Going through A Level Physics revision in 2026 doesn’t have to be a challenging experience. It has become very important at this time to learn and use the proper revision methods through the updated exam formats, very complex problem-solving questions, and little time for revision. Mixt Academy guide lays out practical and organized methods for the core concepts, formulas being applied confidently, and exam mistakes being avoided.
The students will be consuming the effective revision techniques along with the subject-specific tools and the expert tips that are specially designed to enhance their accuracy and confidence. No matter if you are targeting a consistency improvement or an A/A* grade, this blog will support you in making each revision session fruitful.
Wondering how many exam papers you’ll actually sit for? Here’s our quick breakdown: How many A Level Physics papers are there? For Edexcel A Level Physics, AQA, and OCR, students will have three written exams. CIE, on the other hand, has a different structure of exams. You will take three papers at AS level and two more to complete A Level.
In the exams, you will encounter various types of questions. Among them are multiple-choice questions (which may be more difficult than they look), short-answer questions like definitions, and longer questions where you need to express your thoughts clearly. Some long questions are more written ones, while others demand calculations or a mixture of both.
Your physics A-Level specification should be the starting point for all your revision. It clearly outlines every topic and sub-topic you could be tested on, as well as which exam papers they appear in.
Use the specification to plan your revision and monitor how far you’ve progressed. Turning it into a checklist can be especially helpful mark off each topic once you feel confident with it.
Try revising linked topics together, such as forces and motion or gravitational and electric fields, to build a stronger understanding. Finally, focus more time on areas that are worth higher marks or show up often in past exam questions.
A Level Physics includes a large amount of content, which can feel challenging if you try to revise it all at once. Splitting the A Level Physics syllabus into smaller, clearly defined topics makes revision easier to manage and helps you stay focused.
Begin with core areas such as mechanics, electricity, and waves. Each of these topics is made up of smaller sections that you can study one by one and mark off as you go. It’s best to concentrate on one topic at a time, even if it feels difficult, to build confidence and avoid confusion.
For each topic, use a simple three-step method:
At A Level, Physics still involves memorising formulas and definitions, but it’s much easier to remember them if you truly understand the concepts behind them. Memorising without understanding often leads to mistakes, especially when the same symbol can mean different things in different contexts.
For example, in the ideal gas law , p represents pressure, while in the momentum formula , p represents momentum. Understanding the meaning behind each formula helps you see how both relate to force, even though they describe different physical ideas.
When learning a new topic, start with the core concepts. Ask yourself questions: What is a gravitational field, and how does it work? Why does a bulb light up in a circuit? How do waves interfere? Try explaining the answers to someone else if you can’t, there are gaps in your understanding that need revisiting.
Visual tools can make abstract ideas easier to grasp. Draw force diagrams, sketch electric field lines, or plot motion and energy graphs.
Calculations make up a significant part of A Level Physics roughly 40% of your marks so being confident with maths is essential. You’ll need to rearrange A Level Physics equations/formulas. Work with powers, roots, and logarithms, and apply trigonometry in real physics problems.
But physics calculations are more than just maths. You might rearrange an equation perfectly, but if you choose the wrong formula, you won’t earn any marks. The key skill is understanding the question and identifying which formula to use. For example, if a question asks for the speed of a wave on a string, you need to know whether to use or some other formula it’s not just about plugging numbers in.
The only way to get really good at this is to practise regularly. Work through lots of past-paper questions, try problems of different types, and review your mistakes. Over time, recognising the right formula and method will become second nature.
To understand exactly what A Level Physics involves, including topics, exam structure, and difficulty, check out our detailed guide: “What is A Level Physics? Exam Structure, Topics, Difficulty & Revision Tips”.
Firstly, the syllabus is broad. You study a wide range of topics such as mechanics, electricity, waves, thermal physics, and nuclear physics. Each area comes with its own formulas, theories, and problem-solving techniques.
Secondly, physics relies heavily on maths. You’re expected to rearrange equations, work with logarithms and trigonometry, and apply mathematical skills accurately within exam questions.
Lastly, many concepts are highly abstract. Ideas like quantum physics, electromagnetic induction, and particle physics are hard to visualise, making them more challenging to understand fully.
