O-Level Combined Science (Physics) Paper 5 Practical Guide 2026
20 Mar 2026, 00:00 Z
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Practical course certificate note
For practical, lab, and experiment courses, Eclat Institute may issue an internal Certificate of Completion/Attendance based on participation and internal assessment.
- This is an internal centre-issued certificate, not an MOE/SEAB qualification or accreditation.
- Recognition (if any) is determined by the receiving school, institution, or employer.
- For SEAB private candidates taking science practical papers, SEAB states you should either have taken the subject before or complete a practical course before the practical exam date.
View our sample certificate template (Current sample layout (design may be refined over time))
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TL;DR
Combined Science (Physics) Paper 5 is 1 h 30 min, 30 marks, 15 % of the 5086 or 5088 grade.
It tests the same four skill strands as pure Physics Paper 3 (Planning, MMO, PDO, ACE) but with a narrower apparatus scope - mechanics, heat, electricity, and light - and typically includes a modification or extension task worth 10–20 % of Paper 5 marks.
The single biggest mark loss is sloppy instrument reading: read voltmeters and ammeters to the correct decimal place, and record thermometer readings to 0.5 °C or better.
Looking for structured practical coaching? See our O-Level Physics tuition programme.
This guide and the programme page
This article covers the physics practical content and technique for Paper 5. For session schedules, venue information, and enrolment, use the O-Level Science (Physics) practical programme page.
Not sure whether to take 5086 or 5088? See 5086 vs 5087 vs 5088: Which Combined Science Combination to Choose.
1 | Paper 5 format for Combined Science (Physics)
| Item | Detail |
| Paper | Paper 5 (Practical) |
| Duration | 1 h 30 min |
| Marks | 30 marks |
| Weighting | 15 % of combined-science grade |
| Skill strands | Planning (P), MMO, PDO, ACE |
