GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE A (GATEWAY SCIENCE) — Actual May 2025 PAST PAPER:
Physics (Higher Tier) All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J250/11]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Combined Science A (Gateway Science) May 2025 Physics (Higher Tier) Paper (OCR
J250/11) integrates the full official examination paper with its complete mark scheme to create a focused
and comprehensive revision resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of advanced physics
concepts, including forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, and practical investigation skills.
Candidates are expected to apply knowledge to both familiar and novel situations, interpret and analyse
data, and communicate scientifically accurate explanations. By presenting each question alongside its
marking criteria, the resource clarifies examiner expectations, demonstrates the analytical and evaluative
skills required for high-band responses, and guides students in producing precise, well-structured
answers. This integrated format strengthens conceptual understanding, supports targeted revision, and
prepares students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway Science) Higher
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 A car travels 9000 m in 90 seconds.
What is the car’s speed?
distance travelled
Use the equation: average speed =
time taken
A 0.01 m / s
B 0.1 m / s
C 10 m / s
D 100 m / s
Your answer [1]
2 A lift is stationary 20 m above the ground.
The lift moves upwards until it is now 100 m above the ground.
The lift then remains stationary.
The mass of the lift is 450 kg.
What is the increase in gravitational potential energy of the lift?
Gravitational field strength = 10 N / kg
Use the equation: gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height
A 45.0 J
B 56.3 J
C 360 000 J
D 450 000 J
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
3 A mobile phone is charged for 3 hours.
The mean charging current is 0.15 A.
What is the charge transferred to the mobile phone in this time?
Use the equation: charge flow = current × time
A 0.45 C
B 27 C
C 540 C
D 1620 C
Your answer [1]
4 The graph shows the results for two springs, Spring X and Spring Y, as they are stretched.
25
Spring X
20
Force (N) Spring Y
15
10
5
0
0 5 10 15 20
Extension (cm)
Which observation is correct?
From 0 cm to 2 cm From 0 N to 10 N
A Spring X requires less force Spring Y obeys
to stretch than Spring Y Hooke’s Law
B Spring X requires less force Spring Y does not obey
to stretch than Spring Y Hooke’s Law
C Spring X requires more force Spring Y obeys
to stretch than Spring Y Hooke’s Law
D Spring X requires more force Spring Y does not obey
to stretch than Spring Y Hooke’s Law
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
5 A 2 V power supply is connected to a motor.
250 C passes in 50 s.
How much energy is transferred?
Use the equation: energy transferred = charge × potential difference
A 5J
B 100 J
C 125 J
D 500 J
Your answer [1]
6 A student uses a stopwatch to measure the time it takes for a marble to travel down a ramp
between two markers.
Marker 1
Marble Marker 2
Support Ramp
Floor
Which change will make the results more accurate?
A Asking a second student to operate the stopwatch
B Decreasing the height of the ramp
C Moving the markers closer together
D Starting the stopwatch as soon as the marble is released
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
Physics (Higher Tier) All Assessment Questions & Mark Scheme [OCR J250/11]
Exam Resource Summary
The GCSE (9–1) Combined Science A (Gateway Science) May 2025 Physics (Higher Tier) Paper (OCR
J250/11) integrates the full official examination paper with its complete mark scheme to create a focused
and comprehensive revision resource. This paper assesses students’ understanding of advanced physics
concepts, including forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, and practical investigation skills.
Candidates are expected to apply knowledge to both familiar and novel situations, interpret and analyse
data, and communicate scientifically accurate explanations. By presenting each question alongside its
marking criteria, the resource clarifies examiner expectations, demonstrates the analytical and evaluative
skills required for high-band responses, and guides students in producing precise, well-structured
answers. This integrated format strengthens conceptual understanding, supports targeted revision, and
prepares students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway Science) Higher
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 A car travels 9000 m in 90 seconds.
What is the car’s speed?
distance travelled
Use the equation: average speed =
time taken
A 0.01 m / s
B 0.1 m / s
C 10 m / s
D 100 m / s
Your answer [1]
2 A lift is stationary 20 m above the ground.
The lift moves upwards until it is now 100 m above the ground.
The lift then remains stationary.
The mass of the lift is 450 kg.
What is the increase in gravitational potential energy of the lift?
Gravitational field strength = 10 N / kg
Use the equation: gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height
A 45.0 J
B 56.3 J
C 360 000 J
D 450 000 J
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
, 3
3 A mobile phone is charged for 3 hours.
The mean charging current is 0.15 A.
What is the charge transferred to the mobile phone in this time?
Use the equation: charge flow = current × time
A 0.45 C
B 27 C
C 540 C
D 1620 C
Your answer [1]
4 The graph shows the results for two springs, Spring X and Spring Y, as they are stretched.
25
Spring X
20
Force (N) Spring Y
15
10
5
0
0 5 10 15 20
Extension (cm)
Which observation is correct?
From 0 cm to 2 cm From 0 N to 10 N
A Spring X requires less force Spring Y obeys
to stretch than Spring Y Hooke’s Law
B Spring X requires less force Spring Y does not obey
to stretch than Spring Y Hooke’s Law
C Spring X requires more force Spring Y obeys
to stretch than Spring Y Hooke’s Law
D Spring X requires more force Spring Y does not obey
to stretch than Spring Y Hooke’s Law
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
5 A 2 V power supply is connected to a motor.
250 C passes in 50 s.
How much energy is transferred?
Use the equation: energy transferred = charge × potential difference
A 5J
B 100 J
C 125 J
D 500 J
Your answer [1]
6 A student uses a stopwatch to measure the time it takes for a marble to travel down a ramp
between two markers.
Marker 1
Marble Marker 2
Support Ramp
Floor
Which change will make the results more accurate?
A Asking a second student to operate the stopwatch
B Decreasing the height of the ramp
C Moving the markers closer together
D Starting the stopwatch as soon as the marble is released
Your answer [1]
© OCR 2025
