Physics is a crucial subject if you're planning to dive into fields like science, engineering, computing, or IT. Having a good grasp of physics is key if you want to get into higher education programs at polytechnics or universities in Singapore.
If you're studying A-level physics, it's important to be curious, have a knack for math, and pay close attention to all the important concepts.
Now that you’ve got a better idea of what’s in store and what you need to focus on, let’s check out what the A-level physics subject is all about. We’ll go over the format, the marking scheme, and also some cool career options for physics majors.
What to Expect from A-level Physics Subject?
Deciding to study physics at the H1, H2, or H3 level is a pretty exciting move in your academic life. It’s important to know what this choice means because it can influence your education and future job options. Physics is a respected subject in the science field, known for being challenging but also really fulfilling and interesting.
As you dive into this journey, be prepared to engage deeply with complex equations and a comprehensive syllabus that covers a range of topics, from classical mechanics and electromagnetism to modern physics and quantum theory. This subject is going to challenge your analytical thinking and help you level up your problem-solving skills in a creative way.
If you want to do well in Physics, it’s important to spend enough time studying and building a solid foundation in math and science basics. Knowing these fundamentals will help you tackle more complicated ideas later on. Furthermore, make sure to manage your time well across all your subjects. This is an important tip to achieve top scores in A-levels.
Instead of just trying to memorise everything, which can feel like a ton of information to cram, it's better to understand the main ideas and concepts. Getting a handle on these basics is crucial for dealing with exam questions since a lot of problems will ask you to use what you know rather than just recalling what you have read.
Tackle the challenges that come your way and keep in mind that getting a grip on A-level physics comes from understanding the concepts, not just cramming facts. Getting involved with the material, asking for help when you’re stuck, and teaming up with friends will make your learning journey better and help you explore the cool world of Physics more successfully.
H1 Exam Format & Weightage
There are two papers for the H1 level syllabus:
Paper 1
- Paper Type: Multiple Choice
- Duration: 1 hour
- Marks: 30
- Weightage: 33%
This paper includes 30 multiple-choice questions, all designed as direct-choice types with four options.
Paper 2
- Paper Type: Structured Questions
- Duration: 2 hours
- Marks: 80
- Weightage: 67%
This paper is composed of two sections. All answers must be clearly presented in the spaces provided on the Question Paper.
Section A carries 60 marks. This section will include a series of structured questions, all of which are compulsory. Among these, there will be one or two data-based questions that will carry a total of 15 to 20 marks.
Section B carries 20 marks. This section has two 20-mark questions, and candidates must answer one. The questions will effectively challenge candidates to integrate their knowledge and understanding of various areas of the A-level physics syllabus.
H2 Exam Format & Weightage
The H2 exam format is a bit more detailed, featuring four papers to tackle:
Paper 1
- Paper Type: Multiple Choice
- Duration: 1 hour
- Marks: 30
- Weightage: 15%
This paper includes 30 multiple-choice questions, all designed as direct-choice types with four options.
Paper 2
- Paper Type: Structured Questions
- Duration: 2 hours
- Marks: 80
- Weightage: 30%
This paper features a comprehensive set of structured questions, along with one or two data-based questions. Candidates will be required to integrate knowledge and understanding from various areas of the syllabus. All questions are compulsory, and responses should be provided in the designated spaces on the Question Paper. The data-based questions will account for 20–25 marks, emphasising their significance in the overall assessment.
Check out How to Ace A Levels Physics 2025!
Paper 3
- Paper Type: Longer Structured Questions
- Duration: 2 hours
- Marks: 80
- Weightage: 35%
This paper is structured into two comprehensive sections that will challenge candidates to seamlessly integrate their knowledge and understanding across various syllabus areas. Responses must be provided in the spaces designated on the question paper. Section A is valued at 60 marks and includes a variable number of structured questions, all compulsory. Section B, worth 20 marks, offers a choice of one between two 20-mark questions, allowing candidates to showcase their strengths.
