Cambridge International AS & A Level Cambridge International AS & A Level
PHYSICS 9702/12 PSYCHOLOGY 9990/12
Paper 1 Multiple Choice May/June 2026 Paper 1 Approaches, issues and debates May/June 2026
1 hour 15 minutes MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 60
You must answer on the multiple choice answer sheet.
*
You will need: Multiple choice answer sheet
Soft clean eraser
Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended) Published
INSTRUCTIONS
There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions.
For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D. Choose the one you consider correct This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
and record your choice in soft pencil on the multiple choice answer sheet. candidate responses for this component.
*
Follow the instructions on the multiple choice answer sheet.
Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
Write in soft pencil.
responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number on the multiple choice answer sheet in the Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
spaces provided unless this has been done for you. scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
Do not use correction fluid or tape. component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
Do not write on any bar codes. the standardisation process.
You may use a calculator.
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
INFORMATION specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
The total mark for this paper is 40.
Each correct answer will score one mark. We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
Any rough working should be done on this question paper. together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
This document has 16 pages.
IB26 06_9702_12/4RP
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
This document consists of 20 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9990/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
General marking principles
Data
All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
acceleration of free fall g = 9.81 m s–2
1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
speed of light in free space c = 3.00 108 m s–1
• the specific content defined in the mark scheme
elementary charge e = 1.60 10–19 C
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
unified atomic mass unit 1 u = 1.66 10–27 kg
2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
rest mass of proton mp = 1.67 10–27 kg
3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
rest mass of electron me = 9.11 10–31 kg
• marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
Avogadro constant NA = 6.02 1023 mol–1 • marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for other valid answers which go beyond the
scope of the syllabus and mark scheme referring to your team leader as appropriate
molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K–1 mol–1 • the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme indicates that these features are specifically
assessed in the question. However, the meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
Boltzmann constant k = 1.38 10–23 J K–1
4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for what to do when candidates have not followed
–11 2 –2 instructions correctly.
gravitational constant G = 6.67 10 N m kg
5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by the quality of the candidate responses seen.
permittivity of free space 0 = 8.85 10–12 F m–1
1 6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with grade thresholds or grade descriptions in
( = 8.99 109 m F–1) mind.
4 0
Planck constant h = 6.63 10–34 J s
Stefan–Boltzmann constant = 5.67 10–8 W m–2 K–4
Formulae
1
uniformly accelerated motion s = ut + 2
at 2
v 2 = u 2 + 2as
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 20
hydrostatic pressure p = gh
upthrust F = gV
fsv
Doppler effect for sound waves fo =
v vs
electric current I = Anvq
resistors in series R = R1 + R2 + ...
1 1 1
resistors in parallel = + + ...
R R1 R2
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9702/12/M/J/26
, 9990/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
3 PUBLISHED
Social Sciences-Specific Marking Principles
1 Which row correctly identifies scalar and vector quantities? (for point-based marking)
scalar quantities vector quantities 1 Components using point-based marking:
• Point marking is often used to reward knowledge, understanding and application of skills. We give credit where the candidate’s answer
A energy and work momentum and power shows relevant knowledge, understanding and application of skills in answering the question. We do not give credit where the answer
B energy and momentum force and power shows confusion.
C energy and power force and momentum From this it follows that we:
D momentum and power force and velocity a DO credit answers which are worded differently from the mark scheme if they clearly convey the same meaning (unless the mark
scheme requires a specific term)
b DO credit alternative answers/examples which are not written in the mark scheme if they are correct
2 What are the base units for intensity? c DO credit answers where candidates give more than one correct answer in one prompt/numbered/scaffolded space where extended
writing is required rather than list-type answers. For example, questions that require n reasons (e.g. State two reasons …).
