whoiamiswhoiam
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Physics is my worst subject. 
Thank you!
Thank you!
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Looking for HSC notes and resources? Check out our Notes & Resources page
How did you get a band 5 or 6 in Physics? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter whoiamiswhoiam
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strawberrye
Premium Member
Here is an extract from my guide to acing senior studies that I have complied, and which from my personal experience helped me get a band 6 in physics. Remember, physics may be your worst subject right now, but with persistent hard work, it can become one of your best-don't give up until the last minute
My top 3 tips for preparing for excelling in science subjects(Physics/Chemistry/Biology etc)
1)PRACTICAL ASSESSMENTS:
Make sure you know reliability, validity, accuracy, sources of error, possible areas for improvement, independent/dependent/controlled variables, risk assessment for all the experiments you have done in class, make sure you can master basic science skills such as drawing line of best fit, drawing experimental set up accurately, using numbered points in writing a logical procedure, understand the requirements of the exam(I.e. how much time, how many parts) and allocate your time accordingly, make sure you understand the physical principle/theory behind why you did each experiment
2)THEORY ASSESSMENT AND EXAMS:
Make sure you PERSONALLY write a set of summarised notes according to each dot point of the syllabus in a concise but detailed manner-make sure you include appropriate diagrams as well, after you wrote the notes, make sure to start practising questions and CHECKING YOUR ANSWERS in textbooks-i.e. Roland Smith's Conquering Chemistry has an exam question section which is quite good, ask your teacher for practice questions and make links between dotpoints and across modules to reinforce your understanding. Throughout the year, you should be progressively cutting down your notes as you store more things into your long term memory-revise regularly. Before your final trial exam-you should try to get your hands on as many preliminary exams as possible to practice-and look at the marking guidelines, remember to practice under EXAM CONDITIONS. Make sure when you make notes you are at least referring to 3 different sources to synthesise your information. (colour-code and use mind-maps to make your notes engaging and easy to remember). In your notes, don't neglect to include all your experiments and second-hand investigations.
3)OTHER:
For other types of assessments such as group presentations, individual research assignments, second-hand investigations-you should strive to always include a comprehensive bibliography that indicates you have sourced your information not only from websites, but from journals/books as well, you should understand how to evaluate accuracy/reliability/validity in relation to the sources of information you are using, like other types of assessment, pay close attention to the marking criteria and make sure you fulfil it as much as possible, make sure your information is comprehensive, non-repetitive and answers the verb of the question: i.e. discuss, evaluate, compare, contrast, assess, examine (so for that matter, memorise what the main verbs used in your exam questions means).
Essentially, to succeed in the science subjects(Biology, Chemistry, Physics etc), you need to understand, constantly apply your understanding through practising questions and adopting feedback from your assessments to do better in each assessment-with repetition and consistent application you will achieve your desired marks.
For more science tips and study tips-
http://community.boredofstudies.org...how-excel-senior-year-studies-yr-11-12-a.html
http://community.boredofstudies.org/18/physics/256503/students-guide-hsc-physics.html (pretty good guide and notes for HSC physics)
http://community.boredofstudies.org/18/physics/23941/tips-studying-physics.html (some more study tips for physics)
Hope this helps-anymore questions, feel free to PM-all the best for you to ace your HSC year
My top 3 tips for preparing for excelling in science subjects(Physics/Chemistry/Biology etc)
1)PRACTICAL ASSESSMENTS:
Make sure you know reliability, validity, accuracy, sources of error, possible areas for improvement, independent/dependent/controlled variables, risk assessment for all the experiments you have done in class, make sure you can master basic science skills such as drawing line of best fit, drawing experimental set up accurately, using numbered points in writing a logical procedure, understand the requirements of the exam(I.e. how much time, how many parts) and allocate your time accordingly, make sure you understand the physical principle/theory behind why you did each experiment
2)THEORY ASSESSMENT AND EXAMS:
Make sure you PERSONALLY write a set of summarised notes according to each dot point of the syllabus in a concise but detailed manner-make sure you include appropriate diagrams as well, after you wrote the notes, make sure to start practising questions and CHECKING YOUR ANSWERS in textbooks-i.e. Roland Smith's Conquering Chemistry has an exam question section which is quite good, ask your teacher for practice questions and make links between dotpoints and across modules to reinforce your understanding. Throughout the year, you should be progressively cutting down your notes as you store more things into your long term memory-revise regularly. Before your final trial exam-you should try to get your hands on as many preliminary exams as possible to practice-and look at the marking guidelines, remember to practice under EXAM CONDITIONS. Make sure when you make notes you are at least referring to 3 different sources to synthesise your information. (colour-code and use mind-maps to make your notes engaging and easy to remember). In your notes, don't neglect to include all your experiments and second-hand investigations.
