# 9702/12 March 2016

> 9702/12 March 2016: 40 questions, 40 marks. Difficulty 0.28, deviation 0.12, algebraic 0.23, text density 0.29. CIE IAL Physics 9702 P1.

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CIE IAL · Physics · 2016 March

This Physics 9702 Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) paper contains 40 questions worth 40 marks. The profile below reports five mark-weighted difficulty and complexity measures, and every question row repeats them. Full question text and mark scheme open in the Interactive Practice Hub.

- CIE IAL
- 9702 P1
- 40 questions
- 40 marks
- Free paper
- [Practise this paper](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393)
- [All 9702 P1 papers](https://www.examsci.com/past-papers/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/)

Core finding

**9702/12 March 2016 is a past paper for CIE IAL Physics 9702 Paper 1 (Multiple Choice), with 40 questions worth 40 marks.** Its mark-weighted Difficulty Measure is 0.28 on a 0.20–0.75 scale, with a Difficulty Deviation of 0.12 and a mark split of 67.5% Easy, 32.5% Medium and 0.0% Hard. Algebraic complexity averages 0.23; text density and modelling average 0.29. All five measures use 40 part-level tags, not candidate results. Every question row below repeats them and opens the Interactive Practice Hub for that question.

## Difficulty & complexity profile

All five measures are mark-weighted and calculated from 40 parts carrying 40 part marks. Difficulty tags cover 40 parts, algebraic tags 40 and text-density tags 40. Tags are internal metadata, not official exam-board ratings.

- **Difficulty Measure**: 0.28 — 0.20–0.75 · nearer Easy
- **Difficulty Deviation**: 0.12 — 0 = uniform; higher = more mixed
- **Difficulty Ratio**: 67.5 / 32.5 / 0.0 — % Easy / Medium / Hard
- **Algebraic Complexity Measure**: 0.23 — 0.20–0.75 · nearer Low
- **Text Density and Modelling Measure**: 0.29 — 0.20–0.75 · nearer Low

Scale: Easy 0.20 · Medium 0.45 · Hard 0.75, and Low 0.20 · Medium 0.45 · High 0.75 for the two complexity measures. [How each band is defined and how the values are calculated →](https://www.examsci.com/guides/difficulty-and-complexity-measures/)

### Definitions and calculation

| Measure | Paper value | Formula |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Difficulty Measure** | 0.28 | Σ(d_i × w_i) / Σw_i, with d = 0.20 / 0.45 / 0.75 |
| **Difficulty Deviation** | 0.12 | √(Σw_i(d_i − μ)^2 / Σw_i) |
| **Difficulty Ratio** | 67.5% Easy / 32.5% Medium / 0.0% Hard | marks in band / all tagged marks |
| **Algebraic Complexity Measure** | 0.23 | Σ(c_i × marks_i) / Σmarks_i, with c = 0.20 / 0.45 / 0.75 |
| **Text Density and Modelling Measure** | 0.29 | Σ(t_i × marks_i) / Σmarks_i, with t = 0.20 / 0.45 / 0.75 |

w_i equals the part marks, except for a Hard part worth 4 or more marks, where w_i = marks^0.75 to offset the accessible starter steps inside long structured questions.

## Question list

Each measure is recalculated from the parts of that question and uses the same weights as the paper profile.

