A-Level Physics Grade Calculator
Enter your marks across the three AQA A-Level Physics papers to estimate your grade. Typical recent AQA 7408 boundaries.
| Grade | Marks (out of 250) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A* | 188+ | 75%+ |
| A | 160 – 187 | 64% – 74% |
| B | 135 – 159 | 54% – 63% |
| C | 110 – 134 | 44% – 53% |
| D | 85 – 109 | 34% – 43% |
| E | 60 – 84 | 24% – 33% |
| U | 0 – 59 | 0% – 23% |
Typical recent boundaries for AQA A-Level Physics (7408). A-Level Physics is known for relatively low A* boundaries (often 70–78%).
What's in A-Level Physics?
AQA A-Level Physics (7408) is assessed through three papers totalling 250 marks. Papers 1 and 2 test specific sections of the specification. Paper 3 covers practical skills plus one option topic that schools choose, commonly Astrophysics, Medical Physics, or Engineering Physics. Mathematical fluency is critical, around 40% of marks require Level 3 maths (logarithms, calculus-style reasoning, rearranging complex equations).
Paper 1: Sections 1–5.1 (85 marks)
Particles and radiation, waves, mechanics and materials, electricity. Plus a periodic motion sub-section. Calculation-heavy, expect multi-step questions that combine three or four equations.
Paper 2: Sections 5.2–8 (85 marks)
Further mechanics and thermal physics, fields and their consequences (electric, magnetic, gravitational, capacitance), nuclear physics. Also includes multiple-choice questions (25 marks' worth), a common mark-grabber for students short on time.
Paper 3: Practical + Option (80 marks)
Section A: 45-mark practical skills + data analysis section testing understanding of experiments, uncertainties, and graph interpretation. Section B: 35-mark option topic. Check with your school which option they enter you for, preparation differs significantly between them.
Where A-Level Physics Students Lose Marks
Two patterns dominate the A-Level Physics mark schemes at Think Smart Academy: weak mathematical technique (especially logs and natural exponentials in nuclear and capacitance questions), and failing to quote significant figures correctly in practical questions. Physics is the A-Level where technique differences matter more than knowledge differences, tutoring tends to deliver bigger grade jumps here than in almost any other subject.
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