VCE Physics 2024–2027
Written examination – End of year
Examination specifications
Overall conditions
The examination will be sat at a time and date to be set annually by the Victorian Curriculum and
Assessment Authority (VCAA). VCAA examination rules will apply.
There will be 15 minutes of reading time and 2 hours and 30 minutes of writing time.
The examination will be assessed by a panel appointed by the VCAA.
The examination will contribute 50 per cent to the study score.
Content
The VCE Physics Study Design 2024–2027 is the document for the development of the examination. All
outcomes in Units 3 and 4 will be examined.
All of the key knowledge that underpins the outcomes in Units 3 and 4, and the key science skills found in
the section ‘Cross-study specifications’ in the study design (pages 11 and 12), are examinable.
Format
The examination will be in the form of a question and answer book.
The examination will consist of two sections.
Section A will consist of 20 multiple-choice questions worth 1 mark each and will be worth a total of 20
marks.
Section B will consist of short-answer and extended-answer questions, including questions with multiple
parts. The number of questions may vary from year to year. Section B will be worth a total of 100 marks.
All questions will be compulsory. The total marks for the examination will be 120.
A formula sheet will be provided with the examination.
Answers to Section A are to be recorded on the answer sheet provided for multiple-choice questions.
Answers to Section B are to be recorded in the spaces provided in the question and answer book.
Approved materials and equipment
Normal stationery requirements (pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers, sharpeners and rulers)
Pre-written notes (one folded A3 sheet or two A4 sheets bound together by tape)
One scientific calculator
© VCAA 2024 January 2024
VCE Physics 2024–2027 Specifications
Relevant references
The following resources should be referred to in relation to the VCE Physics examination:
VCE Physics Study Design 2024–2027 (Units 3 and 4)
Advice for teachers – Physics
VCAA Bulletin
Advice
During the 2024–2027 accreditation period for VCE Physics, examinations will be prepared according to the
examination specifications above. Each examination will conform to these specifications and will test a
representative sample of the key knowledge and key skills from all outcomes in Units 3 and 4, and the key
science skills found in the section ‘Cross-study specifications’ in the study design (pages 11 and 12).
Examination questions may relate to one or more areas of study and may integrate research methodologies,
ethical principles and new applications of physics. The weighting of examination questions will reflect
approximately the weighting of the outcomes in the study design.
Students should use command/task words, other instructional information within questions and
corresponding mark allocations to guide their responses.
A separate document containing a sample examination will be published on the VCE Physics ‘Examination
specifications, past examinations and examination reports’ page on the VCAA website.
The sample examination provides an indication of the format of the examination, and the types of questions
teachers and students can expect until the current accreditation period is over.
Answers to multiple-choice questions are provided at the end of the sample examination.
Answers to other questions are not provided.
© VCAA 2024 January 2024 Page 2
