Year 12 physics QCE external exam masterclass by ATAR high-achiever

A former private school student who achieved an almost perfect ATAR has provided a masterclass to help Year 12 physics students ace their QCE external exam.

Nearly 7000 students are expected to sit the physics external exams on November 8.

A former outstanding ATAR student and soon to be electrical engineer has delivered a masterclass to help Year 12 physics students ace the QCE external exam.

Ex-Townsville Grammar School student Felix Pountney achieved an ATAR of 99.85 in 2020 and is now a tutor with online company 100coach.com.au.

Nearly 7000 students are expected to sit the physics external exams which are set for Wednesday, November 8.

Felix Pountney is now a tutor with online company 100coach.com.au.

Best piece of advice for studying for the exam

“One major thing students should do, any study they do they should have the physical formula book open as it will also be in the test next to you. The biggest thing is knowing those formulas inside out, it’s an easy way to check questions,” he said.

“If you are familiar with exactly where the formulas are it will help a lot in the test. Because you can get anxious, it’s a way to avoid spending an extra minute looking up the formulas every time. It’s a familiarity thing.”

What questions can students expect?

“The general questions will include something on projectile motion, how it’s implemented. That’s sure to happen. In my opinion, the hardest part of the course will have fundamental particles in either the response questions or multiple choice.

“I’d say there will be a question on magnets, magnetic field and electric field.

“Make sure you know your Feynman diagrams, that’s an easy way to get marks but people can forget about them when studying because they get overconfident on them.

Where can students lose marks?

“Feynman diagrams, they can easily lose a few marks. It’s something students can completely blank on and just leave it off. It’s one of those things students will either know or not know and get either 100 per cent or nothing.

“They’re likely to lose marks by not actually doing what the question is asking for. So really make it clear in your workings that where your answer is. Distinguish between them or circle your answer if needed. There are so many numbers being thrown around and the markers only have a certain amount of time to mark them they can get lost. So make your workings clear and your final answer clear.

What order to tackle it?

“It’s a bit of personal preference really.”