To pass a physics exam you need to be careful in class and study this subject regularly, so that you understand well the fundamental concepts that you have been taught. To do this, you can use various study methods together with your peers, which will help you consolidate your knowledge. On the day of the exam, it's important to be well rested, eat right, and stay calm during the test. If you have studied properly before the test day, you will feel much more confident.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Making the Most of the Course
Step 1. Start studying a couple of days or weeks before the exam
You won't be able to get good grades on a physics test if you only review all important information the night before the assignment. Commit to learning, understanding, and practicing physics problems for a couple of days or even weeks before your exam date so that you are fully prepared on the day of the test.
Understanding the information that will be the subject of the exam will make you feel more confident during the test
Step 2. Review the topics that will be examined
You can find out what the test will be about based on the topics covered in class so far and the checks received for home. Review the notes you took in class, then study and memorize the most important equations and concepts you will need for the test.
For example, one of the questions might be about Newton's first law of motion. To answer, you can write: "An object at rest remains at rest and an object in motion remains in motion until the intervention of an unbalanced force"
Step 3. Read the lesson before going to class
By already knowing the text before taking the physics course, it will become easier to follow your professor. Many concepts in this subject are based on those learned previously. Identify which parts you have the most difficulty understanding and write down the questions you would like to ask the teacher.
For example, if you've already learned how to calculate speed, acceleration is likely to be next. Knowing the text in advance will help you absorb the material better
Step 4. Solve new problems when you are not in class
Spend at least 2-3 hours studying and solving new equations for each hour of class. Repetition helps you understand concepts better and prepares you to solve exam questions.
If you wish, you can set a deadline for questions to replicate the exam conditions
Step 5. Review and check your homework
Browse the exercises and try to solve the questions that have given you the most problems or that you have been wrong. Many professors include equations similar to home exercises in their exams, so look at them all.
You should also review the questions you answered correctly, in order to review the exam topics
Step 6. Attend all classes and always be attentive
In physics, new concepts are developed on the basis of previous ones, so it is important not to skip lessons and not to postpone learning, because it is very easy to fall behind. If you are unable to attend a lesson, be sure to borrow your notes and read the corresponding chapter in the textbook.
If you can't go to class because you are ill or in an emergency, ask the teacher what you should study while you are away
Method 2 of 3: Use the Most Effective Study Strategies
Step 1. Memorize what the most important variables represent
Since physics uses variables within equations, it's important to know what they represent, otherwise you won't be able to answer the questions. Some of the more common variables are "A" for area, "V" for volume, lowercase "v" for velocity, and lowercase "m" for mass. It is best to focus on the variables that will be present on the exam.
- Acceleration is represented by a lowercase "a" and momentum by a lowercase "p".
- Other important variables include "F" for strength, "T" for torque, and "I" for electric current strength.
Step 2. Study the important formulas
Knowing the basic principles of physics allows you to better understand the exam questions. Some of the most important physical formulas include the calculation of force, mass and torque.
- Physics also includes concepts such as Newton's laws of motion, gravity, vibrations and waves.
- For example, d / t = s, or total distance, divided by time, equals average speed, is the equation that determines the average speed of an object that has moved a certain distance.
- To find the average acceleration of an object, you need to divide the object's speed by the time it has traveled, i.e. a = v / t.
Step 3. Beware of unit conversions
Physics professors often include variables with different units of measure, so that you have pitfalls during an exam. Make sure you always read the question in full, including the units of measure, so that you remember to convert them before solving the equation, otherwise you will get a wrong result.
-
For example, if the equation asks you to determine the distance traveled by a train, you can solve it by multiplying the speed by the time. However, if the equation asks how far the train has traveled in 5 minutes at a speed of 100 km / h, you will need to convert 5 minutes into its equivalent in hours, i.e. 5 minutes / 60 minutes (1 hour) = 0.083 hours.
Instead of writing the equation as 100 km / h x 5 minutes, it will become 100 km / h x 0.083 hours = 8.3 kilometers
Step 4. Draw charts to better understand the most important concepts
Many physics questions dealing with forces can be represented with diagrams or graphs. If you can't solve a calculation or equation, try drawing a graph to better understand the question and its concepts.
For example, you can draw a square object and trace the forces that move it with arrows. This can help you determine values such as speed
Step 5. Study with a friend
Work in a collaborative environment, so you can ask other students questions when you feel stuck. Plus, you can use your physics skills to help others, thus increasing your knowledge more than you could on your own.
Step 6. Use cards to memorize words and equations
Write the name of the equation on one side of the card and the formula on the other. Ask another person to read the name of the equation and try to recite it by heart.
- For example, you can write "speed" on one side of the ticket and write the formula to calculate it, ie "v = s / t", on the other side.
- You can write "Newton's Second Law" on one side of the card and write the formula "∑F = ma" on the other side.
Step 7. Consider previous exams to find out which topics you have the most trouble with
If you have the exam texts that your professor has proposed in the past, you should consult them and focus on the questions or concepts that you did not understand well. This will help you improve your weaknesses and get a higher grade.
This tip is especially useful for exams that test the knowledge you have accumulated throughout your college year
Method 3 of 3: Prepare for the Exam
Step 1. Get 7-8 hours of sleep the night before the exam
By getting enough sleep, you will improve your memory and will be able to answer physics questions better. If you go through the night and don't rest, you probably won't remember the information you have studied.
- Even if the exam is at noon, it is best to get up early and mentally prepare well in advance.
- Since physics requires complex critical thinking, it is best to take the exam when you are awake and alert.
- By going to sleep at regular times, you will be able to learn more about what you study.
Step 2. Eat a healthy breakfast on exam day
With a breakfast rich in slow-release carbohydrates, such as those found in cereals or wholemeal bread, you will perform better on the exam. You should also have proteins, such as eggs, yogurt, or milk, to keep you full for longer. For even more energy, finish your meal with high-fiber fruits, such as apples, bananas or pears.
Eating a healthy breakfast before the exam helps you remember information better
Step 3. Stay calm and confident during the exam
If you feel stressed, inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. The day before the test, find out where it will take place and how to get to that room. Be there at least 15 minutes early to eliminate the nervousness of a possible delay.
The more you have studied and the more prepared you will be, the more confident you will feel during the exam
Step 4. Read all questions carefully before answering
Before you start writing your answer, you should make sure you understand the question perfectly. If a question stops you, skip it and come back to it later. Read all questions carefully and in full, so as not to waste time with wrong solutions.
Pay particular attention to unit conversions, so you don't get to wrong solutions
Step 5. Explain your reasoning for each question
Many physics professors give a few points to questions even when you can't give the exact solution to a problem. Write detailed explanations and draw graphs to demonstrate your reasoning.
