The Extended tier (Papers 2 and 4) gives access to grades A* to E. Paper 4 is the main written paper: 1 hour 15 minutes, 80 marks. It tests the full syllabus, including Extended-only content.
What Extended adds
Extended candidates must learn everything in the Core syllabus plus additional topics. The main additions are:
Forces and motion:
- Momentum calculations (p = mv)
- Impulse (F x t = change in momentum)
- Conservation of momentum in collisions and explosions
Thermal physics:
- Pressure and volume relationship for gases (Boyle’s law)
- Pressure and temperature relationship for gases
Waves:
- Snell’s law (n = sin i / sin r)
- Critical angle calculation (sin c = 1/n)
- Thin converging lens ray diagrams and image properties
Electricity:
- Potential divider circuits
- Transformer calculations (Vs/Vp = Ns/Np, VpIp = VsIs)
- Logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR) and truth tables
Nuclear physics:
- Nuclear fission and fusion
- Nuclear equations (balancing nucleon and proton numbers)
Skills required for Paper 4
Paper 4 expects more than recall. You need to:
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Apply knowledge to new situations. The question may describe an experiment or device you have not seen before and ask you to explain it using physics principles.
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Construct extended answers. 6-mark questions require well-organised, detailed responses using correct terminology.
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Perform multi-step calculations. Some questions require you to combine two or more equations. For example: calculate the force using F = ma, then use the force to find the pressure using p = F/A.
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Interpret data. Questions may give you a table or graph and ask you to describe trends, calculate gradients, or draw conclusions.
Preparation timeline
3 months before: finish learning all Extended content. Use the syllabus as a checklist.
2 months before: begin topic-by-topic past paper practice. Focus on Extended-only topics first, since these are newer to you.
1 month before: start timed full papers. Aim to complete at least 4 full Paper 4s under timed conditions.
Final 2 weeks: review your error log. Focus revision on the topics where you consistently lose marks.
Target scores
To achieve an A*: aim for 70+ out of 80 on Paper 4. This requires consistently strong performance across all topics.
To achieve an A: aim for 60+ out of 80.
To achieve a B: aim for 50+ out of 80.
These are approximate thresholds and vary between exam sessions depending on the grade boundaries set by Cambridge.
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