| Question | Topic | Marks | Difficulty Measure | Algebraic Complexity Measure | Text Density and Modelling Measure | Practice |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Q1** FRQ | [1.2 SI units](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/si-units/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=7d94a19e-7f13-4cc0-b83d-d0d941b81bb4&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q2** FRQ | [1.4 Scalars and vectors](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/scalars-and-vectors/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.45 Medium | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=4fe1d8cd-bde0-4087-8ea7-741a6c21b8c6&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q3** FRQ | [1.2 SI units](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/si-units/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=06c1bb8c-a55f-4564-9a32-7ecb0ad9799a&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q4** FRQ | [2.2 Errors and uncertainties](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/errors-and-uncertainties/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=f29bea61-db22-4c7c-b7b7-6ade2b8977e4&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q5** FRQ | [2.1 Measurements](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=34d2b7d8-2156-4a2e-9051-760e5275ce5b&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q6** FRQ | [3.1 Equations of motion](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equations-of-motion/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=621522bd-cda8-4ac8-9331-983ff4b7ff2d&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q7** FRQ | [3.1 Equations of motion](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equations-of-motion/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.45 Medium | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=e692300e-4bfc-403e-9479-e4837a9a741c&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q8** FRQ | [3.1 Equations of motion](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equations-of-motion/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=6860de41-0eee-499d-90b4-1a415510b894&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q9** FRQ | [4.1 Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/momentum-and-newton-s-laws-of-motion/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=8347e54a-f462-4df4-a89a-620ad7dab3ab&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q10** FRQ | [1.4 Scalars and vectors](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/scalars-and-vectors/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=e1ce58e2-c392-40d8-95ae-6224e162ba5d&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q11** FRQ | [4.2 Non-uniform motion](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/non-uniform-motion/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=8ebc113b-2adc-4fdb-8942-2215b87002a5&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q12** FRQ | [5.1 Types of force](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=790346cb-9917-4d0e-9189-c8b6d67b68db&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q13** FRQ | [5.2 Turning effects of forces](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/turning-effects-of-forces/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=ab922512-e493-4188-b8b8-2bf821cae050&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q14** FRQ | [5.4 Density and pressure](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/density-and-pressure/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=f0c3f655-5b4c-4743-87b1-cb9533a58191&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q15** FRQ | [6.4 Power](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=ef92207a-58a4-483c-9806-db5b64caaa5b&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q16** FRQ | [1.1 Physical quantities](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/physical-quantities/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=269be7c9-176d-448b-b333-a934f0c4a511&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q17** FRQ | [6.2 Work and efficiency](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=14c9482b-6f30-4775-8837-914443af3655&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q18** FRQ | [9.2 Elastic and plastic behaviour](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/elastic-and-plastic-behaviour/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=82ac6bc8-e95e-4972-a6ee-84397fea1850&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q19** FRQ | [9.1 Stress and strain](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/stress-and-strain/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.45 Medium | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=4c5a95d4-f528-4e6d-8179-c1d6e01d49d2&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q20** FRQ | [14.4 Doppler effect](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=4e19be8e-abcb-425a-9fa9-4a0c1812132b&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q21** FRQ | [14.4 Doppler effect](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=b094370e-26b1-4767-9653-d3365514ef08&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q22** FRQ | [14.1 Progressive waves](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/progressive-waves/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=f92adf86-e663-4237-ae67-f3be7fe6a2ae&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q23** FRQ | [15.2 Diffraction](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/diffraction/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=a3cefcbb-8a7d-40a4-b348-3b98543c0431&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q24** FRQ | [15.1 Stationary waves](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/stationary-waves/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=1e4ae6d0-295f-4128-81a5-32edcd951d26&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q25** FRQ | [15.1 Stationary waves](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/stationary-waves/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=fd71bcdc-eeb6-4411-9f00-183c036ad393&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q26** FRQ | [15.4 Diffraction gratings](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.45 Medium | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=7c0cd965-34ee-40fc-ac65-3886446464aa&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q27** FRQ | [17.1 Concept of an electric field](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=87a3d552-819b-4e10-a4ff-9785783af605&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q28** FRQ | [17.1 Concept of an electric field](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=f4a2733e-9a08-4521-9b91-9466bf844254&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q29** FRQ | [17.2 Uniform electric fields](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=1553d369-bccf-4425-89aa-a1f994ce6647&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q30** FRQ | [19.1 Electric current](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/electric-current/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=45f54713-674d-41ee-ad97-c20f261e6488&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q31** FRQ | [19.2 Potential difference and power](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/potential-difference-and-power/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=eb97ce55-cf5d-4a87-a7a0-7f7bd32c7c14&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q32** FRQ | [19.3 Resistance and resistivity](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/resistance-and-resistivity/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=0f08a65f-6208-4fb6-835b-649dffff3e70&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q33** FRQ | [19.2 Potential difference and power](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/potential-difference-and-power/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=2c6f054c-4b6c-4bdc-a4a4-823dc336ee2e&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q34** FRQ | [20.2 Kirchhoff’s laws](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/kirchhoff-s-laws/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=6efb87a8-a385-4d0d-8752-c44c7b4ec42a&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q35** FRQ | [20.2 Kirchhoff’s laws](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/kirchhoff-s-laws/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=0f872d86-6801-4e6d-82af-dfd4f8df245e&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q36** FRQ | [20.2 Kirchhoff’s laws](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/kirchhoff-s-laws/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=ef27bc96-d8e0-475f-996f-b99c04c3b009&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q37** FRQ | [20.1 Practical circuits](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/practical-circuits/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=02843566-35b7-40be-88ff-1ba307b424c6&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q38** FRQ | [26.1 Atoms, nuclei and radiation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=6f776195-9242-42a2-b757-03d5d7c7f423&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q39** FRQ | [26.1 Atoms, nuclei and radiation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/) | 1 | 0.20 Easy | 0.20 Low | 0.20 Low | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=517b65d2-e2da-4e3a-837c-12923cf60e1e&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |
| **Q40** FRQ | [26.1 Atoms, nuclei and radiation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/atoms-nuclei-and-radiation/) | 1 | 0.45 Medium | 0.20 Low | 0.45 Medium | [Go to Practice Hub](https://www.examsci.com/practice?set_id=7b71631e-67a7-4669-bd8f-bb022bded393&question_id=e3e5e285-2baf-4242-ae7c-ec78f8fdab9c&source_detail=9702%2F12+March+2016) |

