Thinking about studying Physics at A Level? Great shout. This subject could open up lots of doors in your future studies and career. But is Physics A Level hard?
Well, it can be a challenging subject, but it’s often a challenge worth taking. Here’s the lowdown.
Psst! Finding a physics tutor is a great way to make sure you can keep up with your A Level class and reach your full potential in the exams.
Is A Level Physics hard?
Yes, A Level Physics is hard and can be a big jump up from GCSE.
But don’t forget, it’s supposed to be!
After all, ‘A Level’ stands for ‘Advanced Level.’
With that in mind, these qualifications are designed to cover more complex and in-depth material than what you were exposed to at GCSE.
That said, the pass rate for A Level Physics tends to be slightly lower than average (although only by a tad!).
In 2024, 95.3% of A Level Physics students got a grade E or above (according to FFT Education Datalab) – compared to 97.2% across all subjects.
How hard is A Level Physics?
Every learner is different. So, it’s impossible to say for sure how hard you’ll find A Level Physics.
However, you’ll need to be able to wrap your head around many scientific theories, and you’ll also need strong maths skills.
It’s this combination that can make physics challenging for many learners.
At GCSE, you might have been able to get away with simply memorising scientific facts and formulas.
However, at A Level, you’ll need to fully understand the ‘why’ behind each scientific theory.
This is because you’ll need to be able to explain abstract concepts, decide which formula applies to which problem and apply your knowledge to unfamiliar situations. In some cases, you’ll even have to come up with your own formula to solve a problem!
Another thing that can make Physics A Level tricky is the way that each topic builds on the previous one.
Essentially, you’ll be exposed to more and more formulas as the course goes on, and many of the new formulas will be derived from the previous ones. This means you’ll need to be completely up-to-date with your learning to get your head around them – otherwise, you’ll need to backtrack which can make it easy to fall behind.
With this in mind, we’d recommend having at least a grade 6 in GCSE Physics if you want to study the subject at A Level.
We’d also strongly recommend taking A Level Maths alongside it. This way, you’ll have a strong foundation in maths to lean on.
And remember, our handpicked A Level Physics tutors can help to explain any challenging concepts in a way that clicks for you, to make sure you can keep up with your class.
How hard is Physics A Level compared to chemistry or biology?
If you’re deciding between the science subjects, you might be wondering how physics compares to chemistry or biology for difficulty.
Well, there’s not much in it if you look at pass rates.
Here’s the proportion of students that achieved each grade for A Level Physics, Chemistry and Biology in 2024.
| Physics | Chemistry | Biology | |
| A* | 11.3% | 9.8% | 9.1% |
| A or above | 31.9% | 32.7% | 27.7% |
| C or above | 69.7% | 73.5% | 69.8% |
| E or above | 95.3% | 95.6% | 95.5% |
Grade E is the minimum for a pass at A Level.
So, as you can see, all three sciences are pretty similar when it comes to pass rates.
Meanwhile, Physics gets the highest proportion of A*s, showing that there’s good potential to do well in this subject.
However, the difference isn’t high enough to look at that alone when you’re deciding which of the sciences to take at A Level.
Instead, you’re better off considering which of these subjects most closely matches your skill set and future aspirations.
Read our guide to how hard A Level Chemistry is for more help making your decision.
Is Physics A Level harder than maths?
If you look at pass rates alone, then yes – Physics A Level is harder than maths.
For comparison, here’s the proportion of students who received each grade in these subjects in 2024.
| Physics | Maths | |
| A* | 11.3% | 16.9% |
| A or above | 31.9% | 42% |
| C or above | 69.7% | 76.7% |
| E or above | 95.3% | 96.1% |
As you can see, a higher proportion of students pass and reach the highest grades in A Level Maths.
However, this may be in part because only students who have a certain aptitude for maths choose to take the subject at A Level.
On the other hand, students taking A Level Physics may not realise how mathematical the course is.
Having strong mathematical skills is essential to do well in this subject, so we’d always recommend taking A Level Maths alongside A Level Physics.
Head over to our guide on how hard A Level Maths is to learn more about it.
How to pass A Level Physics
A Level Physics is challenging, but there are definitely some things you can do to increase your chances of doing well in this subject.
Here are our top tips for how to pass Physics A Level with flying colours.
Work on your maths skills
We keep banging on about maths skills, but they’re essential if you want to pass A Level Physics.
You’ll need to not only memorise the formulas you come across, but be able to recognise which applies to each problem you face, and be able to apply them to unfamiliar situations.
Taking A Level Maths alongside A Level Physics is a great way to make sure you have the strong mathematical foundation you need to succeed.
Review each lesson afterwards
As we’ve touched upon already, each topic builds on the previous one in A Level Physics. This means it’s essential to stay up-to-date with your learning.
Taking 10 minutes to review what you’ve learned after each lesson – whether it’s that evening or at the end of the week – can help.