A kg s–3 B kg s C kg m2 s–3 D kg m4 s–3 d DO NOT credit answers simply for using a ‘key term’ unless that is all that is required. (Check for evidence it is understood and not used
wrongly.)
e DO NOT credit answers which are obviously self-contradicting or trying to cover all possibilities
3 Three coplanar forces, P, Q and R, act at a point. f DO NOT give further credit for what is effectively repetition of a correct point already credited unless the language itself is being tested.
This applies equally to ‘mirror statements’ (i.e. polluted/not polluted).
P g DO NOT require spellings to be correct, unless this is part of the test. However spellings of syllabus terms must allow for clear and
unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms with which they may be confused (e.g. corrasion/corrosion)
90° Q 2 Presentation of mark scheme:
• Slashes (/) or the word ‘or’ separate alternative ways of making the same point.
• Semi colons (;) bullet points (•) or figures in brackets (1) separate different points.
45° • Content in the answer column in brackets is for examiner information/context to clarify the marking but is not required to earn the mark
R (except Accounting syllabuses where they indicate negative numbers).
The three forces are in equilibrium.
The magnitude of P is increased by 10%. The directions of the forces are unchanged.
Which percentage increase, if any, is required to the magnitudes of Q and R for the forces to be
once again in equilibrium?
% increase in % increase in
magnitude of Q magnitude of R
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 20
A 10 10
B 0 10
C 10 2 10 2
D 10 10 2
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9702/12/M/J/26 [Turn over
PHYSICS 9702/12 PSYCHOLOGY 9990/12
Paper 1 Multiple Choice May/June 2026 Paper 1 Approaches, issues and debates May/June 2026
1 hour 15 minutes MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 60
You must answer on the multiple choice answer sheet.
*
You will need: Multiple choice answer sheet
Soft clean eraser
Soft pencil (type B or HB is recommended) Published
INSTRUCTIONS
There are forty questions on this paper. Answer all questions.
For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D. Choose the one you consider correct This mark scheme contains the instructions and marking guidance that our examiners used to mark
and record your choice in soft pencil on the multiple choice answer sheet. candidate responses for this component.
*
Follow the instructions on the multiple choice answer sheet.
Before they start marking, examiners complete a standardisation process. They review a range of candidate
Write in soft pencil.
responses and discuss the mark scheme in detail to agree which answers can and cannot be accepted.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number on the multiple choice answer sheet in the Examiners award marks where it is clear that candidate responses have met the requirements of the mark
spaces provided unless this has been done for you. scheme. These requirements may vary between different components or different versions of the same
Do not use correction fluid or tape. component, depending on the exact requirements of the question and the candidate responses seen during
Do not write on any bar codes. the standardisation process.
You may use a calculator.
Sometimes, our mark schemes may allow marks to be awarded to responses which contain elements that
are factually incorrect or for content not covered by the syllabus. We do this in response to the demands of a
INFORMATION specific question to support candidates and make sure that our assessments are fair. However, these
allowances should not be used as a guide for teaching and learning.
The total mark for this paper is 40.
Each correct answer will score one mark. We cannot discuss the mark scheme with schools, and we recommend that schools read the mark scheme
Any rough working should be done on this question paper. together with the assessment material and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers.
This document has 16 pages.
IB26 06_9702_12/4RP
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
This document consists of 20 printed pages.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 [Turn over
, 9990/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
2 PUBLISHED
General marking principles
Data
All examiners must apply these marking principles when marking candidate responses.
acceleration of free fall g = 9.81 m s–2
1 Examiners must award marks for each response in line with:
speed of light in free space c = 3.00 108 m s–1
• the specific content defined in the mark scheme
elementary charge e = 1.60 10–19 C
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the level descriptions
• the standard of response required as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
unified atomic mass unit 1 u = 1.66 10–27 kg
2 Examiners must award whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
rest mass of proton mp = 1.67 10–27 kg
3 Examiners must award marks positively. This means that:
rest mass of electron me = 9.11 10–31 kg
• marks are not deducted for errors or omissions
Avogadro constant NA = 6.02 1023 mol–1 • marks are awarded for correct/valid answers as defined in the mark scheme and also for other valid answers which go beyond the
scope of the syllabus and mark scheme referring to your team leader as appropriate
molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K–1 mol–1 • the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar are judged only when the mark scheme indicates that these features are specifically
assessed in the question. However, the meaning of all responses must be unambiguous.
