SEC Physics Q&A 2008-2009

Abstract

The Physics Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) consists of two written papers of two hours duration each and an assessment of practical work done at school. All questions are set in English and. it is expected that they are answered in the same language. The papers are set to cover the whole syllabus Paper I is a paper that must be taken by all the candidates. It consists of about 10 compulsory short questions that have to be answered in the spaces provided in the examination booklet. Paper 1 carries approximately 55% of the global mark. Paper 2 is presented in two versions: Paper 2A and Paper 28. Each paper will consist of five compulsory questions two of which will test experimental skills. In the resit session of September, only paper 28 is offered. Papers 2A and 28 approximately carry 45% of the global mark. Questions in Paper 2A will be more difficult than those in Paper I while questions in Paper 28 will easier than those of Paper I. On registration for the exam candidates are required to indicate their choice of paper. The choice is final and cannot be changed after the registration period. In all papers that is, Papers I, 2A and 28 the use of scientific calculators is recommended. During the whole exam standard notation and SI units will be used and unless stated differently, the acceleration due to free fall, g, will be designated in the question paper as 10 m/s2. Candidates sitting for Paper 1 and Paper 2A may be awarded Grades 1 to 5 while those that opt for Paper 1 and Paper 2B may be awarded Grades 4 to 7. The Practical component of the exam carries 15 % of the total marks. It is catered for and assessed at school during the candidates' course of study. An average mark for the best fifteen experiments will be accordingly recorded and augmented to the final mark. A table of Formulae which students are expected to be familiar with is provided. Further details may be viewed on and downloaded in pdf fom1at from the MA TSEC homepage at: http://home.um.edu.mt/matsec/syl20 l 0/SEC%20PHYS.pdf