F.A.Q - Frequently Asked Questions
How many topics are there?
In Year 11 there are three areas of study that we look at each semester, two compulsory subjects and one elective topic. In Year 12 there are five areas of study for the whole year, four compulsory and one elective topic. These topics are specified by the VCE study design which can be located on the VCCA website.
In Unit 1 the topics are; Electricity, Thermodynamics, and Matter
In Unit 2 the topics are; Motion, Astrophysics, and Experimental Investigation
Is there an exam?
In VCE Physics (yr 11) there are two exams, one each semester both in Year 11. In Year 11 these exams count towards your overall progress in Unit 1 and Unit 2 and contribute towards your S or N grade. In Year 12 there is one exam at the end of the year. It makes up 60% of your final mark for the subject.
Are we allowed to use a "cheat sheet"?
You are allowed to use a formula sheet for SACs and exams, which may provide you with some valuable help. They are not cheat sheets, because they do not enable you to cheat on assessment tasks.
You are only permitted to take 1 A4 sheet into the Year 11 exam. You may however write on both sides. It may be typed or handwritten and can include any information you think might assist you.
It is suggested that you should include formulas and units, diagrams, definitions and worked examples. This sheet must contain ALL the information you require for EACH of the three topics studied that semester, so use your space wisely.
Can I buy a formula sheet or use someone elses?
Whilst it is strongly suggested that you design your own formula sheet, there are no rules that disallow the use of commerically purchased forumla sheets or having an identical forumla sheet to another student. You must however have your own copy, you can NOT SHARE the sheet during any assessment tasks.
Why should I make my own formula sheet?
Making your own formula sheet is an important part of the study process. It allows you to sort out what is important information and where your areas of weakness in Physics are. Starting one early in the year and USING it during your study and assessment tasks allows you to create a sheet that focuses on the assistance you personally require in the exam. Commerically made sheets or your friends sheet may exclude key things you struggle with, or have large sections devoted to concepts you already know.
It is also important to make your own formula sheet for assessment from a time management point of view. Each assessment task has a time limit. If you know where different concepts are located on your formula sheet, you will not waste time during assessment tasks looking for that information.
What calculator can I use for Physics?
You are permitted to use a calculator for Physics but it must be a scientific calculator. Graphics calculators, like those required for Mathematics Methods CAS or Specalists Mathematics CAS, are NOT PERMITTED in Physics.
If you are unsure if you have an allowable calculator check with your teacher ASAP BEFORE THE DAY OF THE ASSESSMENT! Scientific calculators are very inexpensive and can often be picked up for around $20 or may be borrowed from younger students.
It is strongly recommended that you do have your own instead of borrowing the calculator as a common complaint during assessment tasks is that students can not find buttons or functions on the calculator. The teacher can not teach you to use it during the assessment task, so make sure you can use if before the day.
How much study should I do for Physics?
It is recommended by the government that students in VCE complete 1 hour of study per class they take each day. So if you have three classes on Monday then you should do 3 hours of study. (Remember study periods, if used wisely can be part of those 3 hours!)
We do understand that it is not always possible to complete this each night, due to work or extra curriculum activites. At a minimum it would be recomended that you complete 1/2 hour of study and try to take some time on the weekend or holidays to complete some extra study.
Remember there are ways to study and still maintain a social life. Use long bus trips to study or listen to podcasts while going for a run. Study does not have to be completing questions sitting at a desk the whole time. (But it is useful to do that sometimes.)
What do you mean by study? Isn't that just homework?
No! Homework and study not the same thing. Sometimes your study will be completing homework, doing past exam papers or checkpoint questions. However, a large part of studying is also revising the work completed in class. Reread notes, start your formula sheet, explain what you have learnt to somebody else, write out more detailed notes, read the textbook or another book, create a list of questions to ask on the message board or in class.
If you need help with this there are teachers and students at school who can help you work out some study techniques. Your class teacher, year level co-ordinator, VCE supportive friends or Mary-Ann would be a good place to start.
