Combined Science (Physics) Paper 5 Planning Questions & Common Setups (2026)
21 Mar 2026, 00:00 Z
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TL;DR
Paper 5 Planning questions are worth 6–8 marks and follow a predictable structure: identify variables, state a hypothesis, choose apparatus, write a step-by-step method, and explain how to make results reliable. This guide breaks down each part with worked examples from common Physics setups.
This guide and the programme page
This article covers Planning question technique for Combined Science (Physics) Paper 5. For session schedules and venue information, use the O-Level Science (Physics) practical programme page.
For a broader Paper 5 overview including MMO, PDO, and ACE, start with the Combined Science (Physics) Paper 5 Practical Guide.
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1 | What Planning questions look like
A typical Paper 5 Planning question gives you a context - a physical setup - and asks you to design an experiment to investigate a relationship. You are expected to:
- State the independent variable (what you change)
- State the dependent variable (what you measure)
- List controlled variables (what you keep constant)
- Write a hypothesis (a testable prediction with reasoning)
- List apparatus with specifications
- Write a step-by-step method (numbered, precise)
- Explain reliability measures (repeats, averaging, fair test)
2 | The variables framework
Identifying variables correctly
| Variable type | What it means | Example (pendulum) |
| Independent | The factor you deliberately change |
