SQA Higher & Advanced Higher Physics Past Papers (2015–2025) with Marking Schemes
Looking for SQA Higher Physics past papers or SQA Advanced Higher Physics past papers with answers? This page is your complete, free resource — covering every official exam paper and marking scheme from 2015 to 2025.
SQA Higher Physics Past Papers 2015–2025 (Year 12)
All papers below are official SQA Higher Physics question papers with full marking instructions. Click any link to download.
Question Papers
👉 Tip: Start with the most recent papers to understand current exam trends.
SQA Advanced Higher Physics Past Papers 2016–2025 (Year 13)
These are the official SQA Advanced Higher Physics past papers with full marking instructions, covering all available years.
Question Papers
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2025 QP
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2024 QP
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2023 QP
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2022 QP
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2020 QP
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2019 QP
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2018 QP
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2017 QP
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2016 QP
Solutions
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2025 MS
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2024 MS
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2023 MS
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2022 MS
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2020 MS
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2019 MS
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2018 MS
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2017 MS
- SQA Physics Advanced Higher 2016 MS
What Topics Are Covered in SQA Physics Past Papers?
Understanding the topic breakdown helps you revise more strategically. Here’s what appears across both levels:
SQA Higher Physics Topics
| Topic | Typical Marks Weighting |
|---|---|
| Our Dynamic Universe (mechanics, motion, relativity) | ~30% |
| Particles and Waves (quantum, radiation, waves) | ~30% |
| Electricity (circuits, semiconductors) | ~25% |
| Researching Physics (experimental skills) | ~15% |
SQA Advanced Higher Physics Topics
| Topic | Typical Marks Weighting |
|---|---|
| Rotational Motion and Astrophysics | ~25% |
| Quanta and Waves | ~25% |
| Electromagnetism | ~25% |
| Investigating Physics (practical skills) | ~25% |
The topic weightings above are approximate guides based on recent papers. Always check the current SQA course specification for the official breakdown.
How to Revise Effectively with SQA Past Papers
This proven 5-step method gets results:
1. Sit the paper under real exam conditions No notes, no phone, strictly timed. Treat it like the real thing — this builds exam stamina and reduces anxiety on the day.
2. Mark your work using the official marking scheme Be strict. The marking instructions show exactly how SQA awards marks — this is invaluable knowledge you can apply in your real exam.
3. Identify your weak topics Make a note of every question you dropped marks on. Group them by topic to reveal your revision priorities.
4. Go back and redo the questions you got wrong Don’t just read the answer — close the marking scheme and attempt the question again from scratch. This is where the real learning happens.
5. Repeat across multiple years Aim for at least 4–5 full papers before your exam. You’ll start to notice patterns in how questions are asked and which topics come up most frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download SQA Higher Physics past papers for free? All Higher Physics past papers from 2015 to 2025 are available to download free on this page, along with the official SQA marking instructions.
Where can I download SQA Advanced Higher Physics past papers for free? All Advanced Higher papers from 2016 to 2025, including marking schemes, are listed above and available as free PDF downloads.
Are the SQA marking schemes included? Yes — every paper on this page has a corresponding marking scheme. Using the marking instructions is essential for understanding how marks are awarded and how to phrase your answers correctly.
Why is there no 2021 SQA Physics paper? SQA exams were cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grades that year were awarded by teacher assessment, so no exam paper exists for 2021.
What is the best way to revise for SQA Higher Physics? Combine topic revision with regular past paper practice. Work through papers under timed conditions, then use the marking scheme to identify gaps. Focus extra time on the topics where you consistently lose marks.
How many marks is SQA Higher Physics? The SQA Higher Physics exam is out of 130 marks — 25 marks for the multiple choice section and 105 marks for the written paper.
How many marks is SQA Advanced Higher Physics? The written exam is 100 marks, plus a separate coursework investigation which is internally assessed.
Are the 2025 SQA Physics papers available? Yes — both the 2025 Higher and Advanced Higher question papers and marking schemes are included on this page.
What topics come up most in SQA Higher Physics? Mechanics, waves, and electricity are consistently well-represented across all years. Quantum physics and nuclear radiation also appear regularly in the Particles and Waves unit.
Is there a difference between the 2020 paper and other years? The 2020 paper was prepared but never used due to the pandemic — it’s sometimes labelled “Unused 2020.” It’s still excellent practice as it was written to the same standard as a live exam.
Need Extra Support?
Whether you’re revising for your Scottish Higher Physics exam (Year 12) or pushing for top marks in Advanced Higher Physics (Year 13), working through real past papers is the single most effective revision strategy you can use. You’ll learn exactly how questions are worded, how marks are awarded, and where students most commonly lose points.
If you’re finding certain topics difficult, working with a tutor can make a real difference. I offer online Physics tuition for Higher and Advanced Higher students, focusing on exactly the areas where students typically struggle in SQA exams.
Find out more about online Physics tuition →
Bookmark this page — new papers are added each year as soon as they’re available.