QCE Physics Past Papers (Sciences)
QCE Physics external assessment is worth 50% of your final result and is examined across two papers. It rewards fluent problem-solving with the formula sheet, so timed past-paper practice is essential.
QCAA introduced external assessment with the current QCE system in 2020, so there are only a handful of past papers per subject — which makes each one worth sitting properly under timed conditions.
What's on the Physics exam?
The EA covers Units 3 and 4 — gravity and electromagnetism, and revolutions in modern physics (special relativity, quantum theory and the standard model). Questions combine multiple-choice, calculation and explanation, drawing on the provided formula and data sheet.
At 50% of your result, the external exam is worth as much as all your internal assessment combined.
How to use the past papers
Sit each paper to time with the formula sheet, then mark against the QCAA marking guide to see how working earns marks in multi-step problems. The subject report each year points to the concepts and question styles the state cohort found hardest.
The papers, marking guides and subject reports are in the Resources section of the official syllabus page linked above.
Practice Physics beyond the past papers
Once you've worked through the official papers, generate fresh questions on the exact topics you're weakest on with Polarbear's AI exam-cram — grounded in the QCE Physics syllabus, free to try.
Physics past papers FAQ
Source: the QCAA Physics syllabus page (its Resources section holds the past papers, marking guides and subject reports), and QCAA's external assessment overview. Past papers and syllabuses are © State of Queensland (QCAA), licensed CC BY 4.0. Polarbear links to the official papers rather than rehosting them and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the QCAA.