Introduction
The H2 Physics syllabus mainly builds upon what you have already learnt in secondary school, expanding upon them in greater complexity. It also adds a few additional topics, such as basic quantum physics and nuclear physics. However, the bulk of the syllabus still revolves around Newtonian Mechanics. Elements such as circuit diagrams that were present in the O-level syllabus will also make a comeback.
Because H2 Physics is essentially an “upgraded” version of pure Physics, everything you learn in secondary school will form the foundation of H2 physics - so do not simply discard your secondary school knowledge. There’s actually quite a lot of content from O Levels that’s repeated in A levels for Physics, hence having a solid grasp of your O Level knowledge will be extremely beneficial. Overall, if you had a strong conceptual foundation in O Level Physics, A Level Physics should not be a significant issue.
Differences between O Level and A Level Physics
Generally, there are three main differences between O Level Physics and A Level Physics: you can expect to face increased breadth and depth of content, along with greater application of mathematical concepts.
Breadth of Content
A Level Physics covers many more topics than secondary school pure physics. Many students experience a steep learning curve in JC. E.g. The H2 Physics syllabus contains a new topic – Modern Physics – which is not found in the O Level syllabus. Unlike all the other topics, the chapters in this topic revolve around knowledge which were only discovered within the last 100 years, namely Quantum Physics and Nuclear Physics. In the latter topic, you will learn about the inner workings of nuclear energy, and apply the famous formula E=mc2! Not to worry though, these chapters have been heavily simplified for A Level purposes so that it is more manageable.
Depth of Content
Many topics in the O Level syllabus are included in the A Level syllabus, namely Newtonian Mechanics, Thermal Physics, Waves, and Electricity and Magnetism. The understanding you’ve built in secondary school will form the foundation for further exploration at a more advanced level. For example, in secondary school, students only learnt about the motion of objects (Kinetics) in one dimension/direction, but in JC, students learn about the motion of objects in two dimensions (e.g. diagonally up and down, in a curved shape etc), which is a little more complicated. The concepts, formulas, and equations tested are no doubt more numerous and complicated than the ones in O Levels.
Mathematical Rigour
“Qualitative” (which involves describing a phenomenon without pinning it down precisely in as a mathematical formula) concepts learnt at the O Level will be expanded upon in H2 Physics with more “quantitative” (concepts expressed in mathematical formulae) insights. For example, at the O Levels, we learn that the further away a point is from a wire, the weaker the magnetic field. But at the A Levels, we learn that to be precise, the relationship is inversely proportional. Moreover, while O Level formulas generally consist of only 2 to 3 dependent variables, A Level formulas can consist of up to 4 – the kinetic energy of a system in Simple Harmonic Motion is given by
K.E. = 0.5mω(x 02 – x2)
Many Physics students typically find this jarring at first. Concepts from both O Level Elementary and Additional Mathematics feature heavily in the H2 Physics syllabus. You are presumed to be already proficient in topics such as trigonometry and calculus.
2. Examination Structure
There will be four papers in total, similar to the other sciences (Biology and Chemistry). P1 is MCQ - you have 60 minutes for 30 questions. Like the other sciences, most people tend to score in MCQ (it comes with repeated practice). P2 and P3 are the written content papers, while P4 is the practical paper.
Paper 1 (MCQ)
Duration: 1 hour
Number of marks: 30
Number of questions: 30
Weightage: 15%
This paper consists of 30 marks and the duration is 60 minutes. While 2 minutes per question might seem like a lot of time, some questions require extensive and time-consuming calculation too, so you can’t afford to take your own sweet time either. You need to aim to spend 1.5 minutes on each question ideally to ensure you have enough time to check your work.
As a good practice, it helps to circle keywords and write down the numerical values given beside the keyword (e.g circle ‘speed’ and write ‘25km/h’). This provides a clear picture on what the question is asking for and which values have to be added into the equation since some questions may give additional information, leaving some candidates confused. Beyond that, this also allows you to identify key concepts - this is very important in Physics because some questions may seemingly be testing a concept, but it’s actually a trick question for another topic.
This tip applies to all the science subjects, but skip questions that you are spending more than 2 minutes on. Students may be tempted to brood over that one or two questions, but this is a waste of time. There may be easier questions nearer to the end of the paper so move on and grab those marks first.
If you practice enough and don’t make any silly mistakes, getting full marks may even be achievable.
Paper 2
Duration: 2 hours
Number of marks: 80
Weightage: 30%
Similar to O Levels, the structured (written/open-ended) papers in A Level Physics incorporate a range of question types, including define, state, explain, comment and data-based questions. However, A Level questions tend to demand more higher-order thinking and less regurgitation compared to O Level ones. Another key difference is that there are now two structured papers at the A Levels, whereas there was only one at the O Levels.
