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100+ Free NYSTCE Physics Practice Questions

Pass your NYSTCE Content Specialty Test: Physics (163) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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A uniform beam is balanced on a pivot at its center. A 4 N weight hangs 3 m to the left of the pivot. To balance the beam, a 6 N weight must be placed how far to the right of the pivot?

A
B
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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NYSTCE Physics Exam

90 + 1

Selected-Response + Constructed Response

NYSTCE Physics (163) test page

3h 15m

Testing Time

NYSTCE Physics (163) test page

520

Scaled Passing Score

NYSTCE Physics (163) test page

$122

Current Exam Fee

NYSTCE Physics (163) test page

80% / 20%

Selected-Response vs Constructed-Response Weight

Field 163 Test Design

6

Physics Content Competencies

Field 163 Test Framework

16%

Weight of Forces and Motion and of Energy

Field 163 Test Design

Aug 6, 2026

Last Registration Date Before NES 822 Replaces It

NYSTCE Physics (163) test page

The official NYSTCE Physics (163) test page lists 90 selected-response items and 1 extended constructed-response item, a 3 hour 15 minute testing time inside a 3 hour 30 minute appointment, a 520 scaled passing score, and a $122 fee. The selected-response items count for 80% of the score and the constructed response for 20%. The framework weights the six content competencies fairly evenly, with Forces and Motion and Conservation of Energy each about 16%, Electricity and Magnetism about 15%, and Mechanical Waves, Optics, and Modern Physics each about 11%. NYSTCE has announced that the Physics (163) test is retiring and being replaced by the NES Physics (822) test, with the last registration date of August 6, 2026.

Sample NYSTCE Physics Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NYSTCE Physics exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A car travels 60 m east in 4 s, then 40 m east in 6 s. What is the car's average velocity for the entire trip?
A.10 m/s east
B.5 m/s east
C.20 m/s east
D.100 m/s east
Explanation: Average velocity is total displacement divided by total time. The total displacement is 60 m + 40 m = 100 m east, and the total time is 4 s + 6 s = 10 s, giving 100 m / 10 s = 10 m/s east.
2A 2 kg object experiences a net force of 10 N. According to Newton's second law, what is its acceleration?
A.5 m/s²
B.20 m/s²
C.0.2 m/s²
D.12 m/s²
Explanation: Newton's second law states a = F/m. With a net force of 10 N and a mass of 2 kg, the acceleration is 10 N / 2 kg = 5 m/s².
3A projectile is launched horizontally from a cliff. Neglecting air resistance, which statement about its motion is correct?
A.The horizontal velocity remains constant while the vertical velocity increases
B.Both horizontal and vertical velocities remain constant
C.The horizontal velocity increases while the vertical velocity stays constant
D.Both horizontal and vertical velocities decrease over time
Explanation: In projectile motion, horizontal and vertical motions are independent. With no air resistance there is no horizontal force, so horizontal velocity is constant, while gravity causes the vertical velocity to increase downward.
4A 5 kg block rests on a horizontal surface. A student pushes it horizontally, but it does not move. Which best describes the friction acting on the block?
A.Static friction equal in magnitude to the applied force
B.Kinetic friction opposing the applied force
C.Zero friction because the block is not moving
D.Static friction greater than the applied force
Explanation: When an object remains stationary under an applied force, static friction adjusts to exactly balance the applied force up to its maximum value. Since the block does not move, static friction equals the applied force in magnitude.
5An object moves in a circle of radius 2 m at a constant speed of 4 m/s. What is the magnitude of its centripetal acceleration?
A.8 m/s²
B.2 m/s²
C.16 m/s²
D.4 m/s²
Explanation: Centripetal acceleration is a = v²/r. With v = 4 m/s and r = 2 m, a = (4)² / 2 = 16 / 2 = 8 m/s², directed toward the center of the circle.
6Two ice skaters of equal mass push off from each other while at rest on frictionless ice. What does the conservation of momentum predict about their motion?
A.They move apart with equal and opposite momenta
B.They move in the same direction at equal speeds
C.The heavier skater stays still while the other moves
D.Both skaters remain at rest
Explanation: The total momentum of the system is zero before the push and must remain zero afterward. With equal masses, the skaters acquire equal and opposite momenta, moving apart at equal speeds in opposite directions.
7A 0.5 kg ball moving at 6 m/s strikes a wall and bounces straight back at 4 m/s. What is the magnitude of the impulse delivered to the ball?
A.5 kg·m/s
B.1 kg·m/s
C.3 kg·m/s
D.10 kg·m/s
Explanation: Impulse equals the change in momentum. Taking the initial direction as positive, the change is m(v_f − v_i) = 0.5(−4 − 6) = 0.5(−10) = −5 kg·m/s, with a magnitude of 5 kg·m/s.
8A uniform beam is balanced on a pivot at its center. A 4 N weight hangs 3 m to the left of the pivot. To balance the beam, a 6 N weight must be placed how far to the right of the pivot?
A.2 m
B.3 m
C.4.5 m
D.1.5 m
Explanation: For rotational equilibrium, the torques must balance: τ_left = τ_right. So 4 N × 3 m = 6 N × d, giving 12 = 6d, thus d = 2 m.
9A spring with spring constant 200 N/m is stretched 0.1 m from its natural length. According to Hooke's law, what is the magnitude of the restoring force?
A.20 N
B.200 N
C.2 N
D.2000 N
Explanation: Hooke's law states F = kx, where the restoring force is proportional to displacement. With k = 200 N/m and x = 0.1 m, F = 200 × 0.1 = 20 N.
10A satellite orbits Earth in a stable circular orbit. What provides the centripetal force that keeps it in orbit?
A.The gravitational attraction between the satellite and Earth
B.The thrust from the satellite's engines
C.The normal force from the atmosphere
D.The magnetic force from Earth's field
Explanation: In a stable orbit, the gravitational force between the satellite and Earth acts as the centripetal force, continuously pulling the satellite toward Earth and bending its path into a circle.

