AQA Physics Equation Sheet: Complete GCSE Guide for Combined Science & Physics

The AQA Physics Equation Sheet is one of the most important documents to receive for the GCSE Physics exam. It contains important equations to help answer calculation questions. If you are studying separate Physics or Combined Science, this Physics equation sheet helps you solve numerical questions with confidence and accuracy. However, students often don’t understand this. Therefore, knowing how and when to use this Physics equation sheet GCSE is just as important as having it. In this guide, we explain what the equation sheet contains, what it does not include, and how to use it in your GCSE exams.

Category: AQA

What is the Physics AQA GCSE Equation Sheet?

AQA Physics equation sheet GCSE layout showing key formulas

The Physics AQA GCSE equation sheet is a formula booklet AQA has for Physics exams. It is given to students taking:

GCSE Physics (Separate Science)
Combined Science: Trilogy
Combined Science: Synergy

This Physics equation sheet GCSE has a couple of selected Physics equations that AQA thinks students do not need to memorise.

Important note:

The equation sheet is different for each exam board. The AQA version cannot be used as a Pearson Edexcel Physics equation sheet or for the OCR exam.

What Does the AQA GCSE Physics Equation Sheet Look Like?

This equation sheet is a booklet that is two pages long and is printed so that students can use it for either exam. It has equations that are:

Printed in words and symbols
Printed in a grouped order for each topic
Printed in a clear format with labelled rows
Printed such that the equations are bold for Higher Tier students only

You will use this same equation sheet for both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Sometimes, AQA will make minor updates to that equation sheet, and you can find the most recent AQA GCSE Physics Equation Sheet on the Mixt Academy website.

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Important Update: Equation Sheets From 2025 Onwards

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Image Text: Labelled sections of the Physics AQA GCSE equation sheet

Alt title: Physics-AQA-GCSE-equation-sheet-mixt-academy

Over the last few years, AQA provided the expanded version of the Equation Sheet for exams due to the division in schools. This version has almost all the equations. Starting from 2025, standard exam arrangements will once again take place. This means:

Students taking GCSE Physics tutor or Combined Science tutor will not be required to memorise the standard formulae/equations for exams in 2025, 2026, and 2027.
An equation sheet will be included as an insert in the exam papers for both Foundation and Higher tiers.

This applies to AQA GCSE Physics (8463) papers 1 and 2, as well as Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) and Synergy (8465).

Why Do You Get a Physics GCSE Equation Sheet?

The aim of the Physics GCSE Equation Sheet is to:

Reduce the burden on memory.
Provide the time and focus to understand the equation and the principle behind it.
Shift focus to the application of the principle rather than the memorisation.

The subject of Physics is not just about memorising equations. It is about:

Using your understanding in context
Analyzing and interpreting
Describing and explaining

The examiners are not interested in knowing if you can memorise and recite equations. They are interested in how you apply them.

Does the Equation Sheet Include All Physics Equations?

The AQA Physics Equation Sheet does not contain all the formulas that are required for the Physics GCSE exams. You will still need to know:

A few equations that some people may consider to be a base level
The units for each of the quantities
The equations can be rearranged, but you will need to know how to do that

The AQA Physics formula sheet will not contain the units, and students are expected to know them already.

Key Example: Power Equation in GCSE Physics

One of the most common exam formulas is the power equation.

Power formula Physics GCSE

Power = Energy ÷ Time

This is also known as the Power equation AQA GCSE. The equation will appear in questions on:

electronic devices
transfer of energy
efficiency
power ratings

Students need to know:

energy = joules (J)
time = seconds (s)
power = watts (W)

Confused by Calculations Like Power, Energy, and Efficiency?

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Using the AQA Physics Combined Science Equation Sheet

Power formula Physics GCSE explained with example

When studying Combined Science, you will reference the AQA Physics Combined Science Equation Sheet, which has fewer equations than the Separate Physics version. Important pieces of information:

Identical layout to Separate Physics
Less complex equations
Contains only the necessary Combined Science material

Make sure you revise using the correct version for your course.

