Difficulty of Physics A-Level

I have decided to do Physics A-Level and recently discovered many things about the subject, firstly, its extremely difficult. For my first (half topic test) many students doing Physics A-Level in my year achieved an average of 40% in this test. I got 28%. Furthermore, I recently discovered last year A-Level students in my school, there were only 2-3 students with an A*.

Moreover, some students, who I would say are more academically smarter than me, decided to drop Physics recently. All this commotion is making me worried about my future in Physics. I have love and passion for the subject. I will spend endless nights if I have to, to become better. However, I am worried that I will not do well as I wish. For my GCSES I did Double Award Science and got 9-8.

Can someone help me? I am unsure what I am asking but is it worth it dropping it? I mean some side of me says I can do it and get A if I tried my hardest, but I also feel like this is just my ego lying to me. If I were to drop it I would swap for Chemistry but how far behind would I be then?

Thank You if you respond.

(currently my A-Levels are: Physics, Maths, Art, EPQ)

Reply 1

Cosmicaura7

I've done physics for a year and am also doing maths further maths and history alongside it.

In our school, all y13s know that in y12, you have to go through a stage where you're questioning your abilities. It happens to everyone including people who go on to study physics at oxbridge or engineering at imperial etc.

Honestly physics is not for everyone but I do think anyone can get an A in it if they put in the work. If you're aiming for an A*, that is going to require some academic rigour and natural talent but it's by no means impossible.

What I found to help me understand physics content better was to visualise everything in everyday contexts. I started off with mechanics so stuff like moments and that then helped with suvat and momentum and impulse questions. The main reason anyone loves physics is because of the maths though so make sure your calculus and algebraic manipulation skills are very good. You don't use calculus in a level but it's really helpful in understanding the derivation of some equations.

Physics is not easy but everyone knows that so there will be some leniency for an A/A* usually.

Reply 2

ozz_

Hey there. I thought I'd give you my perspective as someone who recently finished their Physics A level and had many similar worries as you.

So like you, I have a massive love for the subject, specifically astrophysics is my passion, however when I began A level physics I found it very hard and was quickly out of my depth. The only thing that pulled me through and kept me going was my love for physics. I changed the way I viewed the subject and spent more time practicing areas I struggled with and at the same time dived into physics books to explore my love for it more, that way as it got trickier, my motivation also increased.

Please never compare yourself to other people, comparison is the thief of joy. Sure they may be 'smarter' than you (even that word is subjective), but what sets you apart clearly is your love for the subject, focus on that! Also everyone struggles with those first few assessments in year 12, that is normal as you adjust to the A level process, once you get into a feel for studying physics and settle into the subject, you will excel, you will be okay.

I achieved an A* on results day this year and in a year I will be going to uni to study physics with astrophysics. My first few assessments in year 12 I got C's and D's and felt very out of my depth. Follow your heart, I promise it will be worth it.

Reply 3

lissaa

Original post by carnaldrax

I have decided to do Physics A-Level and recently discovered many things about the subject, firstly, its extremely difficult. For my first (half topic test) many students doing Physics A-Level in my year achieved an average of 40% in this test. I got 28%. Furthermore, I recently discovered last year A-Level students in my school, there were only 2-3 students with an A*.
Moreover, some students, who I would say are more academically smarter than me, decided to drop Physics recently. All this commotion is making me worried about my future in Physics. I have love and passion for the subject. I will spend endless nights if I have to, to become better. However, I am worried that I will not do well as I wish. For my GCSES I did Double Award Science and got 9-8.
Can someone help me? I am unsure what I am asking but is it worth it dropping it? I mean some side of me says I can do it and get A if I tried my hardest, but I also feel like this is just my ego lying to me. If I were to drop it I would swap for Chemistry but how far behind would I be then?
Thank You if you respond.
(currently my A-Levels are: Physics, Maths, Art, EPQ)

Not A-level, but an IB physics student. My classmates is doing IB physics at HL (while I’m at SL), so I just wanted to share with you his story. On his first test in grade 12 he got like 38 or 40 percent, which was completely devastating after his A*A* (so basically 99) on his IGCSE double award. But he didn’t give up, studied a lot, read books, asked for help from the teacher… And his grade of the end of semester 2 grade 12 physics exam was 96%. And best part— it wasn’t even the subject he put most ours into. All I’m trying to say is, like ppl mentioned above, everyone in high school advanced physics classes struggles at first. But if you’re determined, you’ll get through it and can come out with amazing results. Don’t drop it and don’t doubt your abilities :smile:

Reply 4

carnaldrax

Original post by lissaa

Thank you so much. I just got my results on a Particles Test and go 76% 21/29. Your message and this grade made me want to work harder thank you so much.

Reply 5

lissaa

Original post by carnaldrax

Thank you so much. I just got my results on a Particles Test and go 76% 21/29. Your message and this grade made me want to work harder thank you so much.

That’s amazing, congrats! Idk about your grade boundaries, but that sounds like a great grade already :smile:

Reply 6

TheAlevelMentor

Might be late to the party but huge props for getting a 76%! 🎉 It's normal to feel overwhelmed—you're not alone. I was in the same boat when I first started A-level physics and almost got kicked out of the course, but in the end got an A*. One piece of advice from me to you would be to tackle exam questions early; they’ll boost your confidence. Also, using all the online resources available—videos and revision notes can simplify tricky concepts. Even if you switch to Chemistry I would argue it is just as challenging as Physics, so do what you have a bigger passion for.

Reply 7

Ghostlady

Original post by carnaldrax

Thank you so much. I just got my results on a Particles Test and go 76% 21/29. Your message and this grade made me want to work harder thank you so much.

Thats great you did well in Particles. The eldest is a phd particle physicist (hence why i found your post by searching the word particle lol ) and in year 12 she found physics a challenge but still loved it. She also did Chemistry and she hated organic chemistry. If you like physics as a subject, you are already one step closer to getting those grades because the information you are retaining because you enjoy it. Year 12 exams were not great for her, but a lot of the students were exactly the same. The A'level exams are different to GCSEs, so it takes a while to get used to them by doing plenty of practice papers and knowing what the examiner is looking for in the way of an answer to maximise the amount of points possible.