Taiwan High School Physics Exam Deemed Most Difficult in Four Years

Physics teachers in Taipei have characterized this year's college entrance exam as the most challenging in the last four years, primarily due to the extensive calculations and complex numerical problems presented. They observed that a significant portion of the exam, approximately 80%, required computational work, a marked increase from previous years.

Teachers like Tsai Hao-wei from Songshan High School pointed out an uneven distribution of topics, with a substantial weightage given to mechanics from the first and second volumes, as well as electromagnetism and quantum phenomena. Content typically covered in the third year of high school appeared prominently, potentially creating difficulties for students who had not yet fully grasped these advanced concepts. The exam offered few easily answerable questions, making it a strenuous test for candidates.

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The questions are distributed more unevenly than in the past, with mechanics from the first volume accounting for 16 points; mechanics II and thermodynamics accounting for 21 points, waves, light, and sound accounting for 17 points; electromagnetism I accounting for 9 points; and electromagnetism II and quantum phenomena accounting for 37 points. Content covered in the third year of high school accounts for the highest proportion, which may lead to difficulties in answering.

Conversely, the examination center defended the test's design, asserting that it integrated real-life situations and contemporary technology, such as mobile phone communications, car horns, portable stoves, and drone flight principles. They emphasized that the exam focused on fundamental concepts, deductive reasoning, calculation abilities, and the interpretation of diagrams, alongside experimental operations and expressive skills. The center described the overall difficulty as moderate.

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Compared to last year, when about 50% of the questions required calculation, this year it has increased to 80%. For example, questions 18 to 20 on Newton's second law of motion experiment belong to a tricky question type that requires strong proof and calculation ability.

Teachers Lai Yi-fan and Chen Chih-chih from Jianguo High School noted the jump in calculation-heavy questions from about 50% last year to 80% this year. They highlighted specific questions, such as those on Newton's second law of motion and the physics of the Morpho butterfly's wings, as particularly demanding. Concerns were also raised about a question on internal resistance and another on the concept of energy conservation related to car horns potentially exceeding the curriculum scope.

Despite these concerns, the examination center's advisor, Shen Ching-sung, reiterated that most questions were of moderate difficulty, with some being relatively easy. He cited a question on mobile phone frequency ranges as an example of an accessible problem. However, he acknowledged that questions requiring substantial calculation, like those on Newton's second law, might have tested students' patience. The center also highlighted unique questions focusing on circuit design and measurement, encouraging students to explore different experimental methods and analyze data uncertainty, aligning with the curriculum's emphasis on practical application and real-world phenomena.

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Most of the questions are integrated with life situations... The overall difficulty of the paper is moderate, with most questions being of moderate difficulty and some questions being relatively easy.