Paper 4
- Paper Type: Practical
- Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Marks: 55
- Weightage: 20%
This paper will encompass planning (P), manipulation, measurement and observation (MMO), presentation of data and observations (PDO), as well as analysis, conclusions and evaluation (ACE).
The Planning (P) assessment will count for 5%. The skill areas MMO, PDO, and ACE will be 15%. The PDO and ACE assessments might also have some questions about data analysis that don’t need any special equipment.
Candidates will have a set amount of time to use the equipment and materials for specific questions (check out page 28 of the H2 Physics syllabus for details). Just a heads up, candidates won’t be allowed to look at books or lab notebooks during the assessment.
H3 Exam Format & Weightage
The H3 exam has a single paper with a duration of three hours, divided into two sections. It will feature questions that assess candidates' ability to combine knowledge and insights from various parts of the syllabus. Please refer to the details below:
Section A
- Marks: 60
- Weightage: 25%
This part will include a varying number of compulsory structured questions. The final question will be based on a stimulus and will be worth 15 to 20 marks.
Section B
- Marks: 40
- Weightage: 75%
This section will feature a choice of two out of three longer structured questions, each worth 20 marks. The questions will be designed in a way that knowledge of differential and/or integral calculus will be beneficial.
Are you looking for additional tools and resources for A-level physics? Click here!
Career Pathways in the Field of Physics
Engineering
The engineering field offers a ton of career options for anyone with a background in physics, especially in manufacturing and technology-related jobs. Physics graduates often focus on making products better and improving how things are made.
They can find work with all sorts of employers in different industries, including healthcare, energy, transportation, defence, space exploration, and telecommunications. With such a wide range of choices, they can find rewarding careers that put their skills and knowledge to good use in creative ways.
Healthcare
Physicists are teaming up with biomedical engineers to come up with and manage medical equipment and technologies. Graduates usually land jobs in areas like cardiology, neurology, radiology, radiation oncology, and nuclear medicine, helping them grow their careers in Physics. A solid understanding of physics, radiation detection, and material science, along with a master’s degree in medical physics, can enhance your prospects in medical tech firms, research facilities, healthcare organisations, and educational institutions.
Technology
The technology industry is always buzzing with new growth and fresh ideas, presenting loads of opportunities and challenges for those looking to make their mark. Physics graduates have the chance to team up with all sorts of specialists to come up with innovative products and concepts. Right now, there’s a big demand for research and development professionals in exciting fields like robotics, nanoscience, and nanotechnology.
Careers in technology related to physics can be found in both public and private research places. Graduates have plenty of job opportunities at major technology companies that are always on the lookout for creative and talented researchers from all over the world.
Education
If you think that going for a career in physics education only means becoming a secondary school science teacher, think again! That’s just one of the many options you can choose from. As a teacher or lecturer, it's vital to understand the physics you're teaching and the curriculum you're working with. Plus, you'll want to have some extra knowledge on hand to satisfy the curiosity of those eager students who love to ask questions.
Having good organisational skills is important, and it's crucial to make learning fun and interesting for your students. A great teacher also inspires their students to keep learning even when they're not in class.
On the other hand, a career in physics education may also open doors to opportunities within local or national government, where you could influence how physics is taught in schools, for instance.
Looking for a flexible way to learn physics? Superprof has you covered! Check out the Superprof Singapore homepage to browse through tutor profiles. You can choose between in-person or online tutoring that fits what you’re looking for. Each tutor's profile has all the important information, like their teaching experience, the subjects they cover, their teaching style, and how much they charge per hour.
At Superprof, finding the right tutor is so easy. You can filter profiles based on what you want to learn (physics), your skill level (A-level), how you want to learn (in-person or online), and how much you’re willing to spend.
After making your choice, you can reach out to the tutor and start your first lesson! Many Superprof tutors provide a free initial lesson, so be sure to take advantage of this offer!
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