Strategy to Answer &

Physics Tips
For SPM Candidates

SPM PAPER 1
STRATEGY TO ANSWER PAPER 1
– Objective questions
(1 hour 15 minutes)

SPM PAPER 1
1. 50 objective questions.
Answer all.

2. The time is 1¼ hours.

The average time for one question is 1½ minutes.

3. Objective questions may have 3 or 4 options:

A, B and C
A, B, C, and D

4. Most of the questions come with 4 options.

SPM PAPER 1
5. To tackle difficult questions is to eliminate
incorrect options one by one until you are left
with the best possible option.

6. Many of the questions are related to experiments

carried out in the laboratory.
Such as, MV, RV & FV.

7. Involve all the topics in the physics syllabus.

8. Know the usual meaning of symbol used in

formulae in SPM Physics.
SPM PAPER 1
9. Read each questions diligently to make sure that
you understand the requirement of that question.
If information such as diagrams, graphs, or data is
provided, make use of them because they are
provided with a purpose.
Know how to interpret the various types of graphs
as well as make conclusions from graphs or data
provided.

SPM PAPER 1
10.Do not take >1½ minutes to answer each
question.
Unable to answer a particular question, leave it
first.
Spending too much time on one difficult question
may result in not having enough time to answer
other simpler questions.
Come back later to that question after you have
answered all the other questions.

SPM PAPER 1
STRATEGY TO ANSWER PAPER 2
- Subjective questions
( 2 hours 30 minutes)

SPM PAPER 2
Section A
1. Consists of 8 structure questions.
answer all.

2. The total marks in Section A is 60 marks. The

marks allocated to each question vary 4 to 12
marks.

3. You are advised to spend 90 minutes on this

section.

SPM PAPER 2
4. The structured questions in Section A are usually based
on diagrams, tables, graphs, or data related to a certain
situation or phenomenon.

5. Before attempting to answer a question at least twice

and highlight the key words provided so that you will
not go out of point.

6. Note the marks allocated to each section of a question.

A section that is allocated only 1 mark will require a
short answer.
A section that is allocated 3 marks will require you to
state 3 properties or characteristics associated with
that particular section.
SPM PAPER 2
7. While answering questions that involve
calculations, make sure that you write down all
the steps, including the formula used.

SPM PAPER 1
Section A (Structure)
1. Be able to interpret diagrams, photographs, tables and graphs to relate
to physics concepts and principles.

2. Give short and concise answer.

3. Underline keywords such as WHAT, HOW etc.

4. Underline the important information given in a question

5. Methods to solve calculation problems

- State the related formula
- Substitute the value for each formula
- Answer with the correct unit

6. Pay attention to the marks allocated. The mark usually indicates the
number of points required.
SPM PAPER 1
KEY WORDS IN EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

SPM PAPER 1
Section B
1. Section B consists of two questions. You need to answer
only one question from this section.

2. The marks allocated for this section is 20 marks.

3. You are advised to spend 30 minutes on this section.

4. The questions from Section B are normally preceded by a

diagram that shows a certain state or situation that is
related to a specific Physics concept.

SPM PAPER 1
5. You are normally asked to state the characteristics shown
in the diagram and also to state the Physics principle
involved.

6. Study the marks allocated to each section or sub-section in

the question.
The marks allocated in each section may be as high as 10
marks. So you should have at least 10 points or properties.

7. Equations, diagrams, tables, graphs or other suitable

methods may be used to explain your answer. However
your answers should be clear and logical.

SPM PAPER 1
Section C
1. Section C consists of two questions but you must answer one
question only from this section.

2. The marks for this section are 20 marks. You are advised to
spend 30 minutes on this section.

3. Questions in this section normally require the interpretation of

the data provided.

4. The questions from Section C are normally preceded by a table

that is related to a specific Physics concept.

5. You may be required to plot a graph based on the data given.

Make sure that you know the proper steps to plot a graph.
SPM PAPER 1
6. Study the marks allocated to each section or sub-
section in the question.
The marks allocated in each section may be as high as
10 marks. You should have at least 10 points or
properties.

