For many students, the vastness of the course deters them from studying Physics until it is too late.
“Where do I start?”, “How do I go about it?”, “Do I mug up derivations or not?”….These are all questions that crossed my mind too at one point. As someone who scored 100 in Physics in ISC 2018, I learnt that once you master a concept, half your job is done. Numericals and derivations become much easier. Add to that a bit of patience and time management and you get the perfect recipe to score good marks. While my personal experience reflects this view, there are obviously methods to score well if one doesn’t have time to clear their concepts. We will try to accommodate that. Here are some tips on how to approach the subject.
PRESCRIBED TEXTS
First, let us clear any misconceptions regarding the text to refer to.
· NOOTAN – This is, in my opinion, the Bible of ISC Physics. The Council has hardly set questions beyond the scope of this book. I highly recommend it. It is very user friendly with lucid explanations, good diagrams and many numericals to solve at the end of each chapter. Caution: It is not necessary to solve every numerical example as some are quite advanced. One can also avoid the questions that came in competitive exams.
· NCERT – It is not necessary to refer to this text for theory. However, one can solve questions and numericals from it.
· H. C. Verma – Do NOT refer to this book if you are not giving competitive exams. It is not recommended for ISC preparation.
HOW TO START
There are 10 units, each of varying difficulty level. I recommend studying all the chapters within a unit at length. While it doesn’t matter which unit you do first, it is generally helpful to study in order, starting from Electrostatics, as there are conceptual links (other than Optics) between the various units as we progress. One can also opt to start with the easier units – like Atoms and Nuclei, first, and then approach heavier ones.
ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF EACH CHAPTER
Some essential components of each chapter and my recommendation on how to approach them are given:
· Theory –Avoid memorizing. Just keep reading every line and re read the day before exams. Try to understand the meaning.
· Laws – Memorize the statement with the mathematical representation.
· Derivations – Practice. And practice.
· Graphs – Try and understand what is being represented on the graph. Practice.
· Diagrams – These are very important, especially for Optics and the last two units. Practice regularly.
· Numericals – Try and solve atleast 8 to 10 numericals from each chapter. Go through the different types of numericals from each chapter. Practice the day before the exam.
MODE OF STUDYING
When studying Physics, sit at a desk (sitting on the bed may lead to back aches) with a pen, pencil, eraser and ruler. While reading through explanations is enough, it is more effective to write them down. To do derivations, write them down twice - once while looking at the textbook, and once with the textbook covered. Do the same for diagrams and graphs. Keep yourself in a quiet, secluded environment if possible. After completing each chapter, go through the questions from previous years’ papers that came from that particular chapter. It will give you a rough idea of what to expect and which topics to stress on while revising.
TIME MANAGEMENT
When there isn’t a lot of time at hand, each and every minute counts. Each chapter should take one to two hours, depending on its length. I recommend devoting approximately 3 hours daily to study Physics and try and complete 2 chapters. Even if two chapters are not completed, it is alright. You can resume where you left off the next day. Following this routine will ensure that the syllabus is completed within 20 to 25 days. After that, one can start revising and solving previous years’ papers.
Remember: Revision and practice are absolutely essential to score well.
There is nothing to fear when it comes to Physics. Like I said earlier, a little bit of patience and planning can go a long way in securing good marks. And if you master the concepts, you may find the process of studying this subject to be rewarding. Wishing you luck!
Here's an infographic summarising the study guide for Physics:
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