## Topics in this paper

- [1.2 SI units](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/si-units/)
- [1.4 Scalars and vectors](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/scalars-and-vectors/)
- [5.3 Equilibrium of forces](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equilibrium-of-forces/)
- [2.2 Errors and uncertainties](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/errors-and-uncertainties/)
- [2.1 Measurements](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/)
- [19.2 Potential difference and power](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/potential-difference-and-power/)
- [3.1 Equations of motion](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/equations-of-motion/)
- [4.1 Momentum and Newton’s laws of motion](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/momentum-and-newton-s-laws-of-motion/)
- [4.3 Linear momentum and its conservation](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/linear-momentum-and-its-conservation/)
- [4.2 Non-uniform motion](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/non-uniform-motion/)
- [5.1 Types of force](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/)
- [5.2 Turning effects of forces](https://www.examsci.com/topics/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/turning-effects-of-forces/)

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- [9702/11](https://www.examsci.com/past-papers/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/2016-october-november-9702-11/) — October/November 2016 — 40 questions · 40 marks — Free
- [9702/12](https://www.examsci.com/past-papers/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/2016-october-november-9702-12/) — October/November 2016 — 40 questions · 40 marks — Free
- [9702/13](https://www.examsci.com/past-papers/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/2016-october-november-9702-13/) — October/November 2016 — 40 questions · 40 marks — Free
- [9702/11](https://www.examsci.com/past-papers/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/2016-may-june-9702-11/) — May/June 2016 — 40 questions · 40 marks — Free
- [9702/12](https://www.examsci.com/past-papers/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/2016-may-june-9702-12/) — May/June 2016 — 40 questions · 40 marks — Free
- [9702/13](https://www.examsci.com/past-papers/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/2016-may-june-9702-13/) — May/June 2016 — 40 questions · 40 marks — Free

## Paper FAQ

**How are the difficulty and complexity measures calculated?**

Each part is weighted by its official marks. Difficulty uses Easy 0.20, Medium 0.45 and Hard 0.75; algebraic complexity and text density and modelling use Low 0.20, Medium 0.45 and High 0.75. A Hard part worth 4 or more marks is down-weighted to marks^0.75, so the accessible starter steps inside a long structured question do not inflate the difficulty result. This paper's Difficulty Measure is 0.28 from 40 parts.

**What does the Difficulty Deviation show?**

It is the mark-weighted standard deviation of the part difficulty values around the paper mean. A value of 0 would mean every tagged part has the same difficulty; this paper's deviation is 0.12, so its parts are more mixed than a single-level paper.

**Is the Difficulty Ratio based on question counts or marks?**

It is based on official marks, not question counts. This paper's shares are 67.5% Easy, 32.5% Medium and 0.0% Hard; the three shares sum to 100% before rounding.

**Are these official difficulty ratings?**

No. They are derived from the platform's part-level difficulty and static-question-profile tags. They are not exam-board grade boundaries and are not calculated from candidate outcomes. Use them to compare the demand profile of papers, not to predict a grade.

**Why does each question row show its own measures?**

Each row recalculates the same mark-weighted formula from that question's parts. A single-part MCQ therefore shows the tag value directly, while a multi-part structured question blends the tags of its parts using the same Hard-part decay as the paper profile.

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Full page with native tables, bar charts and Practice Hub links: https://www.examsci.com/past-papers/cie-ial/physics/9702-paper-1/2016-march-9702-12/