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Exam Review

Key Facts: NSC Physical Sciences Exam

NSC Physical Sciences is written as two papers worth 150 marks each, 300 marks in total (DBE).

Each paper is written over 3 hours, giving 6 hours of examination across Paper 1 and Paper 2 (DBE).

Paper 1 Physics allocates 65 marks to Mechanics, 55 to Electricity & Magnetism, 15 to Waves/Sound/Light and 15 to Matter & Materials (DBE Examination Guidelines).

Paper 2 Chemistry allocates 92 marks to Chemical Change and 58 marks to Matter & Materials (DBE Examination Guidelines).

Results use a 7-level scale, from Level 7 (80–100%) to Level 1 (0–29%), as defined in the National Curriculum Statement (DBE).

About 40% of Paper 1 marks target the 'applying and analysing' cognitive level (DBE Examination Guidelines).

Physical Sciences carries DBE subject code 4054 in the National Senior Certificate.

The exam is set by the Department of Basic Education and quality-assured by Umalusi.

NSC Physical Sciences is South Africa's Grade 12 matric exam in physics and chemistry: two 150-mark papers (Paper 1 Physics, Paper 2 Chemistry), 3 hours each, graded on a 7-level CAPS scale.

Sample NSC Physical Sciences Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the NSC Physical Sciences exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Newton's second law of motion is best expressed by which equation?
A.F = m/a
B.F = mv
C.F_net = ma
D.a = Fm
Explanation: Newton's second law states that the net force on an object equals the product of its mass and acceleration: F_net = ma. The acceleration is in the same direction as the net force.
2A 5 kg object experiences a net force of 20 N. What is its acceleration?
A.100 m·s⁻²
B.4 m·s⁻²
C.0.25 m·s⁻²
D.25 m·s⁻²
Explanation: Using Newton's second law, a = F_net / m = 20 N / 5 kg = 4 m·s⁻². Acceleration is the net force divided by the mass.
3Which equation of motion correctly relates final velocity, initial velocity, acceleration and time for uniform acceleration?
A.v = u + a/t
B.v² = u + 2as
C.s = ut²
D.v = u + at
Explanation: For constant acceleration, v = u + at, where v is final velocity, u is initial velocity, a is acceleration and t is time. This is one of the standard kinematics equations on the NSC information sheet.
4An object starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 2 m·s⁻² for 5 s. What is its final velocity?
A.2.5 m·s⁻¹
B.10 m·s⁻¹
C.7 m·s⁻¹
D.0.4 m·s⁻¹
Explanation: Using v = u + at with u = 0, a = 2 m·s⁻² and t = 5 s: v = 0 + (2)(5) = 10 m·s⁻¹.
5In free fall near the Earth's surface (ignoring air resistance), the acceleration of an object is approximately:
A.0 m·s⁻²
B.9.8 m·s⁻² downward
C.9.8 m·s⁻² upward
D.depends on the mass
Explanation: An object in free fall experiences only gravity, giving it a downward acceleration of approximately 9.8 m·s⁻² (g). This is independent of mass.
6A ball is thrown vertically upward at 20 m·s⁻¹. Taking g = 10 m·s⁻², how long does it take to reach its highest point?
A.4 s
B.1 s
C.2 s
D.200 s
Explanation: At the highest point the velocity is 0. Using v = u + at (taking up as positive, a = -10): 0 = 20 + (-10)t, so t = 2 s.
7The linear momentum of an object is defined as:
A.p = ma
B.p = mv
C.p = ½mv²
D.p = mgh
Explanation: Momentum (p) is the product of an object's mass and velocity: p = mv. It is a vector quantity measured in kg·m·s⁻¹.
8A 2 kg trolley moves at 3 m·s⁻¹. What is its momentum?
A.1.5 kg·m·s⁻¹
B.9 kg·m·s⁻¹
C.6 kg·m·s⁻¹
D.0.67 kg·m·s⁻¹
Explanation: Momentum p = mv = (2 kg)(3 m·s⁻¹) = 6 kg·m·s⁻¹, directed in the direction of motion.
9Impulse is equal to:
A.mass times acceleration squared
B.the change in kinetic energy
C.force divided by time
D.the change in momentum
Explanation: The impulse–momentum theorem states that impulse (F_net·Δt) equals the change in momentum (Δp). This follows directly from Newton's second law in terms of momentum.
10A 0.5 kg ball moving at 4 m·s⁻¹ is brought to rest. What is the magnitude of the impulse on the ball?
A.8 N·s
B.0.5 N·s
C.2 N·s
D.4 N·s
Explanation: Impulse equals change in momentum: Δp = mΔv = (0.5)(0 − 4) = −2 kg·m·s⁻¹. The magnitude is 2 N·s.

