Cambridge Senior Physics Challenge Summer School 2018

Original post by TH001

How’s it going with questions with less then a month to go? Currently trying to do one level 6 and one level 5 everyday. Got roughly 50 total level 5 and 6s completed now.

I’m on about 30 5 and 6, hoping to get this to about 50-60 by end of April. Have you got a roughy 50/50 split maths/physics? Mines about 75/25 physics to maths.

Reply 22

Original post by JacobPowell

I’m on about 30 5 and 6, hoping to get this to about 50-60 by end of April. Have you got a roughy 50/50 split maths/physics? Mines about 75/25 physics to maths.

My ratio is 75:25 physics maths as well, which I think is the ideal ratio, as it’s shows your mainly focused on physics but can also do a bit of maths. How many 6s do you have, I’ve only got 8 and find them very tough, usually only do 5s.

Reply 23

Original post by TH001

Same, I find the 6s really hard... which I guess they’re meant to be. I’ve only done 2 6s compared to 18 5s and 30 4s (+ lots of the irrelevant lower levels). I’ve done all but a few of the circular motion questions because that’s a topic we’ve done in further maths recently and then the rest are statics and dynamics. Particularly for the maths ones, I find getting levels 5/6 questions that are applicable to what I know hard, because much of it requires year 13 content that I haven’t learnt - guess I’ll be self teaching it to myself haha.

Reply 24

Original post by JacobPowell

I taught myself circular motion and angular motion, and I suggest learning angular motion as most of my level 6s come from that area, and there are quite a few relatively easy ones to do if you understand angular motion.

Reply 25

Original post by TH001

Ah okay, I’ll do that. Is angular motion relatively easy to understand?

Reply 26

Original post by JacobPowell

Ah okay, I’ll do that. Is angular motion relatively easy to understand?

I would say so, I watched the lecture from Walter Lewin on it and then did some level 4s to get accustomed to it, firstly just stick to the basics when learning it I would say though.

Reply 27

Original post by TH001

I would say so, I watched the lecture from Walter Lewin on it and then did some level 4s to get accustomed to it, firstly just stick to the basics when learning it I would say though.

Just done a few L4 angular motion and they’re actually quite fun when you get into them. It’s exciting to learn about new physics that we probably won’t study until university.

Reply 28

Original post by JacobPowell

Just done a few L4 angular motion and they’re actually quite fun when you get into them. It’s exciting to learn about new physics that we probably won’t study until university.

Yes indeed, tried doing the same for SHM, but apart from a few level 4s, I find it a lot tougher then any of the other mechanics.

Reply 29

Original post by JacobPowell

I’m on about 30 5 and 6, hoping to get this to about 50-60 by end of April. Have you got a roughy 50/50 split maths/physics? Mines about 75/25 physics to maths.

Just saw on the Isaac Physics website that they expect a roughly equal distribution of maths and physics problems, when I literally don’t even have a 3:1 physics maths ratio. Do you think it will matter?

Reply 30

Original post by JacobPowell

I’ve completed about 100 questions, mostly level 3 and 4, and a few 5

Good good, I got invited last year and it was a very nice experience but quite damn difficult (we did 2nd year undergrad quantum mechanics).

I would say keep doing what you are doing but keep a balance between quantity and quality. So try do as many level 1s and 2s and 3s but also do a few 4s 5s and 6s. Also do the challenge questions they set every now and then.

Reply 31

Original post by TH001

Hopefully not, as long as you have at least 3:1 then at least that shows some mathematical competence. I might try and improve my ratio though...

Are many people at your school trying to get on this? I think I’m the only one at mine.

Reply 32

Original post by JacobPowell

Don't worry about ratio, just try to do as many as possible.

Reply 33

Original post by Anonymouspsych

That sounds like an awesome experience, thanks for sharing :smile:

How many level 4/5/6 did you do?

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 34

Original post by JacobPowell

That sounds like an awesome experience, thanks for sharing :smile:

How many level 4/5/6 did you do?

I haven't used the site in soooo long haha. I did around 60/40 for physics and maths with the majority being physics. I've done like nearly 800 questions with like 200 of them being lv 4 5 and 6.

Reply 35

Original post by JacobPowell

Its pretty crazy at mine, a lot are going for it, but I would only say 2 or 3 others are seriously going for it, still pretty competitive though.

Reply 36

Original post by Anonymouspsych

I haven't used the site in soooo long haha. I did around 60/40 for physics and maths with the majority being physics. I've done like nearly 800 questions with like 200 of them being lv 4 5 and 6.

800 questions?! How much had you done before the senior physics challenge? And also what did you end up applying for? I’m guessing either natsci or physics right?

Reply 37

Original post by TH001

Its pretty crazy at mine, a lot are going for it, but I would only say 2 or 3 others are seriously going for it, still pretty competitive though.

a lot of SPC people who get into the summer school and later decide to apply to cambridge are often successful :wink:

Reply 38