AQA GCSE PHYSICS 8463/1H
Paper 1 Higher Tier
Mark scheme
June 2026
Version/Stage: 1.0 Final
MARK SCHEME INFORMATION
● Emboldened text indicates the exact answer required or a key marking point.
● Marks are non-divisible (either 0 or the full mark for that point).
● AO = Assessment Objective (AO1 = knowledge/understanding; AO2 = application;
AO3 = analysis/evaluation/practical skills).
● ecf = error carried forward (allow credit for correct method using incorrect earlier
answer).
● owtte = or words to that effect.
● QWC = quality of written communication (assessed in extended response
questions).
SECTION A
Question 01.1
What is the unit of energy?
TableCopy
Mar
Answer AO Additional Guidance
k
, A (Ampere) – unit of electric current; tests confusion between
electrical quantities. C (Newton) – unit of force; tests confusion
B AO1.
1 between force and energy. D (Watt) – unit of power; most common
(Joule) 1
distractor—tests understanding that power is rate of energy transfer,
not energy itself.
Rationale: AO1.1 tests recall of fundamental SI units. Energy is a scalar quantity
measured in joules (J). The watt (W) is the most significant distractor as students
frequently conflate energy transferred with power.
Question 01.2
Which of the following is a renewable energy resource?
TableCopy
Mar
Answer AO Additional Guidance
k
A (Coal) – fossil fuel, non-renewable; tests basic classification. B
(Natural gas) – fossil fuel, non-renewable; common distractor due to
C AO1.
1 "natural" terminology. D (Nuclear fuel) – non-renewable (finite
(Wind) 1
uranium resources); tests misconception that "low carbon" equals
"renewable."
Rationale: Renewable resources are naturally replenished on human timescales. Wind is
continuously available. Nuclear is low-carbon but not renewable due to finite fuel and
waste considerations.
Question 01.3
,A student measures the potential difference across a resistor as 6.0 V and the current
through it as 2.0 A. What is the resistance?
TableCopy
Mar
Answer AO Additional Guidance
k
B (0.33 Ω) – inverts equation (V/I vs I/V); common calculation error.
A (3.0 AO2. C (8.0 Ω) – adds values (V + I); tests random combination error. D
1
Ω) 1 (12 Ω) – multiplies values (V × I); confuses with power calculation (P
= VI).
Rationale: AO2.1 tests application of R = V/I (Ohm's Law). Correct substitution: R = 6.0 ÷
2.0 = 3.0 Ω. Unit must be ohm (Ω) for credit.
Question 02.1
Figure 1 shows a distance-time graph for a cyclist. Calculate the speed between 10 s
and 25 s.
TableCopy
M
a A
Marking Point Additional Guidance
r O
k
, A
M1: Correct read-off from graph Accept distance in range 88–92 m; time
O
(distance = 150 m – 60 m = 90 m; time = 1 in range 14–16 s (allowing for graph
2.
25 s – 10 s = 15 s) reading tolerance).
1
A
M2: Substitution into speed = distance ÷ O ecf from M1 for incorrect readings within
1
time (90 ÷ 15) 2. tolerance.
1
A
A1: 6.0 m/s (allow 5.9–6.1 m/s from O Unit required. Penalise incorrect or
1
tolerance) 2. missing unit once per question only.
1
Total: 3 marks
Rationale: AO2.1 tests graphical analysis and kinematic calculation. Gradient of
distance-time graph represents speed. Students must demonstrate ability to read
scales accurately and apply v = Δs/Δt.
Question 02.2
Describe the motion of the cyclist between 0 s and 10 s.
TableCopy
A
Marking Point M Additional Guidance
O
a
Paper 1 Higher Tier
Mark scheme
June 2026
Version/Stage: 1.0 Final
MARK SCHEME INFORMATION
● Emboldened text indicates the exact answer required or a key marking point.
● Marks are non-divisible (either 0 or the full mark for that point).
● AO = Assessment Objective (AO1 = knowledge/understanding; AO2 = application;
AO3 = analysis/evaluation/practical skills).
● ecf = error carried forward (allow credit for correct method using incorrect earlier
answer).
● owtte = or words to that effect.
● QWC = quality of written communication (assessed in extended response
questions).
SECTION A
Question 01.1
What is the unit of energy?
TableCopy
Mar
Answer AO Additional Guidance
k
, A (Ampere) – unit of electric current; tests confusion between
electrical quantities. C (Newton) – unit of force; tests confusion
B AO1.
1 between force and energy. D (Watt) – unit of power; most common
(Joule) 1
distractor—tests understanding that power is rate of energy transfer,
not energy itself.
Rationale: AO1.1 tests recall of fundamental SI units. Energy is a scalar quantity
measured in joules (J). The watt (W) is the most significant distractor as students
frequently conflate energy transferred with power.
Question 01.2
Which of the following is a renewable energy resource?
TableCopy
Mar
Answer AO Additional Guidance
k
A (Coal) – fossil fuel, non-renewable; tests basic classification. B
(Natural gas) – fossil fuel, non-renewable; common distractor due to
C AO1.
1 "natural" terminology. D (Nuclear fuel) – non-renewable (finite
(Wind) 1
uranium resources); tests misconception that "low carbon" equals
"renewable."
Rationale: Renewable resources are naturally replenished on human timescales. Wind is
continuously available. Nuclear is low-carbon but not renewable due to finite fuel and
waste considerations.
Question 01.3
,A student measures the potential difference across a resistor as 6.0 V and the current
through it as 2.0 A. What is the resistance?
TableCopy
Mar
Answer AO Additional Guidance
k
B (0.33 Ω) – inverts equation (V/I vs I/V); common calculation error.
A (3.0 AO2. C (8.0 Ω) – adds values (V + I); tests random combination error. D
1
Ω) 1 (12 Ω) – multiplies values (V × I); confuses with power calculation (P
= VI).
Rationale: AO2.1 tests application of R = V/I (Ohm's Law). Correct substitution: R = 6.0 ÷
2.0 = 3.0 Ω. Unit must be ohm (Ω) for credit.
Question 02.1
Figure 1 shows a distance-time graph for a cyclist. Calculate the speed between 10 s
and 25 s.
TableCopy
M
a A
Marking Point Additional Guidance
r O
k
, A
M1: Correct read-off from graph Accept distance in range 88–92 m; time
O
(distance = 150 m – 60 m = 90 m; time = 1 in range 14–16 s (allowing for graph
2.
25 s – 10 s = 15 s) reading tolerance).
1
A
M2: Substitution into speed = distance ÷ O ecf from M1 for incorrect readings within
1
time (90 ÷ 15) 2. tolerance.
1
A
A1: 6.0 m/s (allow 5.9–6.1 m/s from O Unit required. Penalise incorrect or
1
tolerance) 2. missing unit once per question only.
1
Total: 3 marks
Rationale: AO2.1 tests graphical analysis and kinematic calculation. Gradient of
distance-time graph represents speed. Students must demonstrate ability to read
scales accurately and apply v = Δs/Δt.
Question 02.2
Describe the motion of the cyclist between 0 s and 10 s.
TableCopy
A
Marking Point M Additional Guidance
O
a
