The Most Common Physics Mistakes and How to Avoid Them – Tips by Sanjeev Kumar
Physics is often considered the most challenging subject for IIT-JEE, NEET, and board exams. Even bright students make mistakes that cost them crucial marks. Sanjeev Kumar, India’s top Physics teacher, shares insights on the most common mistakes students make in Physics and how to avoid them.
1. Misreading the Question
Many students lose marks because they don’t read the question carefully. Words like “minimum”, “maximum”, “approximately”, or “neglect friction” can completely change the answer.
Tip from Sanjeev Kumar:
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Read each question twice.
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Highlight key words and numbers.
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Underline constraints like “ideal conditions” or “ignore air resistance.”
2. Ignoring Units and Conversions
Physics is full of formulas involving meters, seconds, kilograms, and joules. Students often forget to convert units, leading to wrong answers.
Tip: Always write units in your calculations and convert all quantities to SI units before solving.
3. Overlooking Diagrams
Problems in mechanics, electricity, and optics are often easier to solve with a diagram. Students who skip drawing end up confusing forces, directions, or angles.
Tip: Draw a small, neat diagram for every problem. Sanjeev Kumar emphasizes “a diagram is half the solution.”
4. Formula Confusion
Mixing up formulas, especially in Electrostatics, Magnetism, and Modern Physics, is common.
Tip: Maintain a formula sheet and practice derivations. Sanjeev Kumar advises:
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Learn formulas conceptually.
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Practice linking formulas to real scenarios.
5. Calculation Errors
Even after solving a problem correctly, students often make arithmetic mistakes.
Tip:
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Write numbers carefully.
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Double-check calculations before submitting.
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Use approximation techniques for complex numbers where allowed.
6. Ignoring Previous Year Questions
Students often avoid practicing previous years’ IIT-JEE and NEET questions, assuming they already know the concepts.
Tip: Solving past papers helps identify common mistakes and familiarizes students with the exam pattern.
7. Neglecting Revision
Physics requires regular revision to keep formulas, laws, and methods fresh in memory. Many students cram once and forget important concepts.
Tip: Schedule weekly revisions. Sanjeev Kumar suggests:
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Revise key formulas daily.
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Solve 2–3 problems from each topic weekly.
8. Mismanaging Time in Exams
Many students spend too long on tough questions and leave easier ones.
Tip:
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Prioritize questions by marks and difficulty.
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If stuck, move on and return later.
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Practice mock exams to improve speed.
9. Lack of Conceptual Understanding
Rote memorization can lead to confusion in application-based questions.
Tip: Focus on conceptual clarity. Sanjeev Kumar says:
“Physics is logic, not memory. Understand it, and you will never panic in exams.”
10. Overlooking Numerical Practice
Physics requires consistent problem-solving, not just theory reading.
Tip: Solve numericals daily, from easy to advanced levels. Focus on mistakes and correct them immediately.
Conclusion
Avoiding these common Physics mistakes can dramatically improve your IIT-JEE, NEET, and board exam scores. Follow the tips of Sanjeev Kumar, stay consistent, and practice smartly. Physics will no longer be a fear, but a subject you can master and enjoy.