O-Level Physics Syllabus — 2026 Edition (Singapore)
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)13 Jul 2025, 00:00 Z
TL;DR
The 2026 SEAB 6091 Physics spec keeps the classic mechanics-to-nuclear arc but now embeds spreadsheet data-analysis in the practical paper and caps school assessments at one Weighted Assessment per term.
Master forces → SUVAT → energy, the six core experimental skills, and the new Paper 3 spreadsheet commands early.
These same concepts resurface in IP Year 3 WAs and A-Level Paper 4.
1 | Exam Structure at a Glance
| Paper | Duration / Marks | Weight | Headline skills |
| Paper 1 MCQ | 1 h / 40 x 1 | 30 % | Breadth recall, unit & sign traps |
| Paper 2 Structured | 1 h 45 / 80 m | 50 % | Multi-topic synthesis, algebra & graphs |
| Paper 3 Practical | 1 h 50 / 40 m | 20 % | Plan, MMO, PDO, ACE with spreadsheet =LINEST() |
| Paper 4 Alt-to-Practical (private) | 1 h 30 / 40 m | 20 % | Data-handling & planning questions |
The official weighting is confirmed in the SEAB 6091 syllabus (first exam 2026).
2 | Syllabus Map — Topic Flow & Key Equations
| Section | Core ideas | Anchor equation(s) |
| 1. Measurement | Base & derived SI units, scalar vs vector, significant-figure rules | \( \text{Percentage uncertainty} = \frac{\Delta x}{x} \times 100 % \) |
| 2. Kinematics | Distance-time & velocity-time graphs, SUVAT | \[ v^2 = u^2 + 2 a s \] |
| 3. Dynamics | Newton's laws, free-body diagrams, momentum | \( F = m a \quad \text{and} \quad F \Delta t = m \Delta v \) |
| 4. Forces | Turning moments, pressure, density | \( p = \frac{F}{A} \) |
| 5. Energy, Work, Power | KE-PE transfer, efficiency | \( KE = \tfrac12 m v^2 \) |
| 6. Thermal Physics | Conduction, convection, radiation; gas laws | \( p V = n R T \) |
| 7. Waves | Transverse vs longitudinal, sound, EM spectrum | \( v = f \lambda \) |
| 8. Light | Reflection, refraction, lenses, critical angle | \( n_i \sin \theta_i = n_r \sin \theta_r \) |
| 9. Electricity | Current, potential difference, \( R = \frac{V}{I} \), circuits | \( P = V I \) |
| 10. Magnetism & EM | Electromagnets, EM induction, transformers | \( E = - N \frac{\Delta \Phi}{\Delta t} \) |
| 11. Radioactivity | Alpha, beta, gamma, half-life | \( N = N_0 e^{-\lambda t} \) |
A complete topic list and LO statements occupy pp. 10 - 22 of the SEAB document.
3 | Assessment Objectives (AOs)
- AO1 Knowledge & Understanding — recall & define (≈ 30 %).
- AO2 Handling & Applying Information — explain, calculate, predict (≈ 50 %).
- AO3 Experimental Skills — plan, measure, analyse, evaluate (20 %).
AO3 is examined entirely in Paper 3 / 4, where candidates must:
- Plan a valid method with controlled variables.
- Manipulate & Measure accurately (e.g., read a vernier calliper to \( \pm 0.05 \text{mm} \)).
- Present Data in tables & graphs with correct sig-figs.
- Analyse, Conclude, Evaluate — gradient ± SE, comment on sources of error.
4 | What Changed for 2026
4.1 Practical goes digital
Candidates may use a spreadsheet to compute gradient and uncertainty; =LINEST() appears in the specimen mark scheme.
4.2 Mid-Years scrapped, WA cap
Since 2023, MOE has removed mid-year exams and limits each subject to one Weighted Assessment per term, shifting more weight onto fewer papers.
4.3 Competency-based descriptors
Mark schemes emphasise explanation quality (e.g., "valid improvement with quantified impact") over rote recall.
5 | Bridging to the Integrated Programme
Even though IP students skip the O-Levels, the O-Level core maps straight onto IP Year 3 checkpoints:
- Kinematics → SUVAT graphs in Sec 3 IP Physics.
- Energy & power → SHM energy interchange.
- Uncertainty rules → H2 Paper 4 ACE paragraphs.
Early mastery therefore smooths the Y2→Y3 "acceleration cliff" noted in IP school reports.
6 | Mini Checklist Before Each WA
- Quote every raw reading with unit & \( \pm \tfrac12 \text{l.d.} \).
- Use ≥ 50 % graph area; label axes with quantity / unit.
- Calculate gradient with the largest triangle; if using Sheets, extract \( m \) and its standard error from the trend-line box.
- Round final answers to the least significant figure among inputs.
- State one systematic & one random error, and suggest quantified improvements.
7 | Key Equations Sheet (print & pin)
\[ \begin{aligned} v &= u + a t \\[4pt] v^2 &= u^2 + 2 a s \\[4pt] p &= m v \\[4pt] KE &= \tfrac12 m v^2 \\[4pt] n_i \sin \theta_i &= n_r \sin \theta_r \\[4pt] P &= V I = I^2 R = \tfrac{V^2}{R} \end{aligned} \]
