The goal is simple: target Gold+ (Super Gold), maximize your score toward approximately 180 total points while leaving a 10% error margin. The table below lists the topics, labeled Q1 for Section 1 items and Q2+ for Section 2 questions. Point values are estimates and on the conservative side — my total comes to roughly 66 points, but the real achievable score should be higher.
Annual Fixtures with Fixed Knowledge Requirements
These topics appear every year in a recognizable form. The formulas and concepts are stable; question formats do not vary much; and the solution approach is therefore fairly fixed. With solid preparation here you can lock in the corresponding marks. Total estimated: ~28 points.
Vectors and 2-D Motion
Two-dimensional kinematics combined with vector methods. Appears every year, concentrated in Section 1, with high point value. Frequently involves transport scenarios (boats, planes) combined with trigonometry. Note the Bearing angle convention carefully. Estimated: 4 points.
| Year | Question | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Q1.m | 5 |
| 2022 | Q1.j | 4 |
| 2021 | Q1.e | 4 |
| 2020 | Q1.d | 4 |
| 2019 | Q1.h | 7 |
Photoelectric Effect and Radioactive Decay
Modern physics at high school level concentrates here. Memorize the photoelectric formula; understand the decay formula and its relationship to half-life. Concepts are slightly abstract but question types are predictable. Concentrated in Section 1. Estimated: 8 points.
| Year | Question | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Q1.i, Q1.j | 4+4 |
| 2022 | Q1.p, Q1.w | 3+5 |
| 2021 | Q1.p, Q1.t | 6+6 |
| 2020 | Q2 | ~20 |
| 2019 | Q1.p | 4 |
Basic Thermodynamics (Conduction, Thermal Expansion)
The most accessible part of BPhO. Knowing the formulas is essentially sufficient; calculation accuracy matters; know the thermal properties of water. Black-body radiation appears occasionally — understand the T⁴ relationship. Estimated: 8 points.
| Year | Question | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Q3 | ~10 |
| 2022 | Q1.i, Q1.o | 3+3 |
| 2021 | Q1.f, Q1.g, Q1.h | 3+4+3 |
| 2020 | Q1.n, Q1.o | 3+4 |
| 2019 | Q1.g, Q1.r | 5+5 |
Buoyancy
Straightforward Archimedes-principle questions have essentially disappeared. Modern BPhO buoyancy questions pair the principle with force analysis — the challenge is recovering the scenario clearly enough to find the buoyant force. Estimated: 4 points.
| Year | Question | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Q1.s | 6 |
| 2022 | Q1.g | 4 |
| 2021 | Q1.n | 4 |
| 2020 | Q3 | ~8 |
| 2019 | Q1.f, Q1.j | 4+5 |
Annual Fixtures with Broader Knowledge Requirements
These appear every year but with more varied question formats. The knowledge base is wider, but individual questions are not especially hard. Master these plus the section above and you are close to Gold even with some errors (estimated 41 points total). Total estimated: ~13 points.
Kinematics
1-D and 2-D motion: pursuit problems, free fall, projectile motion, basic differentiation. Appears at the start of the paper — warmup questions, relatively high yield. Estimated: 5 points.
Forces and Motion
F = ma applications at the introductory level. Wide variety of question types, but focused on the direct application of Newton's laws rather than momentum or energy (those appear later). Estimated: 8 points.
Annual Fixtures That Are Harder and Require More Preparation
Higher difficulty, more complex analysis, longer preparation cycles. These are the Super Gold content — fully mastering this section and the previous two gives you enough: estimated ~25 points for this section, ~66 combined, enough for Super Gold even accounting for errors.
Circuits
Categories: resistivity calculations; microscopic definition of current; equivalent resistance; equivalent capacitance; V=IR, Q=CV, and power calculations; Kirchhoff analysis; RC oscillator analysis. Fixed point value in Section 1; often appears in Section 2 as a full question. Estimated: 10 points.
| Year | Question | Points (S1 only) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Q1.g, Q1.p, Q1.q, Q5 | 3+5+5 |
| 2022 | Q1.m, Q1.n, Q1.v | 3+4+6 |
| 2021 | Q1.q, Q1.r, Q1.s, Q3 | 3+3+4 |
| 2020 | Q1.e, Q1.i, Q1.j, Q1.p | 3+4+4+5 |
| 2019 | Q1.e, Q1.o | 5+5 |
Gravitation and Rotation
Newton and his apple cast a long shadow over BPhO. The topics: gravitational potential energy, centre of mass, centripetal force and circular motion. Almost every Section 2 paper includes a gravitation question; the one year it was missing (2021), two appeared the following year. A full question is 25 points, but gravity is only part of the marks — even so, this area contributes 15+ points per year. Estimated: 15 points.
| Year | Question | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Q4 | ~25 |
| 2022 | Q1.c, Q1.d, Q4, Q5 | 3+2+~50 |
| 2021 | Q1.i, Q1.l | 5+5 |
| 2020 | Q5 | ~25 |
| 2019 | Q1.m, Q5 | 5+~25 |
Other Topics
The following topics are worth knowing but either do not appear every year or require disproportionate preparation time relative to marks available.
- Estimation and dimensional analysis — Not high-value, not especially hard. Good for developing physical intuition. Worth practicing.
- Energy and momentum — Either straightforward conservation or complex continuous-matter problems requiring calculus. Attempt the straightforward versions.
- Young's modulus — Appears roughly every other year. Stress/Strain definitions are the key; manageable once you know them.
- Oscillations and mechanical waves — Wide difficulty range. Requires solid grounding in oscillation equations and wave equations. Attempt early Section 1 appearances; skip late-paper versions.
- Light and interference — Geometric optics or interference (double slit, single slit, thin film). Drawing-intensive, often abstract. Worth preparing for as a Section 2 backup if circuits and gravitation feel uncertain.
- Electric charge, fields, and potential — Large knowledge base, abstract concepts. Worth studying if already covered; otherwise focus time on circuits.
- Ideal gas law — Appears occasionally. Not especially difficult.