7. The questions in this section normally require you to

state a certain principle or to explain certain
properties or characteristics.

8. Note that questions in Section B and C only involve

the explanation of theories and do not contain
questions that require you to do describe an
experiment. SPM PAPER 1
STRATEGY TO ANSWER PAPER 3
- Subjective questions
( 1 hours 30 minutes)

SPM PAPER 1
Section A.
1. Consists of 2 structured questions.
Answer both.

2. The total marks is 28 marks.

Spend 60 minutes on this section.

3. The questions in this section are based on experiments

that you should have already done in the laboratory.

4. The questions in this section normally require you to

collect and tabulate the data in a table and to plot a graph.

SPM PAPER 3
5. Required to state the MV, RV and FV based on the aim
and the procedure of the experiment.

6. The questions from this section also involve the

interpretation of graphs.
Determine the quantity represented by the slope of the
graph provided.
You will also need to know how to determine the slope
of the graph.

7. The questions may also involve the calculation of

certain quantities.
Make sure that you write down all the steps involved.
SPM PAPER 1
Section B

1. Section B consists of two questions.

Answer one only.

2. The total marks for this section is 12 marks.

Advised to spend 30 minutes on this section.

3. The questions in this section are normally preceded by a

diagram depicting a situation in our daily lives together
with a brief write-up on the situation shown.

SPM PAPER 1
4. State one suitable inference that can made from the
situation.

5. State one suitable hypothesis that can made from the

situation.

6. Based on situation and the apparatus given, design an

experiment.
Remember you are not doing an experiment.

7. State aim of experiment, variables, material & apparatus

used.

8. Provide a fully labeled diagram of the apparatus used.

SPM PAPER 1
TIPS FOR SPM Paper 3

SPM PAPER 3
Section A (Structure Question)
1. Question No. 1:
Give the answer in a appropriate sensitivity such:

Using Meter Rule as the instrument:

the length of spring = 10.0 cm (inappropriate answer: 10 cm;
the accuracy of the meter rule is 0.1 cm)

Using Vernier Caliper as the instrument:

The length of the wooden block = 3.00 cm (inappropriate answer: 3.0 cm;
the accuracy of the meter rule is 0.01 cm)

Using Micrometer Screw Gauge (MSG) as the instrument:

The thickness of a steel plate = 4.30 mm (inappropriate answer: 4.3 mm;
the accuracy of the meter rule is 0.01 mm)

SPM PAPER 3
2. Variables (3 marks)
Manipulated variable and responding Variable
Students can copy directly from the question (from the sentence of aim of the
experiment)

Fixed variable
must be in measured quantity.

Example:
The diameter of spring (the measured quantity regarding to the spring should
be stated clearly)

Note:
Avoid to give more than 1 answer for this question. Any wrong answer will
cancel the correct.

SPM PAPER 1
3. Tabulation of Data (5 @ 6 marks)
The answer should contains:
• Exact coulumns
• Exact rows
• Write all the quantities that has units
• Decimal points for each coulumn must be consistent
• Accurate measurement

4. Draw A Graph
A graph should have:
• correct axis with units
• uniform scales
• points that were correctly plot
• the best straight line

SPM PAPER 1
5. Relationship between responding and manipulated variable
• Directly proportional - if a graph shows a straight line begin from (0,0)
• Increases linearly - if a graph shows a straight line but intercept at Y-axis
other than 0.
• Decreases linearly - if a graph shows a straight with a negative value of
gradient of the graph

SPM PAPER 1
PRECAUTIONARY STEPS FOR INVESTIGATIVE EXPERIMENTS:

SPM PAPER 3
SPM TIPS:
 Student can give more then one answer for this question. No
penalty for the answer which is unsuitable.

 Example of unacceptable answer: Avoid parallax error - No mark

given for precautionary steps without explanation.

SPM PAPER 3