Not only will it remind you of how to solve each problem, but you’ll also be able to spot any weaker areas you need help with before your class moves on to harder territory. Which brings us onto…
Ask for help
Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness!
If there’s anything you’re struggling to wrap your head around, the best thing you can do is get help sooner rather than later. This way, you can get your questions answered and catch up with the rest of the class.
Our handpicked A Level Physics tutors can help to demystify any complex scientific theories and break down tricky formulas so that you can get back on track – even if it means going back to basics.
Practise!
You know the saying practice makes perfect? Well, it’s absolutely true when it comes to A Level Physics!
Remember, this course requires you to not just learn the content, but be able to apply it in new situations.
With that in mind, the more time you can spend answering practice questions and trying your hand at past papers, the more confident you’ll become.
Start your A Level Physics revision early
It’s never too early to start revising for your A Level Physics exams.
Rather than leaving it until a few months (or even weeks!) before your exams start, revising consistently throughout the year will give you the best results.
Plus, it will be way less stressful!
Believe in yourself
A Level Physics is a big jump up from GCSE – but everyone is in the same boat!
So, don’t beat yourself up if it takes a little while for you to adjust to the new workload.
Instead, trust that with perseverance, hard work and the right support behind you, you can achieve your goals.
Is Physics A Level worth it?
Yes! Physics A Level may be hard, but it’s definitely worth it for the right student.
While it’s always been an important subject, in today’s era of digital transformation it’s become absolutely vital.
Here are just a few reasons why taking physics for A Level is so worthwhile.
1. Learn to problem solve
Studying A Level Physics will help you to develop valuable skills like problem-solving, critical thinking and logical reasoning.
These will stand you in good stead whatever you go on to do in the future.
2. Gateway to higher education
Physics is a facilitating subject, which means it’s highly regarded by universities.
With that in mind, doing well in physics can open up doors to a range of options in your future studies.
3. Career opportunities
Qualifications in physics can help your child to excel in lots of different fields, especially in today’s era of digital transformation.
We’re talking about careers ranging from STEM to engineering, criminology to IT – and that’s just the start!
4. Develop everyday skills
Whatever path you decide to follow, you’ll use maths and science skills every day.
That includes tasks like budgeting, understanding mortgage rates… and even cooking!
5. Boost self esteem
Wrapping your head around difficult mathematical and scientific concepts can help to boost your confidence and self-esteem.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that maths is too hard, or that not everyone can do science!
6. Complement other subjects
Chemistry perfectly complements other A Level subject choices like maths, chemistry and biology.
But it can also add another string to your bow if you want to pursue subjects like English or languages. After all, pairing these A Levels with a subject that relies on strong analytical and problem-solving skills will show that you’re a well-rounded individual with diverse talents.
7. Enjoy your studies!
Last but not least, don’t forget to think about what you enjoy!
If you like understanding how the world works, wrapping your head around abstract concepts and working your way logically through problem-solving situations, A Level Physics is likely to be right up your street.
Find a tutor to bring A Level Physics to life
A Level Physics can be a hard subject, but it can also be incredibly enriching and rewarding.
To give yourself the best chance of passing with flying colours, why not find a physics tutor to support you every step of the way?
An A Level Physics tutor will give you one-on-one attention you won’t get at college, to help you hone your skills and wrap your head around any concepts you’re struggling to get the hang of.
From week-by-week plans to practice exams, they’ll tailor their teaching to suit your strengths, weaknesses and learning style, and help you reach your full potential.
Browse expert, vetted tutors, message free, and book instantly.
FAQs
Is Physics A Level harder than chemistry?
No, A Level Physics and Chemistry are pretty comparable when it comes to difficulty level.
Although slightly more students tend to get a grade A or above in chemistry, a higher proportion get A*s in physics.
Is A Level Physics harder than GCSE?
Yes, A Level Physics is a lot harder than GCSE. You’ll cover a broader range of topics in more depth.
Plus, you’ll need to gain a full understanding of the ‘why’ behind scientific theories, so that you can apply them to unfamiliar scenarios.
Is it easy to get an A in Physics A level?
No, it isn’t easy to get an A in Physics A Level. However a higher proportion of students tend to get a grade A or above in Physics than they do on average across all subjects.
In 2024, 31.9% of Physics A Level students got a grade A or above. This is compared to 27.8% of students across all subjects (according to FFT Education Datalab).
How many people fail A Level in physics?
In 2024, 4.7% of students failed A Level Physics, meaning they didn’t manage to get at least an E grade.
What is the hardest A Level subject?
The hardest A Level subject will be different for everyone, as it all depends on each student’s aptitude, work ethic and way of learning.
That said, Further Maths A Level is often regarded as the hardest subject, as it’s designed to be even harder than A Level Maths. Head over to our guide on how hard Further Maths A Level is to learn more.
What is the hardest topic in Physics A Level?
The hardest topic will depend on your personal preferences and skill set.
However, electricity, magnetism and Newtonian mechanics are all difficult to understand yet crucial for building foundational physics knowledge!
