Skip to content
Marlbridge

OCR · A Level

OCR A Level Physics

Physics for OCR A Level (syllabus H556) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
H556
Board
OCR
Qualification
A Level

At a glance

Qualification
OCR A Level Physics
Spec code
H556
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 6 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-18, official OCR specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official OCR specification on 2026-08-18.

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

The qualification

OCR A Level Physics A (H556)

Our A Level in Physics A, enables students to build on their knowledge of the laws of physics, applying their understanding to solve problems on topics ranging from subatomic particles to the entire universe. They also have the opportunity to develop all the relevant practical skills. — OCR, official syllabus page

Qualification number 601/4743/X.

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

Assessment structure

Linear qualification

Assessment components for OCR Physics H556
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
H556/01: Paper 1: Modelling physics 2h 15m 100 37% Written exam
H556/02: Paper 2: Exploring physics 2h 15m 100 37% Written exam
H556/03: Paper 3: Unified physics 1h 30m 70 26% Written exam

Source: official OCR specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against OCR's own official A Level Physics A (H556) "Assessment story: exploring our question papers" guide (2026-08-28). Three examined components: Paper 1 "Modelling physics" and Paper 2 "Exploring physics" are each 100 marks/2h15/37%; Paper 3 "Unified physics" (all modules, synoptic) is 70 marks/1h30/26%. Total 270 marks across the three papers determines the overall A*-E grade. A separate Practical Endorsement (non-exam assessment, minimum 12 practical activities, internally assessed) is reported separately as Pass/Not Classified and does not contribute marks to the 270-mark grade; recorded here as a 0-mark/0-weighting non-exam-assessment component to preserve that it exists without implying it adds to the 270-mark total.

Assessment FAQs

How is OCR Physics (H556) assessed?

OCR Physics (H556) is assessed through: H556/01 (Paper 1: Modelling physics) — 2h 15m, 100 marks, 37% of the qualification; H556/02 (Paper 2: Exploring physics) — 2h 15m, 100 marks, 37% of the qualification; H556/03 (Paper 3: Unified physics) — 1h 30m, 70 marks, 26% of the qualification. It is a linear qualification. Source: official OCR specification, verified 2026-08-28.

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 OCR A Level Physics A (H556), for the For first teaching 2015 examination series, reproduced from the OCR 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 2 of 6 topics.

  1. 1 Development of practical skills in physics

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Practical skills assessed in a written examination · Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

  2. 2 Foundations of physics

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Physical quantities and units · Making measurements and analysing data · Nature of quantities

  3. 3 Forces and motion

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Motion · Forces in action · Work, energy and power · Materials · Newton's laws of motion and momentum

  4. 4 Electrons, waves and photons

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Charge and current · Energy, power and resistance · Electrical circuits · Waves · Quantum physics

  5. 5 Newtonian world and astrophysics

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Thermal physics · Circular motion · Oscillations · Gravitational fields · Astrophysics and cosmology

  6. 6 Particles and medical physics

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

    Capacitors · Electric fields · Electromagnetism · Nuclear and particle physics · Medical imaging

Source: OCR -- official A Level GCE Physics A H556 specification (accredited PDF) — For first teaching 2015 series. Verified 2026-09-02. 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 OCR A Level Physics? Tell us where the difficulty is.

Find Learning Support