Cambridge O Level Physics (5054)

We revise our qualifications regularly to make sure that they continue to meet the needs of learners, schools and higher education institutions around the world and reflect current thinking. We have updated this syllabus and all assessment materials so they are clearer and more consistent across the three sciences. This is helpful for teachers who are teaching more than one science syllabus, and students who will enjoy a more coherent experience across each science. Please see the 2023-2025 syllabus document for full details on the changes.

What are the main changes to the syllabus?

• updated the learning objectives to demonstrate the depth you should teach each topic. The wording looks different in many places, but the teaching content remains largely the same
• updated the topic structure to make sure topics and sub-topics are clearly linked
• removed and added topics; including the new addition of space physics and momentum, making sure that the teaching time is still within the guided learning hours
• included a new section on the language of measurement
  
• included a list of mathematical requirements and a list of electrical symbols to support teaching and learning.
  

What are the main changes to the assessment?

• We have increased the number of marks in Paper 2 and removed Section B (optional questions).
• We have increased the number of marks and decreased the duration in Paper 3. There are no separate sections to this paper and the paper includes a planning question.
  
• We have increased the number of marks in Paper 4. This paper now has a similar structure to Paper 3, making sure there is consistency between the two papers that assess practical skills, while still not requiring any experiments to be performed. The planning question will be common to Paper 3 and Paper 4.

When do these changes take place?

The updated syllabus is for examination from June 2023 onwards. Please see the 2023–2025 syllabus above for full details.

Support

We are developing a comprehensive range of materials to help you teach the updated syllabus. These resources will be available from September 2020 onwards (before first teaching) through our School Support Hub and include:

• Scheme of work
• Learner guide
• Teacher guide
• Specimen Paper Answers
• Resource Plus update
  
• Example Candidate Responses (after first examination).

Training

Face-to-face and online training will be available. For up-to-date information, visit our Events and training calendar.

Endorsed resources