Mastering AQA Physics: How to Answer 6-Mark Calculation Questions

Mastering AQA Physics: How to Answer 6-Mark Calculation Questions
A Step-by-Step Structured Method for Full Marks

Struggling students and confident physicists often lose marks on AQA’s 6-mark calculation questions—not because they can’t do the physics, but because they don’t show their working clearly enough for examiners to award full credit. This resource solves that problem.

This downloadable guide teaches students a repeatable, examiner-friendly method for tackling long-answer calculation questions in GCSE AQA Physics (Trilogy and Separate). It breaks down the process into clear, simple steps that help students think logically, structure their work, and demonstrate every stage of their reasoning.

What’s Inside

✔ A 6-step strategy specifically designed to match AQA mark-scheme expectations
✔ Sentence stems and worked examples that model how to show your thinking
✔ Guidance on selecting equations, rearranging, substituting, and showing units
✔ Common student mistakes and how to avoid them
✔ A dual-coded layout to support all learners
✔ Printable classroom poster + student checklist

The Six Steps Students Learn

Identify the physics topic – What is the question really asking?

Pick the correct formula – Using a simple recall prompt.

Rearrange clearly – With guided layout for algebraic steps.

Substitute values – Showing full working, not mental jumps.

Calculate with correct significant figures – Matching AQA expectations.

Add units + a final statement – Securing the last easy marks students often miss.