Physical Sciences Level 3 — PSC315118, current for 2026
The written examination assesses Criteria 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 through sections A–E. Each section carries 36 raw marks, giving 180 marks over 180 minutes of working time, with 15 minutes of preparation time. Raw marks are converted to criterion ratings. The final award uses eight internal ratings and five external ratings; it is not described as a fixed examination percentage. All examination questions are written responses. Use the current Physical Sciences Information Sheet and a TASC-approved scientific calculator, following the official instructions for the sitting.
Past papers on this subject span more than one course document. Papers written under an older one still work as practice, but the modules they test have changed — the index labels every paper with the course document it was set under.
Five 36-mark sections — check current specifications · 2022–present2021 paper: five 32-mark parts · 2021–2021
The modules, one by one
Each area below lists the concepts named in the course document, what the TASC exam asks of them, and the mistake that most often costs marks.
- Criterion 4 — Atoms and nuclear reactions
- Criterion 5 — Motion and force
- Criterion 6 — Conservation in physics
- Criterion 7 — Chemical structures and properties
- Criterion 8 — Reactions and reacting quantities
Area 1 of 5
Criterion 4 — Atoms and nuclear reactions
Connect atomic structure, isotopes and electron arrangements with physical and chemical behaviour. Balance nuclear equations and use whole-number half-life steps to interpret changes in activity, mass or count rate.
What the course document lists under this area · 4 points
- Atomic structure and the periodic table: Electron configuration, shells and periodic trends in atomic radii and valency
- Isotopes and relative atomic mass: Isotopes, mass spectra and calculating relative atomic mass from abundances
- Radioactive decay and decay equations: Alpha, beta negative and gamma decay: equations, metastable isotopes and penetrating power
- Half-life, fission and radiation safety: Half-life calculations, decay graphs, induced fission chain reactions and the biological effects of ionising radiation
What the exam asks
Section A uses written explanations and calculations. Identify the particles and quantities that change, distinguish isotope composition from chemical identity and show each decay step.
Where marks go missing
A change in neutron number does not change the element. Distinguish penetrating ability from ionising ability and subtract background count where the question requires it.
Area 2 of 5
Criterion 5 — Motion and force
Describe motion using displacement, velocity and acceleration, and connect forces to changes in motion. Use consistent directions and appropriate equations for uniform acceleration and horizontal projection.
What the course document lists under this area · 4 points
- Describing motion: Scalars, vectors and the equations of uniformly accelerated motion
- Motion graphs: Constructing and reading s-t, v-t and a-t graphs, and using slopes and areas
- Vectors and projectile motion: Right-angle vector addition, vertical motion under gravity and horizontal projectile motion
- Newton's laws, force and momentum: Force diagrams, weight and normal reaction, F = ma and F = Δp/Δt
What the exam asks
Section B can combine motion graphs, force diagrams and calculations. Identify the known quantities, choose a suitable relation and interpret signs and units in context.
Where marks go missing
Distance and displacement are different quantities. Horizontal and vertical projectile components share the same time but obey different equations; a horizontal launch does not give an initial vertical velocity.
Area 3 of 5
Criterion 6 — Conservation in physics
Track momentum, work, energy and power through stated systems. Analyse electrical quantities and the specified series or parallel resistor arrangements, connecting conservation reasoning with numerical results.
What the course document lists under this area · 4 points
- Conservation of momentum: One-dimensional collisions and explosions using Σp(before) = Σp(after)
- Work, energy and the conservation of energy: Work Done = Fs, Ek and Ep, energy transformations and elastic versus inelastic collisions
- Power: Average power in kinetic and gravitational potential energy situations, and household kilowatt-hour costs
- Electric circuits: Charge, current, potential difference, Ohm's Law, ohmic and non-ohmic devices, and series and parallel circuits
What the exam asks
Section C requires a clearly defined system, justified assumptions and working that links the initial and final conditions. Convert units before calculating energy use or comparing power.
Where marks go missing
Energy and power are not interchangeable. Identify the system before applying conservation, and distinguish a resistor’s resistance from the current through it or potential difference across it.
Area 4 of 5
Criterion 7 — Chemical structures and properties
Relate bonding, particle arrangement and intermolecular attractions to observable properties. Represent the specified hydrocarbon and halogen-substituted structures, using valid bonds and consistent names.
What the course document lists under this area · 4 points
- Bonding and structure: Metallic, ionic, covalent molecular and covalent network structures and the properties they explain
- Ions, formulae and naming: Common cations and anions, naming ionic and covalent molecular compounds, and electron dot diagrams
- Analytical chemistry and precipitation: Solubility rules, overall and net ionic equations, spectator ions, flame tests and gas tests
- Organic chemistry: aliphatic hydrocarbons: IUPAC naming, isomers and the reactions of alkanes, alkenes and cyclic compounds
What the exam asks
Section D combines representations with explanations. Connect a property to the particles present and the interactions affected, rather than repeating a substance’s classification.
Where marks go missing
Boiling a molecular substance does not normally break its molecules’ covalent bonds. Distinguish intramolecular bonding from attractions between molecules, and check carbon valency in every structural formula.
Area 5 of 5
Criterion 8 — Reactions and reacting quantities
Use balanced chemical equations to connect observations with reacting amounts. Convert among mass, amount of substance and concentration, and explain the specified acid–base, precipitation and reaction-rate behaviour.
What the course document lists under this area · 4 points
- The mole and reacting quantities: n = m/M, n = N/N(A), the Law of Conservation of Mass and simple stoichiometry
- Empirical and molecular formulae: Percentage composition by mass, water of crystallisation and formula determination
- Acids, bases and pH: The Brønsted-Lowry model, common acids and bases, monoprotic and polyprotic acids, strong versus concentrated
- Solutions, dilution and titration: c = n/V, converting mol L-1 and g L-1, dilution calculations and simple acid-base titrations
What the exam asks
Section E requires chemical reasoning supported by equations and units. Establish the reacting mole ratio before converting to the requested mass or concentration.
Where marks go missing
Coefficients give mole ratios, not direct mass ratios. Convert solution volume to litres for concentration calculations, and do not introduce limiting-reactant or logarithmic pH requirements outside the course scope.
Common questions
Are the multiple-choice drills official exam questions?
No. Multiple-choice items are an ATARMAxxing revision format. The original full practice examinations use written responses; official papers are linked separately.
Does a raw score out of 180 determine the course award directly?
No. The marks contribute to external criterion ratings. TASC combines the external and internal ratings under its award requirements; do not replace this with a simple percentage average.
Why does the 2021 paper look different?
It uses five parts of 32 marks for 160 marks. The later reference structure uses sections A–E with 36 marks each. Follow the instructions and assessment specifications relevant to the paper you are using.
Is the displayed 180-minute duration the whole supervised session?
It is working time. The reference arrangements also allow 15 minutes of preparation. Check the official cover and current instructions for how the sitting is administered.
Do assessment reports replace worked marking keys?
No. They discuss examination performance and common issues. Use them alongside the matching official paper, and distinguish their advice from the original worked solutions supplied in this practice hub.