Practice your TYS fully (the whole thing, not just the recent years’ P2s). Candidates always think that only previous years’ P2s are important, but while the papers may be set based on the most updated syllabus, Cambridge exam questions have frequently been ‘recycled’ from previous years (even from those long ago). Note that they can be from P2, P3, or even P1, so you should take time to finish and revise all these papers before sitting for your P2 exam, and not just the P2s only.
Specifically for definition questions, while they may only be 1-2 marks each, they can in total accumulate to at least 6 marks. These questions are worth the marks as they can be easily earned as long as you memorise them. Here are samples of definition sheets that may be useful in your revision (also found in our Academic Resources tab):
When you have the concept that you think is being tested in mind, write down all the related formulae at the side in pencil, along with the relevant values provided by the question for the particular formula. This will give you a broader idea of the entire question, especially since some questions can have many parts.
You should always define conceptual equations in the first line of your answer. Do not jump straight into the equation - you must show that you are not simply regurgitating what you have memorised.
Paper 3
Duration: 2 hours
Number of marks: 80
Weightage: 35%
P3 is rather similar to P2, so the points above also apply. However, what sets apart P3 from P2 is the fact that the questions focused more on long-structured answers. This means you have to be very extremely clear about the concept and what they are asking for. Each question can be up to 6 marks, so write your answers with an appropriate level of detail proportionate to the marks given.
You also have a choice between the last two questions of the paper. Our advice would be to read every part of the first question. Students often charge head-long into a question because the topic seems easy, but when they hit a crucial, high mark question part they can’t do, they have already spent time / sunk cost into the question. If you’re confident that you can do most if not all questions, move ahead with it. If not, consider the alternative question, and compare roughly the total number of marks you might miss out on because you’re not sure how to do it, and then choose accordingly. If time is tight, you could just choose the question that seems to revolve around the topics you are most familiar with.
Paper 4 (Practical)
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Number of marks: 55
Weightage: 20%
Both involve doing experiments, manipulating the data collected, and answering some questions related to the experiments. That said, the questions tested in A Level Physics practical tend to be more standard and predictable relative to their O Level equivalents, making them decidedly easier to prepare for and hence ace.
In the actual examination, there are 2 stations. You will be given 1 hour to work on each station. It could be tested as two short questions in station 1 and one long question in station 2, or vice versa. You will switch stations after 1 hour. The last 30 minutes will then be for the planning question.
It is important to note that you can only use the apparatus of each station within the 1 hour allocated time. As such, you must finish the relevant parts of the questions that require you to use the experimental tools at that station within that time frame. You can, however, finish the calculation and theoretical evaluation answers of any of the questions at either station or at the last 30 minutes allocated for planning.
The experimental questions tend to revolve around Kinematics, Forces, Thermal Physics, Oscillations and D.C. Circuits, whereas the planning question can be about literally any topic. (In 2020, the planning question was on Nuclear Physics!)
Even though both experiments and planning questions typically revolve around a topic in the syllabus, the set-ups are usually more complicated than in the textbooks, and any formulas needed for calculations will be provided. Many of these formulas are framed as “proposed relationships”.
Read the question very carefully - this is especially crucial in P4, because if you misidentify concepts or misunderstand the questions, you will be at a high risk of carrying out the wrong experiment! Time in P4 is very crucial so you need to avoid this at all cost.
Always leave ample time for planning questions, ideally 30 minutes. Planning is one of the easiest components in practicals. Even if you don’t understand the question initially, you should first think through the concepts they are testing. Then identify the equipment needed for the experiment, and list them down clearly so that examiners can award you marks for that. Examiners are aware that planning questions can be hard, so do not be discouraged if you cannot figure out the perfect answer. What they want to see is your thought process, so if you are approaching the question logically with reasonable steps and a clear concept in mind, you will be awarded marks. It’s also helpful to draw a diagram if you have sufficient time, especially for experimental set-ups that are hard to articulate coherently - this will help examiners better understand your written steps. Remember to label / indicate the names of the apparatus in your drawings as well.
Some of us have found that it is relatively easily to score > 80% for Physics practical for three reasons:
The questions and hence answering structures tend to be rather standard, so all you have to do is memorise them and apply them during the examination.
Cambridge does not care that much about the accuracy of your results. As long as the trend of your data points are correct, you will be given full credit.
Compared to A levels H2 Chemistry practical papers, H2 Physics practical papers are less focused on your theoretical knowledge. That said, it is still wise to do some theory revision as well.
