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Paper 6 styleExtended

Paper 6 style: alternative to practical

Six original questions on experimental technique — taking readings, recording results, plotting and interpreting graphs, and planning investigations — in the style of the Alternative to Practical paper.

Modelled on Cambridge IGCSE Physics Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical). These are original QuizQuip questions written against the 0625 syllabus — not Cambridge past-paper questions.

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Total marks
40
Time
1 h
Format
3 MCQ + 3 structured
Covers
Experimental skills across the 0625 syllabus: measurement, recording, graph work and planning

Set

The paper and mark scheme

Question paper

Paper 6 style practice paper

40 marks · 1 h · 6 pages

3 multiple-choice questions and structured questions with answer lines. Experimental skills across the 0625 syllabus: measurement, recording, graph work and planning.

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Mark scheme

PRO

Paper 6 style practice paper — mark scheme

Answers · Marking points · 4 pages

Model answers with a mark for each creditworthy point — for marking at home or in class.

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Coverage

Topics in this paper

How to use

Work through it like the real exam

  1. 1Print the paper, or open the PDF and write your answers on paper.
  2. 2Set a timer and work without notes — the real thing is timed and closed-book.
  3. 3Mark your work with the mark scheme, one point at a time.
  4. 4Redo every question you lost marks on, then revise that topic.

Preview

The opening questions

Section A: Practical measurements[20 marks]

Answer all questions in the spaces provided. The marks in Section A total 20.

  1. 1

    A student determines the density of a small metal cylinder. The mass, found on a balance, is 178.0 g. The cylinder’s diameter is measured with a rule at three positions: 2.50 cm, 2.52 cm and 2.48 cm. Its length is measured as 5.00 cm.

    1. (a)

      Calculate the average diameter and explain why several readings were taken.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      Show that the volume of the cylinder is about 24.5 cm³. (Volume of a cylinder = πd²L/4.)

      [3]
    3. (c)

      Calculate the density of the metal in g/cm³.

      [1]
  2. 2

    A student measures the resistance of a lamp using the circuit shown: a battery, an ammeter in series with the lamp, a voltmeter across the lamp, and a variable resistor to change the current. The lamp glows dimly at first and brightly at higher currents.

    1. (a)

      State where the ammeter and voltmeter are connected, and why.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      The voltmeter reads 2.0 V and the ammeter reads 0.40 A. Calculate the resistance at this setting.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      The experiment is repeated at higher currents. State and explain how the lamp’s resistance changes, and describe the evidence that shows it.

      [3]
  3. 3

    A student investigates a cooling curve. A heated solid block is allowed to cool and its temperature is recorded every 30 s. The block melts at 48 °C. Part of the results table is shown.

    Cooling results

    Time / s0306090120150180
    Temperature / °C61554848484440
    1. (a)

      State the time interval during which the block was melting, and explain how the table shows it.

      [2]
    2. (b)

      Describe how the rate of cooling before the plateau compares with the rate after it.

      [2]
    3. (c)

      Suggest one improvement to the experiment so that the plateau is shown more clearly.

      [3]
Open the full paper

Revision

Before you sit the paper

  • Revise every topic this paper covers, using the free notes pages.
  • Do the quick quiz on each topic and note where you lose marks.
  • Practise the topical questions with the mark schemes.
  • Read the command words: state, describe, explain, calculate.

Tips

Exam tips

Marks come from key words

  • Give the number of marks’ worth of points the question asks for.
  • Quote the equation, substitute the values, then give the answer with its unit.
  • Check every quantity is in SI units before you substitute.
  • In Paper 6-style questions, write the observation, not the conclusion.

Questions

About the Paper 6 style

What is the Alternative to Practical paper testing?

The same experimental skills as the hands-on practical — taking and recording readings, plotting and reading graphs, identifying errors and improvements, and planning fair investigations — but answered on paper.

How should I answer “suggest an improvement” questions?

Name a concrete change (more repeats, bigger distances, finer scale, insulation, data-logging) and say why it improves the result. A change without a reason rarely scores.

Are these real Cambridge questions?

No. These are original QuizQuip questions written against the 0625 syllabus in the style of the Alternative to Practical paper. We never host or copy Cambridge past-paper questions.

Is QuizQuip connected to Cambridge?

No. Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge are trademarks of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. QuizQuip is independent — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Cambridge. All notes and questions are original QuizQuip material written against the published 0625 syllabus.