Mechanics accounts for about two-thirds of the physics questions
If you are preparing for CSCA Physics, start with one number: 121 mechanics questions.
According to the official CSCA Physics Examination Syllabus (2025 Edition), the physics exam lasts 60 minutes and contains 48 single-choice questions, with a full score of 100; the exam is available in Chinese or English. The syllabus divides the content into five modules: Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Thermodynamics, Optics and Modern Physics.
To understand how the questions are actually distributed, we counted 4 past papers (2025-12-21, 2026-01-25, 2026-03-15, 2026-04-25), 188 questions in total (with 4 questions missing). We assigned each question to one knowledge point, then merged them by chapter into 13 sections.
The result is quite concentrated: the 6 mechanics sections contain 121 questions, 64% of all questions. In other words, about two out of every three physics questions test mechanics. For international students, mechanics is the priority in physics review.
Number of questions in the 6 sections (and in each of the 4 past papers)
Below are the question counts for the 6 mechanics sections, with the counts for the 4 past papers in brackets:
- Kinematics: 40 questions (10, 12, 11, 7), an average of 10 per paper — the section with the most questions in physics
- Forces and equilibrium: 28 questions (6, 5, 6, 11)
- Work and energy: 22 questions (5, 5, 5, 7)
- Newton's laws: 13 questions (3, 4, 2, 4)
- Momentum: 9 questions (4, 2, 2, 1)
- Oscillations and waves: 9 questions (2, 2, 2, 3)
These numbers show two things. First, kinematics clearly has the largest number of questions, and every one of the 4 past papers had at least 7 questions on it, so it is a section where you cannot afford to lose marks. Second, forces and equilibrium and work and energy together contain 50 questions, more than kinematics, which shows that force analysis and energy relationships are equally important.
The mechanics scope in the syllabus
The mechanics content in the syllabus is not large and can be divided into six blocks:
- Kinematics: displacement, velocity, acceleration, uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion, free fall
- Newton's laws of motion and their applications
- Momentum and impulse, law of conservation of momentum
- Work and energy, law of conservation of mechanical energy
- Circular motion and universal gravitation
- Simple harmonic motion and mechanical waves
Note the last block: circular motion and universal gravitation, and simple harmonic motion and mechanical waves, are listed separately in the syllabus. In the 6 sections counted above, "oscillations and waves" has 9 questions; circular motion and universal gravitation is not listed separately in our sections, so no question count can be given. So when reviewing, do not focus only on rectilinear motion; go through every line written in the syllabus.
Suggested review order
Given the question numbers and how the topics build on one another, it is best to start with kinematics and work through the sections in order. Later sections rely on the tools introduced in earlier ones, so changing the order can easily lead to repeated rework.
- Kinematics. Begin by memorizing the three basic formulas: v = v₀ + at, x = v₀t + at²/2, v² − v₀² = 2ax. At the same time, learn to read x–t and v–t graphs.
- Forces and equilibrium. Practice force analysis: first identify the object of study, then draw every force acting on it in the order of gravity, normal force, friction and tension. When an object is at rest or moving in uniform rectilinear motion, the resultant force is zero.
- Newton's laws. The core here is F = ma. F is the resultant force, not a single force, so this step will only go right if the force diagram from step 2 is correct.
- Work and energy. W = Fs·cosθ, kinetic energy Eₖ = mv²/2, gravitational potential energy Eₚ = mgh. When gravity is the only force doing work, mechanical energy is conserved.
- Momentum. p = mv. When a system is not subject to external forces, momentum is conserved.
- Oscillations and waves, circular motion and universal gravitation. Learn the definitions and basic formulas set out in the syllabus; you do not need to tackle very difficult questions all at once—first become familiar with the concepts and formulas.
Of these, kinematics has 40 questions, forces and equilibrium 28, and work and energy 22. Together these three sections come to 90 questions, close to half of the 188, and are the parts most worth prioritizing.
What to pay attention to in the exam room
CSCA does not permit calculators, and the numbers in the questions usually have to be worked out by hand. So do not use a calculator in your daily practice either; build the habit of calculating for yourself, so that you do not fail to finish the 48 questions because your calculations are too slow in the exam room.
Another tip: draw the force diagram first, then set up the equations. This can prevent many mistakes.
Next step
The physics section of CSCA.PRO offers a 15-minute diagnostic and knowledge point learning. You can test yourself first and then practice section by section. It is best to do the diagnostic first, to see whether you lose the most marks in kinematics, forces and equilibrium, or work and energy, and then focus your time on the sections with the largest numbers of questions.