7 Tips to Study and Score Grade A In Your Physics Exam
Physics is one of the STEM subjects that many students find challenging in college. Getting an A+ in your college exam starts with your study habits and pre-exam preparations. A physics examination comprises theoretical and numerical problems that require higher-order thinking.
To excel in your end-semester physics exam, you must grasp all the course concepts and apply them in problem-solving. However, this should not scare you because we have researched and outlined proven tips to study and ace your physics exam.
4 Tips to Study Physics Fast and Effectively
You need to use the right strategies to internalize all concepts and apply them in solving problems before you sit for your exam. The study process begins before, during, and after your lecture. Here are four tips to help you master all concepts without strain.
Make it a Daily Routine
The easiest way to learn and digest scientific concepts is by breaking them down into sections and studying them individually. For example, in quantum physics, you can start with matter and energy and review sub-atomic particles as the unit progresses.
To grasp these concepts, you should study daily and allow your brain to digest what you learn before moving to the next idea. Be consistent and stick to your study timetable, and you will be amazed at how simple it is to internalize everything.
Review Your Lecture Notes and Write Key Concepts in Your Own Words
During your lecture, you should stay attentive and write all your notes. When studying, avoid rewriting your notes. This helps you gauge your understanding. Instead, read first and write what you have understood in your own words.
If your lecture assigned questions, ensure you tackle them as you read your notes. You can get past exam papers from your college library portal and attempt the questions. If you find some questions challenging, consult your friends or course instructor or do more research.
It is easier to attempt one or two questions daily from past exam papers than trying to do a whole paper at once. Instead, focus on one problem daily and research extensively on the area. To polish your understanding, answer several questions from different exam papers on each topic.
Study to Understand and Avoid Rote Learning
If you study and understand all concepts, you automatically memorize them. On the contrary, retaining concepts and formulae in your memory becomes impossible if you try cramming them without understanding them first. For example, the first law of thermodynamics is expressed mathematically as follows:
ΔU = q+w
To use the above expression in calculations and derive the other formulae in the topic, you must understand how to state it. That is, energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but you can transfer it. In the above expression, change in internal energy is the sum of heat transferred and work done.
Understanding the concepts and how to use them in derivations is the most effective way of retaining more than 90% of what you learn and a proven way of answering all questions correctly.
Unwind Before Exams
Your brain needs rest to function well during your physics exam. To achieve this, plan your time well and manage it effectively before the exam. In your study plan, aim to complete your study at least two days before you sit for your paper. This helps you recall everything in your subconscious memory.
While taking a break, you can survey all the topics you have studied and gauge how comfortable you are in each.
3 Tips to Help You Score A+ in Your Physics Exam
Good study habits help you prepare for your exam, but the wrong approach can ruin everything or cost you that quality grade you have worked for the whole semester. Before you sit for your next physics exam, these three tips will help you crack any question.
Relax and Read Each Question Carefully
Before you answer a question, relax and read it carefully. Better still, you should read the question twice to ensure you don't wander off the required concept when answering. Working out a question when tense can cause you to use the wrong formula or get inaccurate answers.
You have spent the whole semester preparing for this exam and have all the required concepts. Relax, solve all problems steadily, and ensure you include all details in your answer.
Answer One Question At a Time
Allocate enough time for each question and tackle one question exhaustively before you move to the next. This helps you answer every section precisely without omitting some points or skipping steps in your calculation. Furthermore, if you jump from one area to another, you may mix up points or use the wrong formula in calculations.
It is normal to find challenging parts in a question. Try to the next question and answer it systematically. After you have attempted all questions, revisit the parts you skipped, and you may find them simpler after recalling some concepts.
Do Your Best Without Aiming At Perfection
When writing your physics exam, write your answers to the best of your understanding. If you enter the examination room with a perfection mentality, one challenging question can send you into a “blackout.” Instead, answer all the questions you find simple precisely and leave challenging ones.
You may recall some ideas as the exam progresses and answer the questions you skipped later.
If you are required to draw a graph or diagram and analyze it, ensure you include all features and use your theoretical concepts in the analysis.
Bottomline
Studying for and sitting for your physics examination has never been simpler. If you constantly find Physics challenging, put the above tips into practice, and you will be amazed at how simple it is to excel in physics. Remember, excelling in physics begins with the right study habits.