A-Level Physics for Private Candidates
A-Level Physics can be sat as a private candidate, but it needs planning. The grade comes from three written papers alone — yet the twelve required practicals are examined inside those papers, and the separately reported practical endorsement is something several university courses ask for.
Specification code
7408
Awarding body
AQA
Entry fee
£380 – £390
Coursework / NEA
Practical endorsement (12 required practicals)
Can you take A-Level Physics as a private candidate?
Nothing is submitted for marking, but two separate things follow from the practicals. Questions about them carry at least 15% of the written marks, and the practical endorsement is reported separately on the certificate — which some university offers require.
Candidates retaking for an engineering or physics offer, and home-educated students. Because of the endorsement, entries need arranging earlier than for a written-only subject.
Requirements verified against the awarding body on 7 September 2026 —private candidate guidance ·specification
How is A-Level Physics assessed?
A-Level Physics (7408) is assessed by 3 written papers, with no coursework to submit. You sit all of them in the same exam series, at the same tier.
| Paper | Length | Marks | Weighting | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 2h | 85 | 34% | |
| Paper 2 | 2h | 85 | 34% | |
| Paper 3 | 2h | 80 | 32% | Section A 45 marks; Section B option 35 marks |
Do you have to do the Practical endorsement assessment?
Yes — it is required. Complete the twelve required practical activities under supervision and be assessed against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria (CPAC).
It does not affect your final grade
Reported separately on the certificate as a Pass, or as not classified. AQA states that A-level grades are based only on marks from written exams — but a number of university courses make a Pass in the endorsement a condition of the offer.
What do the required practicals mean for a private candidate?
12
required practical activities
15%+
of total marks draw on them
The twelve required practicals are not submitted, but at least 15% of the written marks assess practical skills. A candidate who has only read about them is answering those questions blind.
Physics entry fees
Physics (Retake)
7408 · AQA
£390
Physics A (Retake)
H556 · OCR
£380
Fees cover the awarding body entry, invigilation at the centre and processing of your results. See the full fees list or check entry deadlines to avoid late charges.
Physics questions from private candidates
Can I take A-Level Physics as a private candidate?
+
Yes. The written papers are straightforward to enter. The decision to make early is whether you also need the practical endorsement, because the assessed sessions must be arranged in advance and cannot be added later.
How is A-Level Physics assessed?
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Three written papers of two hours each: Papers 1 and 2 are 85 marks and 34% each, and Paper 3 is 80 marks and 32%, made up of a 45-mark Section A and a 35-mark optional Section B.
Does the practical endorsement affect my grade?
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No. AQA states that A-level grades are based only on marks from written exams, and the endorsement appears alongside the grade as a separately reported result. Whether you need it depends on the courses you are applying to.
What happens if I skip the practicals?
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You can still sit the papers and be awarded a grade, with the endorsement not classified. But at least 15% of the marks assess practical skills, so skipping the practicals costs marks in the written exams as well as the endorsement itself.
Other A-Level subjects
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