How parents can help with GCSE physics revision

By Engr. Mehmood Kakar · Updated 15 November 2026

How the exams work

• Two subjects, two routes. Your child takes either GCSE Physics on its own (often called “triple” or separate science) or Combined Science, which covers physics, chemistry and biology together with a little less physics.
• Two tiers. Foundation (grades 1–5) or Higher (grades 4–9). The tier guide explains the difference.
• Papers. On AQA GCSE Physics there are two papers of 1 hour 45 minutes. Other boards are similar; see how the boards compare.
• An equation sheet. Every equation is printed in the exam.
• Required practicals. Students do set experiments in class and are asked about them in the exam. The practicals checklist lists them.

Where marks are won and lost

Because the equations are given, most lost calculation marks come from four things:

1. Choosing the wrong equation.
2. Rearranging it incorrectly.
3. Forgetting to convert units (grams to kilograms, minutes to seconds, km/h to m/s).
4. Not showing the working, so an arithmetic slip loses every mark instead of just one.

Each solver on this site shows all four steps for every equation, so your child can check their own working line by line.

7 ways to help

1. Agree a routine. The same days and times each week; four or five 30–40 minute sessions beat one long one. The 8-week timetable can be printed and stuck on the fridge.
2. Ask them to teach you. “Talk me through this question.” Explaining a step out loud shows quickly whether they understand it.
3. Check the four-line layout. Equation, substitution, answer, unit. You don’t need to know the physics to see whether each line is there.
4. Watch the units. Ask “what unit is that in?” after each answer.
5. Make practice papers happen. A full paper with a timer, then marked with the mark scheme. Schools and exam board websites provide past papers.
6. Use short quizzes. The quick-fire quiz on the homepage takes about a minute and works well at breakfast or in the car.
7. Look after the basics. Sleep, food, breaks and time off matter. A tired student makes careless slips.

Questions to ask your child

• Which equation do you need here, and how did you choose it?
• What units are the numbers in? Do any need changing?
• Can you show me where the equation sheet says that?
• What would you get if you made the most common mistake on this question?
• Which topic would you most like more practice on this week?

If your child is struggling

• Talk to their physics teacher early. Teachers know which topics and question types to focus on and can point to school resources.
• Go back to the basics that every calculation needs: rearranging and units.
• Use the simulation on each solver page: moving the sliders often makes an idea click when the text hasn’t.
• Keep it positive. Small, regular wins (a topic ticked off, a streak in the practice box) build confidence.

Written by Engr. Mehmood Kakar

Physics educator and engineer (MSc Physics, B.Ed, M.Ed) with 8 years of hands-on teaching, from college students to teacher training. About the author · LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)

Checked against the AQA GCSE Physics (8463) specification on 15 November 2026.