NESA Physics Performance

Overall average 61.7%20,096 questions answered2026 data

Score by Unit & Topic

Full syllabus

Advanced Mechanics

54.5%
Projectile Motion
59.4%
Circular Motion
55.7%
Motion in Gravitational Fields
47.2%

Electromagnetism

59.1%
Charged Particles, Conductors and Electric and Magnetic Fields
62.4%
The Motor Effect
58.6%
Electromagnetic Induction
60.4%
Applications of the Motor Effect
54.7%

The Nature of Light

68.9%
Electromagnetic Spectrum
74.5%
Light: Wave Model
72.6%
Light: Quantum Model
64%
Light and Special Relativity
65.9%

From the Universe to the Atom

65.9%
Origins of the Elements
53.7%
Structure of the Atom
44.4%
Quantum Mechanical Nature of the Atom
67.3%
Properties of the Nucleus
73.1%
Deep inside the Atom
64.2%

Working Scientifically Skills

62.7%
Questioning and Predicting
84.2%
Planning Investigations
33.3%
Conducting Investigations
100%
Processing Data and Information
56.5%
Analysing Data and Information
63.4%
Problem Solving
56.1%
Communicating
46.7%

Score by Past Paper

2026 data

2025
52.6%
2024
60.5%
2023
61.8%

Score by Question Type

2026 data

Multiple Choice
64.9%
Short Answer
50.4%

Cognitive Verb Performance

2026 data

Analyse
43.3%
Assess
0%
Calculate
46.3%
Compare
51.7%
Construct
22.2%
Contrast
75%
Deduce
22.2%
Define
60%
Describe
59.2%
Determine
53.5%
Discuss
29.6%
Draw
56.2%
Estimate
26.9%
Evaluate
65.2%
Explain
57.7%
Express
23.8%
Identify
70.9%
Justify
52.2%
Label
83.3%
Outline
33.3%
Select
33.3%
Show
59.8%
Sketch
56.7%
State
78.3%

Study Guides

HSC Physics Hardest Topics: Where Students Lose the Most MarksAverage scores in HSC Physics by past paper, topic, question type and command verb, plus the high-weight low-score revision list.HSC Physics Most Tested Topics: What the NESA Exams CoverMarks by topic and dot point across 3 NESA Physics external papers, 2023 to 2025, plus the question type and cognitive verb mix.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hardest NESA Physics topics?
Based on student performance on AusGrader in 2026, the hardest NESA Physics topics are Planning Investigations (33.3%), Structure of the Atom (44.4%), Communicating (46.7%). Focus your revision on these areas for the biggest score improvement.
What are the easiest NESA Physics topics?
Based on student performance on AusGrader in 2026, the highest-scoring NESA Physics topics are Conducting Investigations (100%), Questioning and Predicting (84.2%), Electromagnetic Spectrum (74.5%).
What are the most common command words in NESA Physics exams?
The most frequently tested command words in NESA Physics are Calculate, Explain, Determine, Describe, Show. Practising responses to these verbs is a high-impact study strategy.

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