As you enter the room, you place all your carefully compiled notes into your bag, remove your calculator, ruler and pens, and find your place to sit. After listening to the instructions you write your name on the front cover and turn the page. Blank. You start to read the questions over and over but your brain has decided now is the perfect time to freeze. Alternatively, you read the questions and it slowly dawns upon you, you did not study this section. What do you do? Panic? Just write the first thing that comes into your head down on the paper? Regardless if you are working through NCEA Level 1 , 2, or 3, your mind blanking out and being unprepared for a question in an exam happens to the best of us. Luckily there are ways we can work around this in physics. Remember to stay calm, take a deep breath, and here are some revision tips to help you tackle NCEA physics problems.
I’ve blanked, where should I start?
The problem with mind blanks is that we have to restart our brains slowly. Start with the first question as usually within NCEA, it is the more accessible one. Read slowly through the question and look for anything you recognise. We need to understand the problem before we can successfully solve it. So using your words, rewrite the question as clearly as you can. What is it exactly that you are trying to solve? Look for keywords and phrases that will help you to identify which physics phenomena or concepts the question is about, and what exactly do you need to calculate? Rephrasing the question in a way that is more direct and clear for you, will help you stay on track and minimise the chances of solving the question incorrectly.
Units are a great thing to look for. For example, you are reading through the question and you see the unit km/h. From there we can start to understand the question, is this question about speed and/or distance? The aim is to focus on the problem and break it down into manageable sized bits. A helpful way to do this is to draw the questions out. Use the information you have gathered from the question to create a clear image of it. This helps to get the brain fired up. Start to write down any physics concepts and approaches that connect to the information you have found. For example, this question is about speed. What are some of the physics concepts you know about speed? Write them down as they come to you.
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How do I know what exactly I need to do?
Now that you understand the question we can begin to solve it. Units are our friends and can help us identify what equations we need to use. If the question asks for a specific unit to solve the problem, the next step is to consider the physics concepts and equations that are used with this unit. When naming and defining these concepts and equations, you are also looking for relevance to the situation. Another key phrase or concept to look for is the constraints. Are there any limitations given? What limitations has the question used? The questions become more complex and multilayered as you progress in your learning, so just directly doing the maths without breaking down the question is not the best approach. Being able to break down and put the question into a more straightforward language will help you to stay on the right track and maintain consistency. The idea is not that you write an equation, but you describe the physics being used. This will help you to write your equations further on. Look back at your drawing and possible concepts you had written down previously and start to narrow it down to ones that suit the question, also remember to include the constraints.
- Turning words into maths in physics can be tricky.
Let’s work towards the solution.
Breaking down the question can be difficult but it will help with the next stage. The maths. The aim is to turn your words into equations. You want to write an equation that quantifies the physics concepts and constraints that you found when decoding the question. The best way to do this is to start with what you know, create a plan that works backwards from the information you already have. Keep this section organised so you don’t get led astray by having to continuously search for where you are, misread or forget an important part. This may mean at the beginning you don’t have a singular equation. But as you work backwards you can use the formulas provided and change and/or alter the equation as you go.
This part is the trickiest, how do you change words into maths? The answer is step by step, bit by bit. As the equation begins to take form, you may change it for another that is more accurate in regards to the physics phenomena you are describing. In your end of year NCEA physics exam, you will most likely be given a sheet with a range of formulas on it. Have a read of it and find the equations that match the closest to your variables and the problem you are trying to solve. If you see that it fits, use it. Before you start inputting numbers into your formula, double-check that the units are correct. Now you are ready to go, input the numerical values into the equation and solve it.
Now I can hand my exam in right?
While you may be ready for a self-congratulatory pat on the back, there is an important part you need to do. Now you need to evaluate the answer. When you are evaluating your answer err on the side of caution. Reread the question and see if your answer aligns with it. Does this answer seem reasonable to the question? What would an incorrect answer look like? Is this the most accurate and efficient equation to use? This can be a downfall for a lot of NCEA physics students. It was noted by past exam markers that students were using less efficient formulas to do their calculations. Take the time to go over your work. Did you answer the question completely? Stopping too early in your explanation can lead to an incorrect answer. Is the answer in the format that the questions asked for? For example, it may ask for an explanation and not just a solved equation. These details are important and being able to scrutinise your own work is a transferable skill into your other subjects as well. Read our guide on how to use past exam papers for revision.
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What are some ways I can prepare myself for Level 1, 2, or 3?
Revision is a key tool that will help you unlock the world of physics. This may mean a bit of memorising as you learn the use and function of different formulas, units, and physics variables. It can take a little while to get the hang of it, but through repetition, it becomes a memory. Attempting past exams is a great idea to help you get familiar with the format and the variety of questions you may get asked. Practising throughout the year at home as you come across new topics will help to familiarise you with the language used to describe and explain physics. The more familiar you are with the style of writing in physics, the easier it is to simplify it when you need to. If you are looking for someone to help you break it down in more detail, Superprof gives you access to a range of tutors. With reviews to help you figure out what style of tutoring works for you, a range of tutors to work with different budgets, and the ability to find tutors who can provide times that fit around your commitments, Superprof has what you are looking for.
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