The Structure of Both Papers
The NSC Physical Science exam consists of two papers, each written on a separate day. Both are 150 marks and 3 hours long. The topics are completely different between the two papers. You cannot study for both at the same time because they test different content.
Mechanics (Newton's Laws, momentum, work-energy-power), waves and sound (Doppler effect), electricity and magnetism (circuits, EM induction), and modern physics (photoelectric effect).
Chemical bonding and intermolecular forces, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, electrochemistry, and organic chemistry. Stoichiometry is woven throughout.
Mark Allocation by Topic
The DBE examination guidelines specify the approximate marks per topic. These are not random. They are fixed by the CAPS document and vary only slightly from year to year. Knowing these allocations lets you prioritise your study time based on where the most marks sit.
Mechanics (42%) and electricity (37%) together make up 79% of Paper 1. Chemical change (43%) and organic (19%) make up 62% of Paper 2. If you master these four areas, you have covered the majority of both papers. Focus your study time accordingly.
The Four Cognitive Levels (How Questions Are Designed)
The DBE designs every paper using four cognitive levels. This tells you exactly what type of thinking each question requires and how much of the paper is straightforward versus challenging.
55% of the paper (Levels 1 and 2) is stuff you have definitely seen before if you have done past papers. That is 83 marks from recall and routine procedures. If you nail these, you only need 37 more marks from Levels 3 and 4 to pass with a distinction. The "easy" marks are the foundation. Protect them at all costs.
What is on the Data and Formula Sheet
You are given a data sheet and a formula sheet in both papers. These contain constants, conversion factors, and formulas. Knowing what is on the sheet means you do not waste time memorising things that are already provided. Knowing what is NOT on the sheet means you know what to memorise.
Speed of light: c = 3 x 10⁸ m/s
Planck's constant: h = 6.63 x 10⁻³⁴ J.s
Acceleration due to gravity: g = 9.8 m/s²
Coulomb's constant: k = 9 x 10⁹ N.m²/C²
Speed of sound in air: v = 340 m/s
Molar volume at STP: Vm = 22.4 dm³/mol
Avogadro's number: NA = 6.02 x 10²³
All mechanics formulas (v = u + at, s = ut + ½at², etc.)
The periodic table (with atomic masses)
All definitions (Newton's Laws, photoelectric effect, Faraday's Law, Le Chatelier's, etc.)
Organic chemistry IUPAC naming rules and reaction conditions
The difference between AC and DC generators
Why the wave model fails (photoelectric effect)
Red shift / blue shift explanations
Properties of galvanic vs electrolytic cells
Strong vs weak acid theory
We created a full guide on the formula sheet: How to Use the Grade 12 Physical Science Formula Sheet.
For every electricity and magnetism formula in one place: Electricity and Magnetism Complete Cheat Sheet.
How Examiners Actually Mark Your Script
Understanding how examiners allocate marks changes how you write your answers. The DBE publishes marking guidelines with every memo. Here are the conventions that matter most:
Most calculation questions have multiple marks. Typically 1 mark for the correct formula, 1 mark for correct substitution, and 1 mark for the correct answer with units. If you get the formula and substitution right but make a calculator error, you still get 2 out of 3 marks. This is why showing working matters. A blank answer gets zero. A partial attempt often gets 1 to 2 marks.
The final answer must include the correct unit. "F = 20" gets less than "F = 20 N." Some questions allocate a specific mark for the unit. Get in the habit of writing units after every answer.
Force, velocity, acceleration, momentum, and impulse are all vectors. The examiner expects direction in your final answer. "a = 2.5 m/s²" is incomplete. "a = 2.5 m/s² to the right" or "a = 2.5 m/s² down the incline" earns the direction mark. Students lose 5 to 10 marks per paper by forgetting direction.
The memo has a specific wording for every definition. "State Newton's Second Law" has a 2-mark answer with specific key phrases. If your answer is vague or misses a key phrase, you get 1 out of 2 or 0 out of 2. Memorise the CAPS wording exactly.
The examiner accepts any consistent sign convention, but you must state it. Write "Let right be positive" or "Let the direction of motion be positive" at the top of your mechanics questions. Then apply it consistently. If your sign convention is unclear, the examiner cannot follow your logic and you lose marks even with correct calculations.
For the full list of marking errors, read 10 Most Common Mistakes in Grade 12 Physical Science.
How to Read the Question Paper Instructions
Every NSC Physical Science paper starts with the same set of instructions. Most students skip them. That is a mistake because they contain important information that affects how you answer.
What to Do With This Information Right Now
If you just wrote your June exams, this is your reset moment. Use these guidelines to plan your prelim preparation strategically. Do not study blindly. Study where the marks are.
Know the mark allocations so you spend the right amount of time on each topic. Know the cognitive levels so you practise the right types of questions. Know what the examiner expects so you present your answers in a way that earns every mark you deserve.
Your June exam exposed your weak spots. The prelims are your chance to fix them. The finals are your chance to prove it. Every step between now and November should be intentional.
For a complete study plan, read How to Study for Grade 12 Physical Science Before the Exam.
For past paper practice, read Grade 12 Physical Science Past Papers - How to Use Them.
For prelim preparation, read Everything You Need to Know About Grade 12 Prelims 2026.
For free textbooks and study materials, read Best Free Grade 12 Physical Science Textbooks and Resources.
55% of the paper is recall and routine. Make sure you collect every mark.
A-Game Academy teaches Grade 12 Physical Science live via Zoom. Mr Sawaya, 30 years NSC experience, SACE registered. Small classes, max 15 students. Weekly past paper practice. Study notes for every topic.
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