Summary
Highlights
The video introduces Tom Dixon, a physics teacher, who will provide tips and predictions for the 2026 Leaving Certificate Physics exam. Due to recent changes, the syllabus is expected to be fully examined, but there's significant choice in the paper. The updated exam structure now offers more choice in Section A (3 out of 5 experiment questions) and Section B (5 out of 9 long questions, including 12 out of 8 short questions for Question 6).
Tom advises allocating 3 hours for the exam, with 15 minutes per Section A experiment question (total 45 minutes) and 20 minutes per Section B long question. This leaves a 35-minute buffer, which can be used for initial reading (5 minutes), final review (5 minutes), and attempting an extra question (25 minutes) to maximize marks. The speaker notes that timing is generally not a major issue in this exam if students keep moving efficiently.
Section A consists of five experiment questions. Question 1 is usually mechanics (e.g., Newton's Second Law, acceleration due to gravity, Boyle's Law). Questions 2, 3, and 4 cover sound (e.g., sonometer, speed of sound), light (e.g., focal length of concave mirror/convex lens), and heat (e.g., specific latent heat of fusion/vaporization). Question 5 typically focuses on electricity (e.g., Joule's Law, resistance vs. temperature for thermistor/metallic conductor, V against I for different conductors). Key tips include reading all questions first, identifying comfortable experiments, prioritizing questions with calculations/graphs you're confident with, and aiming for 35 out of 40 marks per experiment.
Students should know how to draw and label graphs, identify the line of best fit or curve (knowing the expected shape), and interpret proportionality from straight lines. Understanding how to use the graph (especially the slope for average values) for specific calculations is crucial. For experiments without graphs, such as some heat calculations, confidence in these calculations is essential as they carry significant marks (12-18 out of 40). Each experiment is worth 40 marks, making strong performance in Section A vital for overall success.
Section B includes long questions, each worth 56 marks. The recommended strategy is to start with Question 6 (short questions), aiming to answer as many as possible to secure the best eight (7 marks each, marked 7-4-0). Next, tackle Question 14, which has four half-questions, choosing two you are most confident with. Then, move to the option question (usually Question 12 or a part of Question 14), with particle physics being a common choice. Question 13, a scenario-based question, is also recommended if the topic is familiar due to its 7-mark-per-part marking scheme.
Question 7 is often mechanics, which the speaker advises against unless very confident, as other choices may be more rewarding. Questions 8, 9, 10, and 11 cover waves, light, heat, electricity, and modern physics. Modern physics (electron, particle physics, radioactivity) is highly emphasized, as it can account for 2.5 to 3 long questions. Mastering these chapters offers a high return on study investment and maximizes choice. The overall advice for Section B is to study as many topics as possible to maintain choice and avoid leaving out significant portions of the syllabus.
After completing the required questions and potentially an extra one, use the last 5 minutes to review the entire paper. Check headings, axis labels, lines of best fit on graphs, labeled diagrams, and ensure all parts of every question are attempted and labeled. For definitions, if the exact wording isn't recalled, writing down the formula and explaining its components can earn partial marks. The key is to accumulate as many marks as possible across all questions, focusing on what you know best.
The video concludes with a brief promotion of ExamVision.ie's complete revision package, offering video tutorials, PowerPoints, notes, quizzes, past paper solutions, and adaptive technology. They cover 37 Leaving Certificate and 19 Junior Cycle subjects, providing a 40% discount link. The speaker offers final words of encouragement, wishing students the best of luck and reiterating the importance of time management, attempting all questions, and focusing on strengths.