NESA Physics Performance

Overall average 63.6%26,076 questions answered2026 data

Score by Unit & Topic

Full syllabus

Advanced Mechanics

60.4%
Projectile Motion
63.8%
Circular Motion
60.4%
Motion in Gravitational Fields
55.4%

Electromagnetism

60.1%
Charged Particles, Conductors and Electric and Magnetic Fields
64.9%
The Motor Effect
59.2%
Electromagnetic Induction
60.6%
Applications of the Motor Effect
55.9%

The Nature of Light

68.9%
Electromagnetic Spectrum
73.5%
Light: Wave Model
72.8%
Light: Quantum Model
65.5%
Light and Special Relativity
66.8%

From the Universe to the Atom

66.9%
Origins of the Elements
60.8%
Structure of the Atom
60.9%
Quantum Mechanical Nature of the Atom
67.8%
Properties of the Nucleus
72%
Deep inside the Atom
67.4%

Working Scientifically Skills

62.5%
Questioning and Predicting
84.5%
Planning Investigations
57.1%
Conducting Investigations
100%
Processing Data and Information
58.2%
Analysing Data and Information
63.2%
Problem Solving
61.2%
Communicating
46.7%

Score by Past Paper

2026 data

2025
56.2%
2024
65.1%
2023
64.3%

Score by Question Type

2026 data

Extended Response
50%
Multiple Choice
66.1%
Short Answer
59%

Cognitive Verb Performance

2026 data

Analyse
58.7%
Assess
40%
Calculate
55.9%
Compare
50.9%
Construct
52.4%
Contrast
66.4%
Deduce
51.9%
Define
62.5%
Describe
64.2%
Determine
63.3%
Discuss
56.8%
Draw
61.2%
Estimate
41.2%
Evaluate
60.3%
Explain
59.3%
Express
42.9%
Identify
73.6%
Justify
56.7%
Label
75.3%
Outline
56.9%
Predict
75%
Select
33.3%
Show
69.7%
Sketch
57.7%
State
66.7%
Write
100%

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 Communicating (46.7%), Motion in Gravitational Fields (55.4%), Applications of the Motor Effect (55.9%). 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 (84.5%), Electromagnetic Spectrum (73.5%).
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, Justify. Practising responses to these verbs is a high-impact study strategy.

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