The key to success in any PAT paper is that you grab as many marks as you possibly can – as long as you pass the passing mark, you have secured yourself for an interview. If you are stuck on a question, skip it. But don’t skip too many as you will soon find yourself at the end of the paper… Think yourself as an emotionless, efficient machine when you do the questions and you will be fine.
PAT 2019
Many people found this paper difficult. So did I when I first did it. But a second look at the questions reveals otherwise. The questions seem to be intimidating, but that’s just the wording. So don’t be scared. Be confident in yourself!
Question 24 is the “hard mechanics question” that comes up almost every year. It concerns circular motion and Hooke’s law. If you get the idea, then it is easy (but with nasty algebra). A nightmare otherwise.
Question 23. Geometric sequence. You have to spot the pattern from the conditions provided in the question. So, easy. Again, the wording is complicated. You have to realize that people who come up with PAT questions don’t know how to write better.
Question 22. Slightly tricky one. Just follow your instinct. Do whatever your brain comes up with.
Question 21 is the “problem-solving” question that comes up every year. I’d say it’s a tricky one. Remember, “problem-solving” is in the PAT syllabus. If you see something so random that you have never seen before in your life, then it is probably a “problem-solving” question. Just do as you told in the question, and employ your logic. Also, if you are good at BPhO section 2, then you will be fine.
Question 20 tests your understanding of trigonometry graphs. Easy one actually. They could have omitted the annoying phrase “infer unambiguously” and instead written “half the time period”. But that would just reveal the answer wouldn’t it??…
Question 19. Conservation of momentum in two dimensions. Easy one.
Question 18. Easy maths question.
Question 17. Slightly tricky. This is the “geometry question” that comes up every year. Consolidate your knowledge of circles, triangles etc.
Question 16. Quantum physics. Slightly tricky. But you don’t have to have a complete physical picture of what’s going on – they give you the formula. But again, I would suggest you to teach yourself some quantum physics (especially energy levels, Bohr hydrogen atom, photoelectric effect) using university text book. Don’t dig too deep. But at least have a qualitative understanding, which would reduce your fear level when you encounter a problem like this.
Question 15. Geometric optics. Easy solution. The question itself is very intimidating because of the wording. Just read the question carefully and your will be fine.
Question 14. Nuclear physics. Easy. It’s all algebra. Make sure you translate the conditions provided in the question into correct algebraic expressions.
Physics 2.0 