Many New Zealand parents often ask me:
“Is IB really the hardest?”
“Is NCEA the easiest?”
“Is Cambridge A Level worth taking?”
“Chinese Gaokao physics is tough — is overseas physics too easy in comparison?”
👀 Today, let’s use a single real-life example to help you quickly grasp the differences among these four systems.
🧪 One Question, Four Systems
Example topic: Uniform Circular Motion + Force Composition
A mass attached to a string is swung in circular motion.
Chinese Gaokao Version
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Focuses on extreme conditions, such as deriving the minimum speed needed to complete circular motion, then calculating net force and kinetic energy.
- Key skills: Formula recall and substitution calculations
- Feature: Standardized, single-answer format; students familiar with the problem type can recall results directly.
NCEA Version
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Simplified and more conversational, e.g.:
- “What keeps the ball moving in a circle?”
- “Explain why the string tension is larger when the ball spins faster.”
- Key skills: Explaining principles with precise language
- Feature: Emphasizes descriptive reasoning and scientific explanation rather than calculation.
Cambridge A Level Version
Difficulty: ★★★★☆
Real-life modeling, e.g., using a playground swing ball scenario to explore:
- Relationship between angular and linear velocity
- Tension TTT as a function of radius rrr, mass mmm, and rotational speed nnn
- Function links among angle, rotational speed, tension, and frequency (sometimes involving impulse, not in the Chinese syllabus)
- Key skills: Multi-step derivations + modeling + structured written explanations
- Feature: Questions provide guidance to secure partial credit, but full marks require solid mastery.
IB HL Physics Version
Difficulty: ★★★★★
Goes beyond derivations, often including:
- Energy transformation (kinetic energy → tension changes)
- Graph analysis (V vs T graphs)
- Experimental design: How to measure tension vs speed?
- Key skills: Cross-topic integration + investigative skills + extended written responses
- Feature: Most academically rigorous, broad in scope, emphasizing research-style thinking.