The ‘guaranteed’ questions for Year 12 QCE physics papers

An 99.95 ATAR academic has predicted some of the questions almost certain to test Year 12 physics students at the upcoming QCE papers. This is what you should expect.

One of Queensland’s most successful Year 12 students in recent years has predicted some of questions almost certain to be included in the upcoming QCE physics papers.

Vishaak Gangasandra has given insight to help the class of 2022 ace their science tests days before they sit physics papers on Friday, November 11.

The physics tutor and The Southport School graduate of 2020 who’s ATAR of 99.95 named him the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s highest achieving student.

Mr Gangasandra was accepted into the University of Queensland as a vice-chancellor’s scholar and is a science tutor with 100coach.com.au.

Vishaak Gangasandra graduated from The Southport School as an outstanding academic.

The guaranteed questions

He said predicted electromagnetism to be the largest component of the external exam.

“There is almost guaranteed to be a question asking students to explain a paradox of special relativity and a question asking students to explain or draw a particle interaction, known as a Feynman diagram,” Mr Gangasandra said.

Mr Gangasandra said he expected there to be 20 multiple choice questions on the first paper with each mark designed to take up one minute each.

“The quicker you answer the better,” he said.

“Each mark is worth one distinct point in your answer so it’s best to write as many separate and succinct points in your answer.

“Your external exam should, ideally, test you on every single syllabus dot point (or as many as they can), so make sure you have read through the QCAA syllabus guidelines.”

Mr Gangasandra encouraged Year 12 students to effectively organise their study methods.

“It’s no secret that QCE physics is a test of your ability to understand and integrate formulas that come from a variety of different units,” he said.

After speaking to dozens of past ATAR 99.95 scorers, Mr Gangasandra provided a list of study strategies to ace physics.

Know your data sheet inside-out

“The data sheet and formula book can be the most useful tool in the exam if you know how to interpret it,” he said.

“Although there are many formulas on there (which means you don’t have to memorise them), you are not given a description of what the formulas represent or where to use them.

“There are also some useful formulas that they haven’t included on there too (only three out of five suvat formulas are given), so be mindful of this.”

Learn how to interpret graphs

“What students often forget to study is the skills needed to interpret graphs. There will be a question requiring you to interpret a graph and this will likely be worth quite a few marks on Paper two. Know how to calculate gradients of lines and interpret what they mean.”

Only do practice questions

“Only days away from your exams, doing as many practice questions as you can is the highest yield study technique. Get as much expose to questions as you can.”