The National 5 Physics exam is made up of two question papers. Paper 1 is a multiple choice paper. Paper 2 is made up of questions with several parts that need written answers.
To prepare for the exam, it is worth paying close attention to the specimen paper available on the SQA website.
Not only is this a full length exam of the type in the SQA exam, but it also contains the detailed marking advice similar to that used by markers.
Referring to the detailed marking allows candidates to see what is or is not accepted and how many marks are awarded for partial answers.
It is also worth reading the ‘general marking instructions’ included in the specimen paper.
Page 1 describes the general marking principles.
Page 2 summarises the command statements used in all questions.
Page 3 covers the way 3 marks are awarded for a standard calculation including what will or will not gain marks.
Overall, if the National 5 physics exam was a game, these general marking instructions are the rules of the game. Very few sportspeople compete in a game for which they don't know the rules.
Also available on the SQA website are the course reports from previous years. Written by the team who marked the papers that year, the course report summarises which questions were answered well and which presented greater difficulty. This is essential reading for those candidates wanting to maximise the marks in the exam from solid revision.
There is an ‘advice for candidates’ section which will be of use to all who have attempted the past paper and revised their answers with reference to the marking scheme.
Reading such documents are not a substitute for good understanding of the course and adequate revision. However they can help to ensure fewer marks are lost due to poor exam technique.
