IB Diploma HL Physics Exam Technique Cheat Sheet 2026 (DP-PHYS-HL)
Every IB Diploma HL Physics command word decoded — what examiners actually want, the structure that earns full marks, the top mistakes flagged in real examiner reports, and the phrases that pick up the marks others leave on the table. Free printable PDF.
6 command words decoded
5 top mistakes flagged
Phrases that earn marks
Print-ready PDF
Command words — click to expand
Top tips for Physics
- 1Know AO bands: AO1 (knowledge), AO2 (application), AO3 (synthesis with uncertainty).
- 2Show ALL working — M marks earned even with wrong answer.
- 3Carry full precision until the FINAL step.
- 4Uncertainty: round absolute uncertainty to 1 s.f., match d.p. of answer.
- 5Use the IB data booklet — don't memorise constants.
⚠️ Top mistakes examiners flag for Physics
- ✗Forgetting uncertainty propagation in 'determine' questions.
- ✗Confusing g (9.81 N/kg) with G (6.67×10⁻¹¹ N m²/kg²).
- ✗Rounding mid-calculation.
- ✗Sketching graphs without axis labels.
- ✗Confusing potential difference and EMF.
✅ Phrases that earn marks
- → …by Newton's second law, F = ma
- → …the field strength is given by E = V/d
- → …by conservation of momentum, m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂
- → …by Faraday's law, ε = −dΦ/dt
- → …uncertainty is ±0.05 cm (1 s.f.)
❌ Phrases that lose marks
- ✗ Gravity (use 'gravitational field strength')
- ✗ Energy is lost (use 'transferred to thermal energy')
- ✗ Speed (when velocity is meant)
- ✗ Forgetting units
Losing marks on Physics working — even when the final answer is right?
IB Diploma HL Physics awards method marks (M marks) for every step shown. A Tutopiya Physics tutor walks through your mock paper line-by-line, finds where you're skipping the M marks, and rewrites the working with you. Submit a free enquiry and we'll match you with a specialist.
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Other IB Diploma HL subjects
IB Diploma HL Physics exam technique — FAQ
What are the most important command words in IB Diploma HL Physics? ▼
IB Diploma HL Physics (DP-PHYS-HL) papers use 6 core command words. The most frequently misread are Define (AO1) (where students add unnecessary explanation) and Explain (AO2) (where students describe instead of reasoning with because/therefore). The full breakdown — what each word means, the answer structure, and the do/don't list — is in the interactive cheat sheet above.
What's the difference between "describe" and "explain" in IB Diploma HL Physics? ▼
Describe asks WHAT happens — quote values from data, state the trend, no reasoning. Explain asks WHY — every sentence must contain "because", "therefore" or "as a result". Mixing them up is one of the highest-frequency reasons IB Diploma HL Physics students lose marks they could have earned with the same content.
What are the top examiner-flagged mistakes for IB Diploma HL Physics? ▼
Across recent IB Diploma HL Physics examiner reports, the most-flagged mistakes are: Forgetting uncertainty propagation in 'determine' questions.; Confusing g; Rounding mid-calculation.. The full list with explanations is in the "Top mistakes" block in the cheat sheet above.
Can I print the IB Diploma HL Physics exam technique cheat sheet as a PDF? ▼
Yes — click the "Download Physics Cheat Sheet PDF" button above. Sign up free (no payment), and the printable A4 PDF downloads instantly. The PDF includes the command-word table, top tips, common mistakes and the earn/avoid phrase pairs — designed to fit on one page so you can pin it above your desk.
Will this cheat sheet help me get a top grade in IB Diploma HL Physics? ▼
The cheat sheet covers EXAM TECHNIQUE — how to read command words, structure answers, and use mark-scheme language. Combined with strong subject knowledge it can lift students by 1–2 grades by closing the gap on extended-response questions. Use the IB Diploma HL Physics Grade Predictor to see where you currently sit and how many marks you need for the next grade up.
Is this IB Diploma HL Physics cheat sheet free? ▼
Yes — fully free. Sign up takes 10 seconds (name + email) and unlocks the PDF download for this and every other Tutopiya study tool. We use the email to send occasional IB Diploma HL Physics revision resources and exam updates. Unsubscribe at any time.
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