⚡ 12 Weeks to Physics Exam Success
The 12-week course includes two online lessons of 1 hour each, plus one-to-one intervention as and when needed.
The course will be modified and tailored to individual needs, but there is an overall plan and schedule of work.
This is what is envisaged:
OCR A Level Physics Booster (Year 1 + Core Year 2 Content)
- 2 × 1-hour small-group sessions per week
- Optional one-to-one tutorials for extra support
- Every week: exam-style challenge, reflection task, and interleaving of past topics
Week 1 – Core Principles of Measurement and Motion
Session 1: Physical quantities, units, uncertainties, vectors and scalars
Session 2: Kinematics – graphs, equations of motion, multi-step problems
- 🔹 Challenge: Derive SUVAT equations from first principles
- 🔄 Interleaving: Short recap of forces in equilibrium (links to motion)
- 📝 Reflection: “Confidence scale” for core equations
Week 2 – Dynamics and Forces in Context
Session 1: Newton’s Laws, equilibrium, resolving forces
Session 2: Work, energy, momentum in collisions
- 🔹 Challenge: Mixed-problem set requiring synthesis of laws
- 🔄 Interleaving: Quick circuit recall quiz to connect maths methods across topics
- 📝 Reflection: 3-minute summary — “What did I find hardest, and why?”
Week 3 – Materials and Circuits I
Session 1: Stress–strain, Young modulus, elastic energy
Session 2: Current–voltage relationships, resistance, modelling circuits
- 🔹 Challenge: Analyse and interpret experimental data with uncertainties
- 🔄 Interleaving: Mechanics mini-test on SUVAT and forces
- 📝 Reflection: Peer-mark exam responses and give feedback
Week 4 – Circuits II
Session 1: Potential dividers, EMF, internal resistance
Session 2: Kirchhoff’s laws and problem-solving
- 🔹 Challenge: Extended past-paper circuit problem under time limit
- 🔄 Interleaving: Materials (stress–strain graphs) quick-recall warm-up
- 📝 Reflection: Mind map linking the circuit laws
Week 5 – Waves and Interference
Session 1: Progressive and stationary waves
Session 2: Superposition, diffraction, double-slit experiment
- 🔹 Challenge: Explain interference patterns in extended written form
- 🔄 Interleaving: Quick-fire electricity definitions and formula recall
- 📝 Reflection: Create one exam-style wave question for a peer
Week 6 – Quantum and Year 1 Review
Session 1: Photoelectric effect, photons, energy levels
Session 2: Year 1 synoptic review – mixed-topic practice
- 🔹 Challenge: Timed section from a past paper
- 🔄 Interleaving: Mechanics + waves + circuits blended
- 📝 Reflection: Identify top 3 weak spots for Year 2
Week 7 – Thermal Physics and Circular Motion
Session 1: Gas laws, kinetic theory, molecular model
Session 2: Circular motion, centripetal force, orbital applications
- 🔹 Challenge: Derivation-heavy questions and data handling
- 🔄 Interleaving: Recall of photoelectric effect & Young’s modulus
- 📝 Reflection: “One insight that surprised me”
Week 8 – Oscillations and Gravitation
Session 1: SHM, equations, resonance, damping
Session 2: Gravitational fields, planetary motion
- 🔹 Challenge: Multi-step gravitation problems with algebra
- 🔄 Interleaving: Thermodynamics quick-quiz
- 📝 Reflection: Rank topics by “exam readiness”
Week 9 – Electric and Magnetic Fields
Session 1: Electric fields, capacitors, energy storage
Session 2: Magnetic fields, charged particles, applications
- 🔹 Challenge: Complex exam-style problems; defend reasoning to peers
- 🔄 Interleaving: SHM multiple-choice questions
- 📝 Reflection: “If I had to teach this, what would I emphasise?”
Week 10 – Nuclear and Particle Physics
Session 1: Nuclear decay, half-life, applications
Session 2: Particle physics, the Standard Model
- 🔹 Challenge: Essay-style questions on experimental evidence
- 🔄 Interleaving: Gravitation flash recall
- 📝 Reflection: Design a recall quiz for peers
Week 11 – Applied Physics (Medical & Astrophysics)
Session 1: Imaging: ultrasound, X-rays, medical applications
Session 2: Cosmology: Hubble’s law, standard candles, big bang model
- 🔹 Challenge: Interpret real astrophysics data with calculations
- 🔄 Interleaving: Circuits mini-test
- 📝 Reflection: Group discussion — how does physics link across fields?
Week 12 – Synoptic Review and Exam Technique
Session 1: Student-led weak topic clinics — rotate by need
Session 2: Exam strategy workshop — timing, structure, avoiding traps
- 🔹 Challenge: Mock paper extract under timed conditions; peer-marking
- 🔄 Interleaving: Mixed quick-fire recall from every major topic
- 📝 Reflection: Personal revision plan for final run-up to exams
Why this works
- Interleaving strengthens memory by mixing topics.
- Reflection builds metacognition so pupils know their strengths and weaknesses.
- Challenge tasks push beyond comfort level and simulate exam pressure.