About the NYSTCE Physics Exam

The NYSTCE Content Specialty Test: Physics (163) is the New York subject-knowledge exam for prospective physics teachers in grades 7-12. The test measures content knowledge across forces and motion, conservation of energy and energy transfer, electricity and magnetism, mechanical wave properties, optics and electromagnetic waves, and modern physics, plus a constructed-response item measuring pedagogical content knowledge. Candidates apply scientific and engineering practices, interpret data and graphs, and demonstrate laboratory safety knowledge.

Questions

91 scored questions

Time Limit

3h 30m appointment (3h 15m testing)

Passing Score

520 (scaled)

Exam Fee

$122 (New York State Education Department / Pearson Evaluation Systems)

NYSTCE Physics Exam Content Outline

16% of total score

Forces and Motion

Kinematics in one and two dimensions, Newton's three laws, projectile and uniform circular motion, friction, torque and rotational motion, momentum and impulse, simple harmonic motion, static equilibrium, gravitation, and fluid mechanics.

16% of total score

Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer

Work, energy, and power; kinetic and potential energy; the work-energy theorem; conservative versus nonconservative forces; energy in collisions; phase changes; and the first and second laws of thermodynamics.

15% of total score

Electricity and Magnetism

Coulomb's law, electric and magnetic fields, electric potential and potential difference, DC circuits with Ohm's and Kirchhoff's laws, resistors and capacitors, Faraday's and Lenz's laws, transformers, and charged-particle motion in fields.

11% of total score

Mechanical Wave Properties

Wave propagation and speed, amplitude, phase and wavelength, reflection, refraction, superposition and interference, diffraction, standing waves and harmonics, resonance, beats, and the Doppler effect.

11% of total score

Optics and Electromagnetic Waves

Ray approximation with shadows, mirrors, and lenses; refraction, dispersion, and total internal reflection; the electromagnetic spectrum; and interference, diffraction, and polarization of light.

11% of total score

Modern Physics

Atomic and nuclear structure, electron transitions and spectra, the photoelectric effect, radioactivity and half-life, fission and fusion, mass-energy equivalence, quantum mechanics, special relativity, and the Standard Model.

How to Pass the NYSTCE Physics Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 520 (scaled)
  • Exam length: 91 questions
  • Time limit: 3h 30m appointment (3h 15m testing)
  • Exam fee: $122

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NYSTCE Physics Study Tips from Top Performers

1Work problems using multiple representations (graphs, diagrams, and equations) because the framework repeatedly emphasizes analyzing situations this way
2Memorize core relationships such as F = ma, KE = 1/2 mv squared, V = IR, P = IV, and v = f times wavelength, then practice applying them under time pressure
3Master the right-hand rules for magnetic fields and forces on moving charges, since electricity and magnetism is one of the larger content areas
4Practice interpreting position-time and velocity-time graphs and extracting slopes and areas, a skill tested across mechanics and waves
5For the constructed response, rehearse writing a clear, scenario-based instructional plan that guides all students to a physics goal and includes assessment
6Review laboratory safety and proper use of equipment, including laser safety and handling of materials, which the framework lists as testable

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NYSTCE Physics 163 exam?

The current NYSTCE Physics (163) test page lists 90 selected-response items and 1 extended constructed-response item. The selected-response section counts for 80% of the score and the constructed response for the remaining 20%.

What passing score do I need for NYSTCE Physics 163?

You need a scaled score of 520 to pass the NYSTCE Physics (163) test. Your score combines performance on the 90 selected-response items with the score on the single constructed-response item.

How much does the NYSTCE Physics 163 exam cost?

The current NYSTCE fee for the Physics (163) test is $122. Always verify the fee in your NYSTCE account at registration in case the testing program updates pricing.

How long is the NYSTCE Physics 163 test?

You have 3 hours 15 minutes of testing time within a 3 hour 30 minute appointment. The selected-response items are designed for up to 135 minutes and the constructed-response item for up to 60 minutes.

Is the NYSTCE Physics 163 test being retired?

Yes. NYSTCE has announced that the Physics (163) test is retiring and being replaced by the National Evaluation Series (NES) Physics (822) test. The last day to register for the Physics (163) test is August 6, 2026.

Which NYSTCE Physics 163 competencies matter most?

Forces and Motion and Conservation of Energy each carry about 16% of the score, Electricity and Magnetism about 15%, and Mechanical Waves, Optics, and Modern Physics each about 11%. The constructed-response pedagogy item is worth 20% of the total score.