How to revise for Physics GCSE over the Summer
This is the last year before your child sits their Physics GCSE and this summer they should ensure that they have actively consolidated their knowledge from the last year. Trying to support your child if Physics is not a subject you have studied recently can be frustrating. However revising in Physics is very similar to Maths. There are concepts that need to be understood, that may be tested by formulas or prose, then the skill is being able to apply these ideas.
Real world applications
The good news
The good news is that there is not that much content to memorise compared to many subjects, which may be why it appeals to some students.
The other good news
On the other hand, it takes a lot of practise in applying these concepts to a seemingly infinite number of real world scenarios.
So in brief, Physics requires a focused amount of time understanding, not memorising, the key concepts. Once the concepts are understood, it’s just application, application, application.
How to understand the concepts
First off, understanding concepts is the key to this subject. Support can be found from their teacher, an older sibling, youtube clips, textbooks, back to their teacher.
… and then how to apply them?
Practising formula based questions is the easiest skill. There is a self marking website called Isaac Physics which has self marking formula based questions . Answering the prose based questions is a skill which is easiest with a teacher. In essence it is explaining the patterns described mathematically in formulas, except with using words. Past paper questions with a keen eye on the markscheme is a good place to start. It is recommended to ask a teacher to check your answers too.
All the best with your revision and have a lovely summer.
