IGCSE English as a Second Language: Listening, Writing, and Speaking
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The short-answer questions and structured questions on Papers 3 (Core) and 4 (Extended) are designed to test the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of physics theory and the ability to apply the knowledge to situations described on the paper. This article includes tips on how to read the questions and advice in particular items.
Read the question once right through and then again more slowly. It is best to highlight the main features of a question by underlining or circling the keywords in the question. This will help you decide which area of physics is being asked. Any explanation of the relevant physics statement that does not answer the question set will not earn marks.
The questions usually include stimulus materials that contain all the relevant information. The information can be given in different ways: a diagram, a graph or a table. Study the materials thoroughly as they often provide clues and answers to the question. Read the introductory sentences as it often includes information that is required in your answer.
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Command words aim to guide the candidates in providing the right response to each question. It is best to review each of these phrases and words to understand the meaning of a term. A table of command words and its brief definition are listed below. However, the meaning of a term may vary slightly according to how the question is worded.
| Command word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Calculate | work out from given facts, figures or information |
| Comment | give an informed opinion |
| Compare | identify/comment on similarities and/or differences |
| Deduce | conclude from available information |
| Define | give precise meaning |
| Describe | state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features |
| Determine | establish an answer using the information available |
| Explain | set out purposes or reasons / make the relationships between things clear / say why and/or how and support with relevant evidence |
| Give | produce an answer from a given source or recall/memory |
| Identify | name/select/recognise |
| Justify | support a case with evidence/argument |
| Predict | suggest what may happen based on available information |
| Sketch | make a simple freehand drawing showing the key features, taking care over proportions |
| State | express in clear terms |
| Suggest | apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses in order to make proposals / put forward considerations |
All science papers include calculations. You should learn a set method for solving a calculation and use that method. You must write out all the working for your calculation as it can gain marks for the method even if there’s a mistake with the final answer. For example, if there are three marks available for a calculation, two of the three marks are for showing the proper method of calculation.
Some questions require you to carry out the calculation and add the result to a table. In these cases, your answer must be the same way as the figures are given. Be consistent with your final answers. If the figures are 5.63 and 4.65, then the answer should be given to two decimal places. Even if the answer is a whole number, the answer should be written as 7.00, not 7. When using a calculator, round up or down the figures – don’t copy all the figures after the decimal point.
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Candidates must be able to state symbols for the different physical quantities and, where indicated, state the units in which they are measured. The table below lists the quantity, the usual symbol and usual unit used in Physics syllabus.
Familiarise with the following multipliers: M mega, k kilo, c centi, m milli as these may be included in many calculations. Make sure to show the units in the calculation. If the units are not given on the answer line, then always write them after the numerical answer.
| Core | Supplement | ||||
| Quantity | Usual symbol | Usual unit | Quantity | Usual symbol | Usual unit |
| length | 𝑙, ℎ, 𝑑, 𝑠, 𝑥 | km, m, cm, mm | |||
| area | 𝐴 | m2, cm2 | |||
| volume | 𝑉 | m3, cm3, dm3 | |||
| weight | 𝑊 | N | |||
| Mass | 𝑚, 𝑀 | kg, g | Mass | 𝑚, 𝑀 | mg |
| time | 𝑡 | h, min, s | time | 𝑡 | ms, μs |
| density | ρ | g/cm3, kg/m3 | |||
| speed | 𝑢, 𝑣 | km/h, m/s, cm/s | |||
| acceleration | 𝑎 | m/s2 | |||
| acceleration of free fall | 𝑔 | m/s2 | |||
| force | 𝐹 | N | |||
| gravitational field strength | 𝑔 | N/kg | |||
| spring constant | 𝑘 | N/m, N/cm | |||
| momentum | 𝑝 | kg m/s | |||
| impulse | N s | ||||
| moment of a force | N m | ||||
| work done | 𝑊 | J, kJ, MJ | |||
| energy | 𝐸 | J, kJ, MJ, kWh | |||
| power | 𝑃 | W, kW, MW | |||
| presure | 𝑝 | N/m2, N/cm2 | presure | 𝑝 | Pa |
| temperature | θ, 𝑇 | °C, K | |||
| specific heat capacity | 𝑐 | J /(g°C), J/(kg°C) | |||
| frequency | 𝑓 | Hz, kHz | |||
| wavelength | λ | m, cm | wavelength | λ | nm |
| focal length | 𝑓 | m, cm | |||
| angle of incidence | 𝑖 | degree (°) | |||
| angle of reflection | 𝑟 | degree (°) | |||
| angle of refraction | 𝑟 | degree (°) | |||
| critical angle | 𝑐 | degree (°) | |||
| refractive index | 𝑛 | ||||
| potential difference / voltage | 𝑉 | V, mV, kV | |||
| current | 𝐼 | A, mA | |||
| e.m.f. | 𝐸 | V | |||
| resistance | 𝑅 | Ω | |||
| charge | 𝘘 | C | |||
| count rate | counts / s, counts / min | ||||
| half-life | s, min, h, days, weeks, year | ||||
| Hubble constant | 𝐻0 | s–1 | |||
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* Note: All relevant info taken from CIE.
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41 responses
How many significant figures or decimal places do we have to write the final answer in calculation questions in physics
Hi there,
Thank you for writing in.
Candidates should round their final answer to 2 significant figures unless otherwise stated.
We hope this helps!
How many significant figures do we have to write the final answer in calculation questions in physics
Hi there,
Thank you for writing in.
Candidates should round their final answer to 2 significant figures unless otherwise stated.
We hope this helps!