GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE A (GATEWAY SCIENCE) — Actual May 2025 PAST PAPER:
Physics (Foundation Tier) All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J250/05]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Combined Science A (Gateway Science) May 2025 Physics (Foundation Tier) Paper (OCR
J250/05) integrates the complete official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to provide a clear
and structured revision resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of fundamental physics
concepts, including forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, and practical investigation skills.
Candidates are required to recall key principles, apply knowledge to familiar situations, interpret data, and
communicate scientific explanations accurately. By presenting each question alongside its marking criteria,
this merged resource clarifies examiner expectations, highlights the level of reasoning and accuracy required
for high-band responses, and guides students in producing structured, precise answers. This integrated
format supports targeted revision, reinforces core physics concepts, and prepares students thoroughly for the
2026 OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway Science) Foundation Tier Physics examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this section.
Write your answer to each question in the box provided.
1 What is the best apparatus to measure the length of a school corridor?
A 30 cm ruler
B Metre ruler
C Protractor
D Tape measure
Your answer [1]
2 A box is at rest on flat ground.
Which diagram shows the correct direction of the normal contact force acting on the box?
A B C D
Your answer [1]
3 A runner increases their velocity from 0 m / s to 8 m / s in 2 s.
What is their acceleration?
change in velocity
Use the equation: acceleration =
time
2
A 0.25 m / s
B 0.33 m / s2
C 3.0 m / s2
D 4.0 m / s2
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
4 What is an ammeter used to measure?
A Charge
B Current
C Potential difference
D Resistance
Your answer [1]
5 mass
Density can be calculated using the equation: density =
volume
Which row of the table is correct?
Mass (kg) Volume (m3) Density (kg / m3)
A 6.0 3.0 2.0
B 6.0 3.0 3.0
C 6.0 3.0 9.0
D 6.0 3.0 18.0
Your answer [1]
6 A 40 V power supply transfers 10 C of charge.
What is the energy transferred?
Use the equation: energy transferred = charge × potential difference
A 0.25 J
B 4.00 J
C 400 J
D 4000 J
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
7 The diagram shows an aeroplane moving forwards, looking from above.
There is a large forward force from its engines.
There is also a smaller sideways force from the wind, blowing to the right.
Which is the correct free body force diagram? (Ignore all other forces acting on the aeroplane.)
A B C D
Your answer [1]
8 Quantities such as distance, speed and velocity can be a scalar quantity or a vector quantity.
Which row of this table is correct?
Distance Speed Velocity
A scalar vector scalar
B vector scalar vector
C scalar scalar vector
D vector vector scalar
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
Physics (Foundation Tier) All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J250/05]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Combined Science A (Gateway Science) May 2025 Physics (Foundation Tier) Paper (OCR
J250/05) integrates the complete official examination paper with its detailed mark scheme to provide a clear
and structured revision resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of fundamental physics
concepts, including forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, and practical investigation skills.
Candidates are required to recall key principles, apply knowledge to familiar situations, interpret data, and
communicate scientific explanations accurately. By presenting each question alongside its marking criteria,
this merged resource clarifies examiner expectations, highlights the level of reasoning and accuracy required
for high-band responses, and guides students in producing structured, precise answers. This integrated
format supports targeted revision, reinforces core physics concepts, and prepares students thoroughly for the
2026 OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway Science) Foundation Tier Physics examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this section.
Write your answer to each question in the box provided.
1 What is the best apparatus to measure the length of a school corridor?
A 30 cm ruler
B Metre ruler
C Protractor
D Tape measure
Your answer [1]
2 A box is at rest on flat ground.
Which diagram shows the correct direction of the normal contact force acting on the box?
A B C D
Your answer [1]
3 A runner increases their velocity from 0 m / s to 8 m / s in 2 s.
What is their acceleration?
change in velocity
Use the equation: acceleration =
time
2
A 0.25 m / s
B 0.33 m / s2
C 3.0 m / s2
D 4.0 m / s2
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
4 What is an ammeter used to measure?
A Charge
B Current
C Potential difference
D Resistance
Your answer [1]
5 mass
Density can be calculated using the equation: density =
volume
Which row of the table is correct?
Mass (kg) Volume (m3) Density (kg / m3)
A 6.0 3.0 2.0
B 6.0 3.0 3.0
C 6.0 3.0 9.0
D 6.0 3.0 18.0
Your answer [1]
6 A 40 V power supply transfers 10 C of charge.
What is the energy transferred?
Use the equation: energy transferred = charge × potential difference
A 0.25 J
B 4.00 J
C 400 J
D 4000 J
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
7 The diagram shows an aeroplane moving forwards, looking from above.
There is a large forward force from its engines.
There is also a smaller sideways force from the wind, blowing to the right.
Which is the correct free body force diagram? (Ignore all other forces acting on the aeroplane.)
A B C D
Your answer [1]
8 Quantities such as distance, speed and velocity can be a scalar quantity or a vector quantity.
Which row of this table is correct?
Distance Speed Velocity
A scalar vector scalar
B vector scalar vector
C scalar scalar vector
D vector vector scalar
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
