What the board asks

We went through the ISC board papers, question by question, and matched each question to a topic. Here is what was asked, how often, and what was never asked.

Physics: 427 topics in the 2027 syllabus, across 9 units. The board has asked 269 of them at least once. 158 were never asked in the papers we checked.

Pick a unit

P6 Optics

This unit carries about 18 marks in the paper. We split it into 76 topics: each is one thing an examiner can ask, and you can practise it on paper in 5 to 25 minutes. The board has asked 55 of them. 21 were never asked. The top 5 topics make 18% of all the times this unit was asked. Last asked: Specimen 2027.

The syllabus says: Rainbow: ray diagram, no derivation. Silvering of lens excluded. Compound microscope with final image at infinity: expression only. Refraction through a prism and lens on the basis of Huygens' theory not required. Mathematical deduction of interference from the equations of two progressive waves not required. Single slit diffraction: elementary explanation, qualitative treatment only. Refraction at a spherical surface: detailed discussion of one case only.

55asked by the board at least once

21in the syllabus, never asked

109times a topic of this unit was asked

12.1hours for one attempt at every topic

What the papers ask most

  • Lenses: give-reason on focal length, nature and brightness4 times, last Specimen 2027
  • Reflecting versus refracting telescope: advantages and disadvantages4 times, last Specimen 2027
  • Compound microscope versus astronomical telescope: lenses and reasons4 times, last Specimen 2027
  • Double slit: changing lambda, d, D; closing one slit4 times, last Specimen 2027
  • Prove the law of reflection using Huygens' principle4 times, last 2026
  • Dispersion: give-reason and judge-the-claim items3 times, last Specimen 2027
  • Compare interference fringes with single slit diffraction pattern3 times, last Specimen 2027
  • Numericals: lens maker's formula for biconvex, biconcave, plano-convex lenses3 times, last 2026
  • Numericals: power and focal length of lenses in contact3 times, last 2026
  • Derive the prism formula for minimum deviation3 times, last 2025

In the syllabus, never asked (21)

They can still come, because they are in the syllabus. Give each one clean attempt. Your plan has two practice questions for each.

  • Spherical mirrors: terms, sign convention, magnificationStatement
  • Derive the mirror formula for a concave mirrorDerivation
  • Combination of media: prove 1n2.2n3.3n1 = 1Derivation
  • Real and apparent depth: relation with ray diagramDerivation
  • Numericals: Snell's law, speed and wavelength in a mediumNumericals
  • Numericals: real depth, apparent depth and shiftNumericals
  • Total reflecting prism: deviation by 90 and 180 deg, erectingDiagram
  • Everyday effects of refraction and total internal reflectionGive reason
  • Thin prism: derive delta = (n-1)A and use itDerivation
  • Derive the lens maker's formula for a biconvex lensDerivation
  • Derive the thin lens formula and m = v/uDerivation
  • Numericals: thin lens formula, magnification and powerNumericals
  • Numericals: image formed by two separated coaxial lensesNumericals
  • Numericals: lens and mirror combination, step by stepNumericals
  • Simple microscope, image at infinity: ray diagram and derivationDerivation
  • Compound microscope, final image at infinity: expression onlyStatement
  • Refracting telescope, image at D: ray diagram and derivationDerivation
  • Numericals: telescope magnifying power and tube lengthNumericals
  • Phase, path difference, phase difference, superposition: definitionsStatement
  • Single slit diffraction: set-up diagram and patternDiagram
  • Single slit: conditions for minima and secondary maximaDerivation

All the topics in Physics: Optics →

The 10 topics Physics papers ask most

Counted on the board papers from 2018 to the 2027 specimen paper, which every unit has been checked against.

  1. 1.Numericals: peak, rms, mean, frequency from an ac equationP4 Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents · asked 7 times since 2018
  2. 2.Uses and special properties of each region (table)P5 Electromagnetic Waves · asked 7 times since 2018
  3. 3.State Bohr's postulates for the hydrogen atomP8 Atoms and Nuclei · asked 7 times since 2018
  4. 4.Magnetic force on a moving charge and Lorentz forceP3 Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism · asked 6 times since 2018
  5. 5.Numericals: average power and power factorP4 Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents · asked 6 times since 2018
  6. 6.Doping, n-type and p-type, donors, acceptors, carriersP9 Electronic Devices · asked 6 times since 2018
  7. 7.Numericals: two-loop network with two batteries (Kirchhoff)P2 Current Electricity · asked 5 times since 2018
  8. 8.Derive B at the centre of a circular loopP3 Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism · asked 5 times since 2018
  9. 9.Numericals: B at the centre of a circular coilP3 Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism · asked 5 times since 2018
  10. 10.Ampere's law: derive B near a long straight wireP3 Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism · asked 5 times since 2018

See when each unit comes in your plan