3. Should I take H2 Physics?
Some considerations… | Physics | Biology/Any Humanities Subject |
Involvement of Math | Involves a decent amount of mathematical calculation and thought | Involves little to no mathematical calculations |
Extent of memorisation | Requires less memorisation (though there still is) | Significantly greater memorisation required |
Subject load / time required for studying | Less studying time required if you understand the concepts well | Long hours of studying required even if you understand the concepts well |
JC subject prerequisites | Some Junior Colleges require you to have either taken or scored a minimum grade in H2 Physics/other subjects at the “O” Levels in order for you to be allowed to take them at the “A” levels. This is also known as a prerequisite. Do check your junior college’s website for details if you’re unsure. However, note that some junior colleges are willing to let you appeal to take a particular subject even if you didn’t meet the requirements. | |
University subject prerequisites | You are required to pass/”do well” for H2 Physics to take certain university courses (that said, such courses are relatively rare in local universities). If you have a particular dream university course, it is best to check the relevant university department’s website. Here are the relevant webpages for NUS and NTU (SUTD does not require students to have taken H2 Physics) https://www.ntu.edu.sg/science/admissions/undergraduate/admission-requirements#Content_C057_Col02 https://nus.edu.sg/oam/docs/default-source/admissions/h1-h2-sdp.pdf?sfvrsn=c5567dcb_6 | You are required to pass/”do well” for H2 Biology to take certain university courses (that said, such courses are rare) Do note that taking H2 Biology is not a hard prerequisite to take medicine or dentistry in NUS or NTU (H2 pass in Chemistry + either H2 pass in Biology or Physics is sufficient) at the time of writing. Therefore, taking H2 Physics doesn’t close off the opportunity to take these courses. They also tend to provide bridging courses for non-Biology students to catch up. |
Choice of university course (you can check their A level subject requirements online) - However, it is also true that most students have little to no idea about the specific course they are interested in, so it may be helpful to pick a subject that opens as many options as possible. Typically this would be Physics, but if you are relatively sure that you aren’t interested in a Physics / Engineering related course, you could also pick Biology.
Complementation with your other subjects - If you are considering taking Biology with History or Geography, be mentally prepared for the content-heavy nature of it. Cambridge and school boards also tend to put A level Biology and History / Geography papers on the same day as well (at least in HCI). But with that being said, as someone who took 2 content-heavy H2 subjects, I have no regrets on my choice of combination - just go with your passion :)
Personality and study style preference - Some students prefer a more content-heavy / muggable subject especially if they find performing under pressure hard (for Physics, it is common to make easily-avoidable careless mistakes under pressure, but this is less common - though not impossible - for Biology).
Passion and interest for the subject - This is an obvious point, but too many students I know have been pressured into taking Physics since it is allegedly “more practical” for university, when their actual interest leans more towards Biology. Don’t be swayed by others; you are ultimately making this decision for yourself.
4. General Exam Tips and Common Mistakes
If you have decided to take H2 Physics, here are some tips for you to excel!
Many topics in H2 Physics are heavily reliant on the topics that were taught earlier. For example, to fully understand what on earth is going on in the topic “Gravitational Field”, you need to have a strong understanding of the topics taught before it – Kinematics, Forces, and Work, Energy, Power (WEP). Therefore, it is crucial that you pay attention in class from day one and build a strong physics foundation. That way, it will be much easier to understand the more advanced topics taught later on.
Don’t be too surprised if you see an exam question that tests different chapters in separate parts
Additionally, a very significant portion of marks in H2 Physics papers are allocated to calculation questions. Therefore, you should aim to score full marks for calculation questions. And while this might seem like a daunting task, doing lots of practice questions will help you
Memorising formulas are necessary but insufficient. You also need to understand how the various formulas can be applied
Practice, practice and practice. Once you’re done, mark your work and note down key learning points and careless mistakes, and review them again during revision. Some common mistakes include forgetting to divide the diameter by 2 to get your radius in calculation questions, or using the wrong unit / forgetting to convert units before applying a formula
Speaking of marks, roughly 10% of that is also allocated to definition questions. And while that might not sound like much, it could make the difference between a B and a D, so I highly suggest memorising all of them (which isn’t as time consuming as it sounds).
For topic-specific tips, check out:
Physics_ACJC_Exam Tips and Common Mistakes (First 5 Chapters)_Eugene Lek
Contributed by Eugene Lek (ACJC ‘21), Samantha Vun (RI’20), Noah Ong (SAJC’20), Jonas Seet (HCI’20)
Additional information adapted from The Science Academy and RI WordPress
Edited by Ho Song Yee (HCI ‘20)