Boltzmann constant k = 1.38 10–23 J K–1
4 Examiners must consistently apply the requirements of the mark scheme and any rules for what to do when candidates have not followed
–11 2 –2 instructions correctly.
gravitational constant G = 6.67 10 N m kg
5 Examiners must use the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme, unless limited by the quality of the candidate responses seen.
permittivity of free space 0 = 8.85 10–12 F m–1
1 6 Examiners must award marks according to the mark scheme and must not award marks with grade thresholds or grade descriptions in
( = 8.99 109 m F–1) mind.
4 0
Planck constant h = 6.63 10–34 J s
Stefan–Boltzmann constant = 5.67 10–8 W m–2 K–4
Formulae
1
uniformly accelerated motion s = ut + 2
at 2
v 2 = u 2 + 2as
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 2 of 20
hydrostatic pressure p = gh
upthrust F = gV
fsv
Doppler effect for sound waves fo =
v vs
electric current I = Anvq
resistors in series R = R1 + R2 + ...
1 1 1
resistors in parallel = + + ...
R R1 R2
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9702/12/M/J/26
, 9990/12 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme May/June 2026
3 PUBLISHED
Social Sciences-Specific Marking Principles
1 Which row correctly identifies scalar and vector quantities? (for point-based marking)
scalar quantities vector quantities 1 Components using point-based marking:
• Point marking is often used to reward knowledge, understanding and application of skills. We give credit where the candidate’s answer
A energy and work momentum and power shows relevant knowledge, understanding and application of skills in answering the question. We do not give credit where the answer
B energy and momentum force and power shows confusion.
C energy and power force and momentum From this it follows that we:
D momentum and power force and velocity a DO credit answers which are worded differently from the mark scheme if they clearly convey the same meaning (unless the mark
scheme requires a specific term)
b DO credit alternative answers/examples which are not written in the mark scheme if they are correct
2 What are the base units for intensity? c DO credit answers where candidates give more than one correct answer in one prompt/numbered/scaffolded space where extended
writing is required rather than list-type answers. For example, questions that require n reasons (e.g. State two reasons …).
A kg s–3 B kg s C kg m2 s–3 D kg m4 s–3 d DO NOT credit answers simply for using a ‘key term’ unless that is all that is required. (Check for evidence it is understood and not used
wrongly.)
e DO NOT credit answers which are obviously self-contradicting or trying to cover all possibilities
3 Three coplanar forces, P, Q and R, act at a point. f DO NOT give further credit for what is effectively repetition of a correct point already credited unless the language itself is being tested.
This applies equally to ‘mirror statements’ (i.e. polluted/not polluted).
P g DO NOT require spellings to be correct, unless this is part of the test. However spellings of syllabus terms must allow for clear and
unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms with which they may be confused (e.g. corrasion/corrosion)
90° Q 2 Presentation of mark scheme:
• Slashes (/) or the word ‘or’ separate alternative ways of making the same point.
• Semi colons (;) bullet points (•) or figures in brackets (1) separate different points.
45° • Content in the answer column in brackets is for examiner information/context to clarify the marking but is not required to earn the mark
R (except Accounting syllabuses where they indicate negative numbers).
The three forces are in equilibrium.
The magnitude of P is increased by 10%. The directions of the forces are unchanged.
Which percentage increase, if any, is required to the magnitudes of Q and R for the forces to be
once again in equilibrium?
% increase in % increase in
magnitude of Q magnitude of R
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 Page 3 of 20
A 10 10
B 0 10
C 10 2 10 2
D 10 10 2
Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2026 9702/12/M/J/26 [Turn over