Wondering, “Is A Level Physics hard?” Mixt Academy’s online professional tutors make complex topics easier to understand and guide you towards achieving top
Past papers are one of the best tools for revising A Level Physics because they give you a clear idea of the types of questions you’ll face in the exam. When you start, try older past papers without worrying about the time—focus on understanding the physics and solving the problems correctly. As the exams approach, switch to recent papers and time yourself. This helps you practice working under exam conditions and improves your time management.
Additionally, reviewing past papers can help you understand the A Level Physics grade boundaries, as it allows you to see what kinds of answers are needed to secure high marks. Always check your answers against the mark scheme. It helps you understand exactly what examiners are looking for in a top-scoring answer. By learning the marking style, you can shape your answers to earn the maximum marks.
Simply reading your revision A Level Physics notes isn’t enough to remember everything for A Level Physics. To really lock in your knowledge, you need methods that actively challenge your memory, like self-testing and spaced revision.
Self-testing means quizzing yourself instead of just rereading notes. Use flashcards, try practice questions, or explain concepts out loud to check your understanding. Spaced revision is about revisiting topics regularly over time. Rather than cramming, go back to what you studied last week or last month this makes your memory much stronger.
Another helpful trick is to mix different topics in a single revision session. This approach, called mixing topics, helps your brain link ideas and improves your ability to recall information during exams. Practising like this will make remembering formulas, definitions, and concepts much easier under pressure.
Practical skills are a key part of your A Level Physics grade, so it’s essential to prepare for them carefully. Start by reviewing all the required practicals you’ve done during the course. Make sure you understand the methods, equipment, safety rules, and familiar sources of error for each experiment.
You should also be confident in handling experimental data this includes recording results clearly, analysing data, drawing graphs, calculating errors, and evaluating your findings. It’s essential to understand concepts like accuracy vs precision and how they affect results.
Finally, think about how experiments could be improved. Common improvements include taking repeat readings, using more precise equipment, or changing the method to reduce errors. Practising these skills will help you tackle practical questions confidently in the exam.
With a trusted online tutoring platform plan like this, your revision becomes organised, purposeful, and much more effective helping you reach those A/A* grades in 2026.
Physics takes time to understand fully, so begin serious revision at least 3–4 months before your exams. Spreading your study over several months helps concepts sink in and reduces stress.
Spend part of your time revising key theories, formulas, and definitions, and the rest applying them through exam-style questions. A good split is roughly 40% learning, 60% practicing—this turns knowledge into skill.
Alternate between topics during a session and include short breaks or mini-sessions on other subjects to stay fresh. Mixing topics also helps your brain make connections between ideas.
Don’t just study a topic once come back to tricky areas multiple times. Revisiting topics strengthens your memory and builds confidence.
Focus on completing small, achievable targets each day. It’s far better to make steady progress than to aim too high and get stressed.
Revision is only part of the battle performing well on exam day is just as important.
Most top-performing students spend around 3–4 hours per week on Physics outside of lessons, gradually increasing this as exams approach. The key is consistency over intensity regular daily revision is far more effective than occasional long sessions.
Topics like Mechanics and Electricity generally carry the most marks across exam boards. Within these areas, pay extra attention to forces and motion, electrical circuits, and energy. That said, every topic in the specification can appear on the paper, so it’s important not to skip any section.
Regular practice is essential. Start with simple substitutions and gradually tackle multi-step problems. Focus on understanding the concepts behind formulas instead of memorising them—this helps you apply the right approach even in unfamiliar questions.
Make formula sheets or flashcards for each topic. Include both the formula and what each symbol represents (for example, , where is momentum, is mass, and is velocity). Practice rearranging formulas to solve for different variables. When revising a topic, try writing down all the formulas you remember and check that you understand each symbol and its meaning.
Mixt Academy is a global online tutoring platform that connects students with expert IGCSE, GCSE, and A-Level tutors for one-to-one learning. With flexible scheduling, personalized lesson plans, and experienced teachers from top curricula, Mixt Academy helps students strengthen concepts, improve exam skills, and achieve higher grades with confidence.
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