code
5054
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 24 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-25, official Cambridge specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official Cambridge specification on 2026-08-25.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

Cambridge O Level Physics (5054)

The Cambridge O Level Physics syllabus helps learners to understand the technological world in which they live, and take an informed interest in science and scientific developments. — Cambridge, official syllabus page

Current syllabus is Version 2, published December 2025, confirmed directly from the official syllabus PDF as valid for exams in 2026, 2027 and 2028 (June and November series). No significant changes affecting teaching since the prior version; textbooks endorsed for examination from 2023 remain suitable. Four components: Paper 1 Multiple Choice and Paper 2 Theory (written), plus practical assessment via Paper 3 Practical Test or Paper 4 Alternative to Practical.

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the Cambridge syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Assessment components for Cambridge Physics 5054
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
Paper 1: Multiple Choice 1h 40 30% Multiple choice
Paper 2: Theory 1h 45m 80 50% Written exam
Paper 3: Practical Test 1h 30m 40 20% * Practical
Paper 4: Alternative to Practical 1h 40 20% * Alternative to practical

* Candidates sit one of the components marked with an asterisk, not all of them.

Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-27. Same structure as O Level Chemistry 5070, directly confirmed against the official PDF (Assessment overview, p.9): Paper 1 Multiple Choice 1h/40 marks/30%; Paper 2 Theory 1h45/80 marks/50%; practical component is a choice of Paper 3 Practical Test (1h30/40 marks/20%) OR Paper 4 Alternative to Practical (1h/40 marks/20%), both externally assessed. Examination-series window 2026-2028 (June and November series); no separate first-teaching date published.

Assessment FAQs

How is Cambridge Physics (5054) assessed?

Cambridge Physics (5054) is assessed through: Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) — 1h, 40 marks, 30% of the qualification; Paper 2 (Theory) — 1h 45m, 80 marks, 50% of the qualification; Paper 3 (Practical Test) — 1h 30m, 40 marks, 20% of the qualification; Paper 4 (Alternative to Practical) — 1h, 40 marks, 20% of the qualification. Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-27.

The subject

Physics teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.

All Physics at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 6 topics below are the official subject content of Cambridge O Level Physics (5054), for the 2026-2028 examination series, reproduced from the Cambridge 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 6 topics.

  1. 1 Motion, forces and energy

    24 Marlbridge resources

    Physical quantities and measurement techniques · Motion · Mass and weight · Density · Forces · Momentum · Energy, work and power · Pressure

  2. 2 Thermal physics

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  3. 3 Waves

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  4. 4 Electricity and magnetism

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  5. 5 Nuclear physics

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  6. 6 Space physics

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

Source: Cambridge Assessment International Education — official syllabus PDF — 2026-2028 series. Verified 2026-08-18. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

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.

Related articles

Studying Cambridge O Level Physics? Tell us where the difficulty is.

Find Learning Support