Physics exam trends & analysis (2019–2025)
Across 2019–2025, Electromagnetism is examined most (88 questions), ahead of The Nature of Light (82 questions) and Advanced Mechanics (68 questions). By topic, Electromagnetic induction, Projectile motion explained and Spectroscopy come up most, with Quantum model of light and the photoelectric effect and Charged particles in electric fields explained also recurring.
Based on 305 questions across 7 official NESA exam papers, their marking guidelines and marking feedback.
Work in progress
These exam-trend insights are an early release. The frequencies, mark ranges and figures are still being verified against the official NESA past papers and may change. Treat them as a study guide, not a guarantee of what will be examined.
Most-examined dot points
By module
Every dot point, by exam frequency
Click any dot point for the full verbatim syllabus wording, worked answers and past questions.
Showing 35 of 35 dot points
| Dot point | Times | Marks | Years | Most common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electromagnetic inductionM6 Checking working for simple errors | 25× | 1–9 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Checking working for simple errors |
| Projectile motion explainedM5 Manipulating equations to solve for unknown | 20× | 1–7 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Manipulating equations to solve for unknown |
| SpectroscopyM7 Not knowing symbols; choosing wrong equation | 18× | 1–4 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Not knowing symbols; choosing wrong equation |
| Quantum model of light and the photoelectric effectM7 Line of best fit; work function as KEmax intercept at f=0 | 17× | 1–9 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Line of best fit; work function as KEmax intercept at f=0 |
| Charged particles in electric fields explainedM6 Confusing V (voltage) with v (velocity) | 15× | 1–3 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Confusing V (voltage) with v (velocity) |
| Wave model of lightM7 Interpreting proportional/inverse relationships in equation | 15× | 1–4 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Interpreting proportional/inverse relationships in equation |
| DC and AC motorsM6 Not explaining how back emf affects operating current | 13× | 1–7 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Not explaining how back emf affects operating current |
| Force on current-carrying conductorsM6 Analysing torque rather than forces; ambiguous directions | 13× | 1–4 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Analysing torque rather than forces; ambiguous directions |
| Radioactive decay and half-lifeM8 Clear plan; setting out steps of working | 13× | 1–3 | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Clear plan; setting out steps of working |
| Special relativityM7 Using twin paradox; unclear meaning of dilation across frames | 13× | 1–8 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Using twin paradox; unclear meaning of dilation across frames |
| Transformers and AC transmissionM6 Omitting calculations; not showing full working | 11× | 1–4 | 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Omitting calculations; not showing full working |
| Charges in magnetic fields explainedM6 Not recognising both mass and charge affect radius | 10× | 1–7 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Not recognising both mass and charge affect radius |
| Stellar evolution and nucleosynthesisM8 Understanding units; not planning to address all parts | 10× | 1–9 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Understanding units; not planning to address all parts |
| The Standard Model of particle physicsM8 Associating specific bosons with fundamental forces | 10× | 1–9 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Associating specific bosons with fundamental forces |
| Conservation of energy in orbital motion explainedM5 Energy conservation in elliptical orbit; GPE-KE relationship | 9× | 1–4 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Energy conservation in elliptical orbit; GPE-KE relationship |
| Non-uniform circular motion (banked tracks, conical pendulums, vertical circles) explainedM5 Generalised validity rather than addressing the scenario | 9× | 1–4 | 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Generalised validity rather than addressing the scenario |
| Gravitational potential energy and escape velocity explainedM5 Not a question about changing orbit | 8× | 1–8 | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Not a question about changing orbit |
| The electromagnetic spectrum and Maxwell's equationsM7 Rephrasing question; not naming E and B fields | 8× | 1–4 | 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025 | Rephrasing question; not naming E and B fields |
| Bohr model and the Balmer-Rydberg formulaM8 Recalling specific features of Bohr's model | 7× | 1–9 | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025 | Recalling specific features of Bohr's model |
| De Broglie matter wavesM8 Failing to distinguish work of de Broglie from Bohr | 7× | 1–4 | 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Failing to distinguish work of de Broglie from Bohr |
| Orbital motion and satellites explainedM5 Analysing forces not energy; manipulating equations | 7× | 1–3 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025 | Analysing forces not energy; manipulating equations |
| Mass-energy equivalence E = mc^2 and nuclear binding energyM7 Converting mass to energy with units; conservation of momentum | 6× | 1–7 | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024 | Converting mass to energy with units; conservation of momentum |
| Nuclear fission, fusion and binding energyM8 Mass in amu not energy; significant figures and rounding | 6× | 1–3 | 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025 | Mass in amu not energy; significant figures and rounding |
| Uniform circular motion explainedM5 Explaining only one change; not stating direction of change | 6× | 1–4 | 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024 | Explaining only one change; not stating direction of change |
| Kepler's laws of planetary motion explainedM5 Deriving equations; rearranging | 5× | 1–4 | 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Deriving equations; rearranging |
| Rutherford's nuclear atom and Chadwick's neutronM8 Not linking all three observations to rejected hypothesis | 5× | 1–3 | 2019, 2020, 2024 | Not linking all three observations to rejected hypothesis |
| Newton's law of universal gravitation explainedM5 Understanding 'hypothesis'; using calculations as evidence | 4× | 1–5 | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Understanding 'hypothesis'; using calculations as evidence |
| Origins of the elements and the Big BangM8 Question is about modelling too; using stimulus | 4× | 1–5 | 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024 | Question is about modelling too; using stimulus |
| Cathode rays and Thomson's e/mM8 Calling protons/neutrons fundamental particles | 3× | 4–5 | 2019, 2021, 2025 | Calling protons/neutrons fundamental particles |
| Relativistic momentum and particle acceleratorsM7 Using specific physics terms correctly | 3× | 2–3 | 2020, 2021, 2024 | Using specific physics terms correctly |
| Evidence for special relativityM7 Not familiar with specific experiments supporting relativity | 2× | 3 | 2019, 2024 | Not familiar with specific experiments supporting relativity |
| Schrodinger's wavefunction and atomic orbitalsM8 Linking each model to a specific scientist | 2× | 3–5 | 2021, 2025 | Linking each model to a specific scientist |
| Magnetic flux and flux densityM6 Substituting all values including unit field strength | 1× | 2 | 2020 | Substituting all values including unit field strength |
| Electric field strength and parallel platesM6 | — | — | not yet | — |
| Millikan's oil drop experimentM8 | — | — | not yet | — |