In Year 11 there are three areas of study that we look at each semester, two compulsory subjects and one elective topic. In Year 12 there are five areas of study for the whole year, four compulsory and one elective topic. These topics are specified by the VCE study design which can be located on the VCCA website.
In Unit 1 the topics are; Electricity, Thermodynamics, and Matter
In Unit 2 the topics are; Motion, Astrophysics, and Experimental Investigation
Is there an exam?
In VCE Physics (yr 11) there are two exams, one each semester both in Year 11. In Year 11 these exams count towards your overall progress in Unit 1 and Unit 2 and contribute towards your S or N grade. In Year 12 there is one exam at the end of the year. It makes up 60% of your final mark for the subject.
Are we allowed to use a "cheat sheet"?
You are allowed to use a formula sheet for SACs and exams, which may provide you with some valuable help. They are not cheat sheets, because they do not enable you to cheat on assessment tasks.
You are only permitted to take 1 A4 sheet into the Year 11 exam. You may however write on both sides. It may be typed or handwritten and can include any information you think might assist you.
It is suggested that you should include formulas and units, diagrams, definitions and worked examples. This sheet must contain ALL the information you require for EACH of the three topics studied that semester, so use your space wisely.
Can I buy a formula sheet or use someone elses?
Whilst it is strongly suggested that you design your own formula sheet, there are no rules that disallow the use of commerically purchased forumla sheets or having an identical forumla sheet to another student. You must however have your own copy, you can NOT SHARE the sheet during any assessment tasks.
Why should I make my own formula sheet?
Making your own formula sheet is an important part of the study process. It allows you to sort out what is important information and where your areas of weakness in Physics are. Starting one early in the year and USING it during your study and assessment tasks allows you to create a sheet that focuses on the assistance you personally require in the exam. Commerically made sheets or your friends sheet may exclude key things you struggle with, or have large sections devoted to concepts you already know.
It is also important to make your own formula sheet for assessment from a time management point of view. Each assessment task has a time limit. If you know where different concepts are located on your formula sheet, you will not waste time during assessment tasks looking for that information.
What calculator can I use for Physics?
You are permitted to use a calculator for Physics but it must be a scientific calculator. Graphics calculators, like those required for Mathematics Methods CAS or Specalists Mathematics CAS, are NOT PERMITTED in Physics.
If you are unsure if you have an allowable calculator check with your teacher ASAP BEFORE THE DAY OF THE ASSESSMENT! Scientific calculators are very inexpensive and can often be picked up for around $20 or may be borrowed from younger students.
It is strongly recommended that you do have your own instead of borrowing the calculator as a common complaint during assessment tasks is that students can not find buttons or functions on the calculator. The teacher can not teach you to use it during the assessment task, so make sure you can use if before the day.
How much study should I do for Physics?
It is recommended by the government that students in VCE complete 1 hour of study per class they take each day. So if you have three classes on Monday then you should do 3 hours of study. (Remember study periods, if used wisely can be part of those 3 hours!)
We do understand that it is not always possible to complete this each night, due to work or extra curriculum activites. At a minimum it would be recomended that you complete 1/2 hour of study and try to take some time on the weekend or holidays to complete some extra study.
Remember there are ways to study and still maintain a social life. Use long bus trips to study or listen to podcasts while going for a run. Study does not have to be completing questions sitting at a desk the whole time. (But it is useful to do that sometimes.)
What do you mean by study? Isn't that just homework?
No! Homework and study not the same thing. Sometimes your study will be completing homework, doing past exam papers or checkpoint questions. However, a large part of studying is also revising the work completed in class. Reread notes, start your formula sheet, explain what you have learnt to somebody else, write out more detailed notes, read the textbook or another book, create a list of questions to ask on the message board or in class.
If you need help with this there are teachers and students at school who can help you work out some study techniques. Your class teacher, year level co-ordinator, VCE supportive friends or Mary-Ann would be a good place to start.