HSC Physics 2025
Walkthrough of the 2025 HSC Physics paper. Section structure, calculation strategy, and common errors flagged in the NESA notes from marking centre.
- Marks
- 100
- Time
- 180 min
- Authority
- NESA
- Updated
What this paper assessed
HSC Physics is one paper of 100 marks across 180 minutes plus 5 minutes reading time. Section 1 is 20 multiple choice (20 marks). Section 2 is short and extended response (80 marks). The 2025 paper kept the standard weighting across Modules 5 to 8.
Section strategy
Section 1 in 30 minutes. Section 2 at roughly 1.8 minutes per mark. State each equation with its variables defined; markers cannot award method marks if a candidate writes only numbers without identifying what they represent.
Common errors flagged
The 2025 NESA notes from marking centre flagged poor analysis of magnetic flux change problems, confused special relativity reasoning, and extended responses on quantum mechanics that named experiments without explaining their results.
What to do with this paper
Sit Section 1 in 30 minutes, then Section 2 in 150 minutes. Mark with the official guidelines and rebuild any calculation that lost more than half its marks. Maintain a personal error log.
Use this paper well
- Sit the paper under exam conditions (180 minutes, 100 marks).
- Mark yourself against the official NESA marking notes.
- Compare against the Physics hub to find the syllabus dot points this paper tested.