How to Use the Equation Sheet Effectively in Your Exam?

Steps to use the Physics Equation Sheet GCSE AQA properly:

Keep it visible on your desk.
Memorise where each equation is.
Don’t spend time searching during the exam.
Write your workings on the exam paper.
Nothing on the equation sheet will be marked.

To use the sheet to:

Check formulas.
Confirm symbols.
Avoid careless mistakes.

How to Prepare Before the AQA GCSE Physics Exam?

To prepare before exams, use and practice with the equation sheet:

Use it in class.
Use it in revision.
Use it in mock exams.
Print and pin one on your study desk.
Make an annotated revision version (not for exam use).

By exam day, you should know:

Which equations are there?
Where are they?
Which ones are for your tier?

Foundation Tier vs Higher Tier Students

Here is the brief overview of the AQA Physics Equation Sheet for the foundation tier and higher tier students.

Bold equations are for Higher Tier only.
Foundation Tier students can ignore them.
Higher Tier covers grades 6-9.

Always check with your teacher if you are doing Separate Physics or Combined Science, Foundation or Higher Tier.

Learn the AQA Physics Equation Sheet with Mixt Academy

Online GCSE Physics tutoring support using the AQA equation sheet

Struggling to Understand the AQA Physics Equation Sheet?

At Mixt Academy, we offer our help to students by tutoring them on how to understand equations, not just locate them. Our GCSE Physics tutors help students:

Step-by-step, detailed explanations of every equation
Make rearranging equations an easy way
Prepare for AQA exams by solving past paper questions
Develop the confidence they need for both tiers and courses

Mixt Academy provides all the required support to help students get exams ready. If you are using either of these resources, it helps students start their GCSE Physics success journey.

Mastering the AQA Physics Equation Sheet for Exam Success

revision-planner-using-the-GCSE-Physics-equation-sheet-mixt-academy

Learning to use the AQA Physics Equation Sheet effectively can really help you in the exams. But remember that:

Not every equation is included.
No units are given.
Understanding is more important than memorisation.

With the proper support, practice, and expert assistance, you can develop your confidence in Physics. And with the professional online GCSE Physics tutoring in dubai from Mixt Academy, success becomes much easier.

Want to Master the AQA Physics Equation Sheet With Confidence?

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FAQs

What is the AQA Physics equation sheet?

The AQA Physics Equation sheet is an essential part of the GCSE Physics exam. It is provided during the exam for the students so they don’t have to memorise equations. However, they do have to know how to use the equations.

Will students get the equation sheet on the GCSE Physics exam?

Students will receive a blank, unmarked equation sheet before the start of the exam for all AQA GCSE Physics papers.

Does the GCSE AQA Physics equation sheet have all the formulas?

The AQA GCSE Physics equation sheet does not include all the formulas. It includes only a selected number of complex equations. There are other equations and units that still must be learned.

Is the equation sheet for Combined Science and Physics the same?

No, for Combined Science, students get a different AQA Physics Combined Science Equation Sheet, which has fewer equations than the Separate Physics.

Do equations include the units?

No, you must already know the units such as joules (J), watts (W), seconds (s), volts (V), and amperes (A).

What is the power formula in GCSE Physics?

When looking up the power formula Physics GCSE, you will find:
Power = Energy ÷ Time
This is also called the power equation AQA GCSE, and is frequently asked in questions concerning energy and electricity.

Can I write on the equation sheet in the exam?

No, the equation sheet is provided to you during the exam for reference, but it will not be graded. You must do all your work on the exam paper.

Is the same equation sheet used for Paper 1 and Paper 2?

Yes, both GCSE Physics papers provide the same equation sheet.

Are equations in bold for higher tiers only?

Yes, equations that are printed in bold are only for the higher-tier students. Foundation tier students do not need to worry about those.

What is the best way to revise using the equation sheet?

You should know exactly where each formula is located. Therefore, be sure to practice using the equation sheet during lessons, revision sessions, and mock exams.

Mixt Academy

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.