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O-Level Physics 2024 new syllabus guide + free notes
Physics is one of the most important subjects to master as it provides a solid foundation for many scientific concepts. And so, to get a high grade in O-level physics, it's important for students to master all of the topics that are going to be tested.
Which is why, in this article, we will look at:
- A detailed look at the O-level pure Physics 2024 syllabus and the exam format,
- 5 tips on how to prepare for the exams to secure maximum marks
Free O-level Physics past papers
Before you continue scrolling, we've assembled a valuable collection of O-level physics papers just for you. Unlock these papers by filling out the form below, and they’re all yours for free.
A detailed look at the O-level pure Physics 2024 syllabus and the exam format
Getting ready for O-level Pure Physics can seem daunting. It's a subject that requires a good understanding of theories and strong math skills. However, you can excel by thoroughly covering the syllabus, understanding what examiners expect, and starting your preparation well in advance.
Updated Pure Physics Syllabus 2024
The O-Level physics course is designed to help students get a thorough understanding of concepts like energy, matter, and how they're connected. It's about exploring natural events and using patterns, models, Maths formulas, principles, theories, and laws to explain how the physical world works.
The ideas in this course are part of classical physics, which is the older version of physics. Modern physics, on the other hand, was created to understand tiny particles like atoms and subatomic stuff. It's based on what we learned from classical physics. So, we can say that this syllabus is created to build a student's fundamental knowledge of Physics.
Topics covered in O-level Physics updated syllabus
1. Measurement
- Physical quantities
- Units and measurement
- Kinematics
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Turning effect of forces
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Thermal processes
- Static electricity
- Current of electricity
- D.C. circuits
- Practical electricity
- Magnetism
- Electromagnetism
- Electromagnetic induction
- Radioactivity
What the examiners are testing
Papers 1 and 2
Paper 3
In Paper 3, you'll be evaluated on different skills related to assessment objectives. These skills include:
- Planning (P)
- Manipulation, measurement and Observation (MMO)
- Presentation of Data and Observations (PDO)
- Analysis, Conclusions and Evaluation (ACE)
Now, when it comes to how these skills are assessed, here's the breakdown:
- Planning (P) will make up 15% of your assessment. So, it's a smaller part.
- The other skills, which are MMO, PDO, and ACE, will collectively make up 85% of your assessment. These are the major focus areas you'll be graded on.
Grading structure
| Paper | Type of Paper | Duration | Marks | Weightage |
| 1 | Multiple choice questions (MCQs) | 1 hour | 40 | 30% |
| 2 | Structured and free response | 1 hour 45 minutes | 80 | 50% |
| 3 | Practical | 1 hour 50 minutes | 40 | 20% |
Some of these questions might test your planning abilities (P) and require you to use knowledge from different parts of the syllabus. When it comes to PDO and ACE, there may be questions about analysing data that don't need actual lab equipment.
Importantly, during the assessment, you can't use your notebooks, textbooks, or any other reference materials. You have to rely on what you know from your studies.
5 tips on how to prepare for the exams to secure maximum marks
1. Mastering Physics with model answers
Understanding physics questions might seem challenging at first, but once you grasp the topic, you'll find that there are only a limited number of ways to explain natural phenomena. To excel, practice using model answers, focus on key concepts, and develop the ability to adapt your knowledge.
2. Don't overlook Secondary 3 topics
It might be tempting to focus solely on the challenging electromagnetism topics this year, but remember, neglecting the basics like kinematics or turning effect can come back to haunt you. Keep your foundation strong by ensuring that all your knowledge is fresh and well-practised.
3. Memorise key information
To excel in physics, follow these key strategies:
- Formulas: Memorise essential formulas and apply them by substituting the given values. Even in challenging questions, having the right equations at your fingertips can be a game-changer.
- Definition and law recall: Secure your knowledge by memorising definitions and fundamental laws. These often provide valuable marks during exams and reinforce your understanding of key concepts.
4. Connecting Physics to everyday life
Whenever you observe something happening in the real world, mentally dissect the physics behind it. This habit not only helps you review your subject but also deepens your understanding. For even better results, try explaining these phenomena to a younger sibling/cousin; it reinforces your learning and highlights areas where you might need further clarification.
5. Harnessing mindmaps for effective learning
Unlock the potential of mindmaps to enhance your learning:
- Visualising concepts: Create mindmaps to visualise complex physics concepts. This graphical representation simplifies information and aids in comprehension.
- Organised knowledge: Use mindmaps to organise your knowledge. They provide a structured overview of topics, helping you see connections between different ideas.
- Memory enhancement: Mindmaps serve as memory aids. When you construct them, you reinforce your understanding, making it easier to recall information during exams.
- Problem-solving tool: Mindmaps can be handy tools for problem-solving. Break down complex physics problems step by step in a mind-map format to identify key elements and solutions.
- Collaborative learning: Mindmaps can also facilitate group study. Sharing and discussing mindmaps with peers can deepen your understanding through different perspectives.
Incorporating mind maps into your study routine can be a powerful strategy to improve your grasp of physics concepts.
