The Unit 6 practical skills paper: what changes at A2

What the paper is

• 1 hour 20 minutes, 50 marks, all questions compulsory; at least 20 marks for mathematics at Level 2 or above; calculators allowed.
• Contexts come from the A2 core practicals (9 to 16) and A2 physics, but everything from Unit 3 is assumed. Examiners advise revising WPH13 content before sitting WPH16.

The three skill areas at A2

• Planning (6.3): as in Unit 3, but you must identify the most appropriate apparatus, with details such as dimensions, ranges and resolution, discuss calibration and say how the data will be used.
• Implementation and measurements (6.4): you are given partial details of an experiment and comment on improvements, readings, ranges, significant figures and units, and identify inconsistent readings (for example a point off the line of best fit).
• Analysis (6.5): calculations, graphs including log graphs, determining relationships and constants, using the terms precision, accuracy and sensitivity, and compounding percentage uncertainties correctly (Unit 3 states that students are not expected to compound them, so this is new).

Raised expectations

• At A2, 'check for and correct zero error' is expected whenever calipers or micrometers come up.
• Log graphs: correct log expansion, explicit comparison with y = mx + c, log values to a consistent number of decimal places (usually 3), axis labels like log (L / W).
• Comparisons with accepted values use limits from your own result's percentage uncertainty.
• 'Show that' answers need one more significant figure than the value given; rounding intermediate values is penalised.

Worked example

A Unit 6 question gives T = 2π sqrt(m/k) and asks how a graph could be used to find k. What does a full answer contain?

1. Rearrange: T² = (4π²/k) m
2. Compare with y = mx (+ c), writing the equation out: y = T², x = m, gradient = 4π²/k, intercept 0.
3. State the graph: plot T² against m; k = 4π² / gradient.

Answer: Rearrangement, explicit comparison with y = mx + c, and how k follows from the gradient

Check yourself

1. Which skill is assessed in Unit 6 but not in Unit 3?
   • Plotting and analysing logarithmic graphs
   • Calculating a mean
   • Choosing an instrument by its resolution
   • Plotting a straight-line graph
   Show answer

   Plotting and analysing logarithmic graphs. Specification 6.5 adds log graphs; the others are already in Unit 3.

2. How does Unit 6 treat the skills from Unit 3?
   • They are not tested
   • Only the safety content is reused
   • They are assumed and can be tested again
   • They are tested only in planning questions
   Show answer

   They are assumed and can be tested again. Examiners advise candidates to revise WPH13 content for WPH16.

3. What does specification 6.4 mean by an 'inconsistent reading'?
   • A reading that does not fit the pattern, such as a point well off the line of best fit
   • A reading with too many significant figures
   • A reading taken with a different instrument
   • A reading of zero
   Show answer

   A reading that does not fit the pattern, such as a point well off the line of best fit. Identifying a point that does not follow the trend is a named Unit 6 skill.

4. At A2, what extra detail is expected when you choose apparatus in a plan?
   • The price of each item
   • The manufacturer
   • Only the name of the instrument
   • Specific details such as dimensions, range and resolution
   Show answer

   Specific details such as dimensions, range and resolution. 6.3 asks for the most appropriate apparatus with details such as dimensions.

5. When describing the use of digital calipers in a Unit 6 answer, which technique do examiners specifically expect at A2?
   • Using the ratchet
   • Checking for and correcting zero error
   • Stacking several objects together
   • Reading at an angle
   Show answer

   Checking for and correcting zero error. Zero-error correction is expected at A2 for calipers and micrometers.

6. A Unit 6 'show that the Young modulus is about 14 GPa' calculation gives 13.86 GPa on a calculator. Which final answer is best?
   • 14 GPa
   • 13.86000 GPa
   • 10 GPa
   • 13.9 GPa
   Show answer

   13.9 GPa. 'About 14' has 2 s.f., so give 3 s.f. Examiners also penalise excessive figures.

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Sources

• Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level in Physics specification (XPH11/YPH11), Issue 3
• Pearson qualifications: International Advanced Levels Physics (2018)
• Pearson examiners' report: IAL Physics WPH16/01, June 2024
• Pearson examiners' report: IAL Physics WPH16/01, October 2024
• Pearson examiners' report: IAL Physics WPH16/01, June 2023

Last updated 8 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.