About Physics
Physics seeks to understand nature at its most fundamental level. This involves attempting to discover and apply the general laws that govern force and motion, matter and energy, and space and time.
This page contains resources and tools to help support:
- internal and external assessment (exams)
- teachers delivering this subject
- learners taking this subject.
Changes to Physics
Physics is no longer available at Level 1. Physics, Earth and Space Science, a new subject on the New Zealand Curriculum, is now available.
Go to the Physics, Earth and Space Science (Level 1 only) subject page
On this page
Assessor Support
See how our online resources and workshops can support and improve your assessment practice.
Assessor Support homePhysics standards
Exemplars, reports, past exams and assessment schedules
Assessment specifications
2025 assessment specifications
Assessor support materials for internal assessment
National moderator's report
Annual reports on issues and trends in assessment
View moderator's reportRequest clarification form
Teachers can request clarification of a standard with this form
Open request clarification formRemote assessment matrix
Guidance for teachers if learning and assessment needs to be completed remotely
Download matrix [PDF, 171KB]Alternative evidence gathering templates
Templates for student results when direct assessment is not possible
Get templatesMore resources
Glossaries For Translated NCEA External Examinations:
NZQA Science & Technology Terms (English to Māori) [PDF, 1.4 MB]
NZQA Science & Technology Terms (Māori to English) [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Level 3 Physics, 2013 Resource booklet for 91523, 91524 and 91526 [PDF, 537 KB]
Tools
Level 1 assessment matrix
Use this Physics, Earth and Space Science matrix on NCEA.education with new standards in 2024
Go to the matrix
Level 2 and 3 assessment matrix
Use this Physics, Earth and Space Science matrix for Level 2 and 3 standards
Download matrix [DOCX, 38.5KB]
Career guidance
Career information and tools to help your students on careers.govt.nz
Go to careers.govt.nz