About the NSC Physical Sciences Exam

NSC Physical Sciences is the Grade 12 exit examination in physics and chemistry written for South Africa's National Senior Certificate (the 'matric'), set under the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). It is assessed in two external papers, each worth 150 marks over 3 hours: Paper 1 covers Physics (Mechanics 65 marks, Waves/Sound/Light 15 marks, Electricity & Magnetism 55 marks, Matter & Materials 15 marks) and Paper 2 covers Chemistry (Chemical Change 92 marks, Matter & Materials 58 marks). Both papers test four cognitive levels, with roughly 15% recall, 35–40% comprehension, 35–40% application and 10% evaluation. The subject (DBE code 4054) is administered by the Department of Basic Education through provincial departments and quality-assured by Umalusi. Results feed into the learner's Admission Points Score (APS) used for university entry.

Exam sponsor: Department of Basic Education (DBE), via provincial education departments; quality-assured by Umalusi. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

3 hours per paper (Paper 1 Physics and Paper 2 Chemistry written separately)

Passing Score

7-level scale (Level 7: 80–100% down to Level 1: 0–29%); a subject pass is usually Level 2 (30%+), with Level 4 (50%+) commonly required for a Bachelor's pass minimum.

Exam / Certification Fees

No fee for full-time public-school candidates; part-time/private candidates pay province-set registration fees (a few hundred rand per subject).

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

22%

Mechanics (Paper 1)

Newton's laws, momentum and impulse, work, energy and power, and vertical projectile motion (65 marks).

18%

Electricity & Magnetism (Paper 1)

Electrostatics and Coulomb's law, electric fields, electric circuits and Ohm's law, electromagnetic induction, AC, generators and motors (55 marks).

10%

Waves, Sound, Light & Matter (Paper 1)

Doppler effect, 2D/3D wavefronts and diffraction, photoelectric effect, and emission and absorption spectra (30 marks).

31%

Chemical Change (Paper 2)

Stoichiometry, energy and rate of reaction, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, and galvanic and electrolytic cells (92 marks).

19%

Matter, Materials & Chemical Systems (Paper 2)

Organic molecules, intermolecular forces, and the fertilizer industry (Haber and Contact processes) (58 marks).

Preparing for the NSC Physical Sciences Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 7-level scale (Level 7: 80–100% down to Level 1: 0–29%); a subject pass is usually Level 2 (30%+), with Level 4 (50%+) commonly required for a Bachelor's pass minimum.
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours per paper (Paper 1 Physics and Paper 2 Chemistry written separately)
  • Exam / certification fees: No fee for full-time public-school candidates; part-time/private candidates pay province-set registration fees (a few hundred rand per subject). Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NSC Physical Sciences: Suggested Study Strategy

1Learn the formulas on the official DBE information sheets cold (v = u + at, F_net = ma, p = mv, W = FΔx·cosθ, F = kQ₁Q₂/r², E = hf) so you can apply them under time pressure.
2Practise full calculation questions with units and significant figures, since roughly 40% of Paper 1 marks reward applying and analysing, not just recall.
3Master organic chemistry nomenclature, functional groups, isomers and reaction types (addition, substitution, elimination, esterification, cracking) for Paper 2.
4Drill past papers under timed conditions (3 hours per paper) and use DBE marking guidelines to check your method marks.
5Build understanding of Le Chatelier's principle, equilibrium, rates and electrochemistry, as these high-mark Chemical Change topics dominate Paper 2.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the NSC Physical Sciences exam structured?

It consists of two external papers, each worth 150 marks and written over 3 hours. Paper 1 covers Physics and Paper 2 covers Chemistry, for a combined total of 300 marks.

How is NSC Physical Sciences graded?

It uses the National Senior Certificate 7-level scale: Level 7 (80–100%, Outstanding) down to Level 1 (0–29%, Not achieved). A subject pass typically requires at least Level 2 (30%), while Level 4 (50%+) is often needed as a Bachelor's pass subject minimum.

Who administers the NSC Physical Sciences exam?

It is set and administered by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) through the provincial education departments, under the CAPS curriculum, and quality-assured by the independent body Umalusi.

What topics are in Paper 1 versus Paper 2?

Paper 1 (Physics) covers Mechanics, Waves/Sound/Light, Electricity & Magnetism and Matter & Materials. Paper 2 (Chemistry) covers Chemical Change and Matter & Materials, including organic chemistry and the fertilizer industry.

Is there a fee to write NSC Physical Sciences?

Full-time public-school candidates do not pay a fee. Part-time and private candidates pay province-set registration fees, usually a few hundred rand per subject.