3)OTHER:
For other types of assessments such as group presentations, individual research assignments, second-hand investigations-you should strive to always include a comprehensive bibliography that indicates you have sourced your information not only from websites, but from journals/books as well, you should understand how to evaluate accuracy/reliability/validity in relation to the sources of information you are using, like other types of assessment, pay close attention to the marking criteria and make sure you fulfil it as much as possible, make sure your information is comprehensive, non-repetitive and answers the verb of the question: i.e. discuss, evaluate, compare, contrast, assess, examine (so for that matter, memorise what the main verbs used in your exam questions means).
Essentially, to succeed in the science subjects(Biology, Chemistry, Physics etc), you need to understand, constantly apply your understanding through practising questions and adopting feedback from your assessments to do better in each assessment-with repetition and consistent application you will achieve your desired marks.
For more science tips and study tips-
http://community.boredofstudies.org...how-excel-senior-year-studies-yr-11-12-a.html
http://community.boredofstudies.org/18/physics/256503/students-guide-hsc-physics.html (pretty good guide and notes for HSC physics)
http://community.boredofstudies.org/18/physics/23941/tips-studying-physics.html (some more study tips for physics)
Hope this helps-anymore questions, feel free to PM
-all the best for you to ace your HSC year
Last edited:
^ too good
Just do past papers (trials, HSC) and eventually you'll get used to the sort of questions they'll ask you (usually repeats). You can try doing them open book first (since structure is also important for extended responses) then closed book later.
Eventually the info will stick to your brain with consistent study + reading notes
Just do past papers (trials, HSC) and eventually you'll get used to the sort of questions they'll ask you (usually repeats). You can try doing them open book first (since structure is also important for extended responses) then closed book later.
Eventually the info will stick to your brain with consistent study + reading notes
anomalousdecay
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Understand the content thoroughly.
You will also need to learn how to answer your verbs given in the question and need to see what the question is asking.
Make sure you know how to structure and answer the longer response questions (the 5, 6, 7 or 8 markers).
Do past papers repetitively and go through your answers with a teacher who can help identify what you are getting wrong.
Also, you need to thoroughly understand what you are learning according to the syllabus and actually try to understand the concepts deeply.
You will also need to learn how to answer your verbs given in the question and need to see what the question is asking.
Make sure you know how to structure and answer the longer response questions (the 5, 6, 7 or 8 markers).
Do past papers repetitively and go through your answers with a teacher who can help identify what you are getting wrong.
Also, you need to thoroughly understand what you are learning according to the syllabus and actually try to understand the concepts deeply.
Fizzy_Cyst
Well-Known Member
Some great advice in this thread!
Only thing which I would add is to ensure that you understand how content from different topics/areas can actually relate to each other. Recently they really seem to be focusing on this multiple-outcome type question and I think this will continue.
If you have a good understanding of Physics, a good analytical mind, act on feedback given from teacher/tutor AND you work hard then most students are capable of 80+ in Physics as it is not THAT hard
Only thing which I would add is to ensure that you understand how content from different topics/areas can actually relate to each other. Recently they really seem to be focusing on this multiple-outcome type question and I think this will continue.
If you have a good understanding of Physics, a good analytical mind, act on feedback given from teacher/tutor AND you work hard then most students are capable of 80+ in Physics as it is not THAT hard
anomalousdecay
Premium Member
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This is true in this context. I did all the above as Fizzy mentioned and tried my best. I was still expecting something in the low 80's though.
Then I was relieved to somehow have gotten a band 6.
The work you put in will equal what you get out.
aimpacc
Member
make ur own study notes...[the notes itself arent as important as the process u make notes.]
when doing past papers just ignore the 6-7 markers cuz they wont show up again, and spam multiple choice, obtain ARC physics papers and study their dot point answers. NEAP papers and most other papers have paragraph answers (dont bother).
when doing past papers just ignore the 6-7 markers cuz they wont show up again, and spam multiple choice, obtain ARC physics papers and study their dot point answers. NEAP papers and most other papers have paragraph answers (dont bother).
??
Firstly, there are not that many 6-7 mark questions out there, they could definitely show up again (especially in school trials/exams). The question might be a bit different but it could definitely target the same dot point/s..
Secondly, what's wrong with studying sample answers in paragraph form? If you write your responses in paragraphs, why would reading sample answers in paragraph form be a waste? Just as well, there are potentially more details to pick up from longer sample answers compared to dot point answers from ARC.
aimpacc
Member
its physics not eco