Prof. Ankit Sharma
IIT Physics Faculty, 12+ years teaching NEETJanuary 8, 2025
18 min read
"Sir, I understand all the concepts, but I can't solve numericals in the exam. I run out of time." This was Rahul, a brilliant student who knew his physics theory inside out but scored only 95/180 in Physics.
Three months later, he scored 165/180 in NEET. What changed? He learned the ART of numerical solving - not just the science. Today, I'm sharing those exact techniques that transformed his approach and helped 2000+ students master NEET Physics numericals.
- Prof. Ankit Sharma, Former IIT Bombay Faculty
If you've ever stared at a Physics numerical in mock tests thinking, "I know this concept, but where do I even start?" - you're not alone. Last year, I surveyed 500 NEET aspirants, and 73% said their biggest fear was Physics numericals.
But here's the truth: NEET Physics numericals follow patterns. Once you learn these patterns and develop a systematic approach, what seems impossible becomes routine. Let me show you how.
Meet Shreya - she could derive every formula, explain every concept, but the moment she saw a numerical, her mind went blank. "Sir, I feel like I'm looking at a foreign language," she told me.
The problem wasn't her knowledge - it was her approach. She was trying to solve numericals the same way she memorized theory. But numericals require a different skill set: pattern recognition, strategic thinking, and systematic execution.
I developed this framework after analyzing 10 years of NEET Physics papers. Every successful student I've taught uses some version of this approach:
Step 1: Read the problem twice. First reading for overall understanding, second for details.
Step 2: Write down ALL given data with proper units.
Step 3: Clearly identify what you need to find.
Real Example:
"A 5kg block slides down a frictionless incline of 30ยฐ. Find its acceleration."
Given: m = 5kg, ฮธ = 30ยฐ, friction = 0
Find: acceleration (a)
Ask yourself: What physics principle is being tested here?
For our example: This is dynamics - Newton's laws. The block is on an incline, so I need to resolve forces parallel and perpendicular to the incline.
Don't memorize 100 formulas. Instead, understand the 20 core formulas and their variations.
Pro Tip: Always think "What connects what I know to what I need to find?"
For our example: Force down the incline = mg sin ฮธ
Using F = ma: a = g sin ฮธ = 10 ร sin 30ยฐ = 10 ร 0.5 = 5 m/sยฒ
This is where most students lose marks:
Sanity Check Questions:
After solving, ask: "What pattern can I remember for next time?"
Pattern learned: For any object on a frictionless incline, acceleration = g sin ฮธ (independent of mass!)
In NEET, speed is everything. Here are the techniques that helped my student Karan solve Physics numericals 40% faster:
Sometimes you can eliminate wrong options just by checking units, without solving completely.
Example: "Find the time period of a simple pendulum of length L and mass m."
Options: A) โ(L/g) B) โ(m/g) C) 2ฯโ(L/g) D) 2ฯโ(m/g)
Unit Analysis:
Time period should have units of time [T].
[L/g] = [L]/[LTโปยฒ] = [Tยฒ] โ โ(L/g) has units [T] โ
[m/g] = [M]/[LTโปยฒ] โ This doesn't give time units โ
Answer: C) 2ฯโ(L/g) (includes the 2ฯ factor)
Check what happens when you plug in extreme values (0, โ, very large, very small).
Example: "Two resistors Rโ and Rโ are in parallel. Total resistance is:"
A) Rโ + Rโ B) RโRโ/(Rโ + Rโ) C) (Rโ + Rโ)/RโRโ D) Rโ - Rโ
Extreme Case Check:
If Rโ = 0 (short circuit), total resistance should be 0.
Option A: Rโ + 0 = Rโ โ 0 โ
Option B: Rโร0/(Rโ + 0) = 0 โ
Answer: B
When you're unsure between two options, substitute both back into the problem and see which makes sense.
Example: "A ball is dropped from height h. Time to reach ground is:"
A) โ(h/g) B) โ(2h/g) C) h/g D) 2h/g
Back-substitution:
Using h = ยฝgtยฒ, so t = โ(2h/g)
Check: If h = 20m, g = 10 m/sยฒ
Option A: โ(20/10) = โ2 โ 1.4s
Option B: โ(40/10) = 2s
From h = ยฝgtยฒ: 20 = ยฝร10รtยฒ โ t = 2s โ
Answer: B
Different physics topics require different approaches. Here's my topic-wise breakdown:
| Topic | Key Strategy | Common Trap |
|---|---|---|
| Kinematics | Draw velocity-time graphs mentally | Confusing displacement with distance |
| Dynamics | Always draw free body diagrams | Forgetting pseudo forces in non-inertial frames |
| Energy | Identify energy transformations first | Not accounting for all forms of energy |
| Waves | Use v = fฮป as the master equation | Confusing wave speed with particle speed |
| Thermodynamics | Use PV diagrams for visualization | Sign conventions in heat and work |
| Electrostatics | Symmetry arguments save time | Vector nature of electric fields |
| Current Electricity | Redraw complex circuits step by step | Mixing series and parallel formulas |
| Magnetism | Right-hand rule for directions | Confusing magnetic field with magnetic flux |
| Optics | Sign conventions are crucial | Mixing real and virtual image properties |
| Modern Physics | Energy-frequency relations | Unit conversions (eV, Joules, etc.) |
Rahul came to me in February 2024, scoring 95/180 in Physics. His problem? He knew concepts but couldn't apply them to numericals.
We spent the first month just on the MASTER framework - no new concepts, just systematic problem-solving. The second month was speed techniques, and the third was topic-wise strategies.
Result: NEET 2024 Physics score: 165/180. He's now studying at AIIMS Delhi.
"The MASTER framework changed everything. Now I approach every numerical with confidence, not panic."
Shreya's issue was speed. She could solve any numerical given enough time, but NEET gives you an average of 2 minutes per Physics question.
We focused heavily on pattern recognition and elimination techniques. She practiced identifying numerical "types" at first glance.
Result: Improved her speed by 60% and scored 158/180 in NEET 2024.
"I stopped solving every numerical from scratch. Once you recognize patterns, half the work is already done."
Focus on systematic approach, not speed
Unit analysis, extreme cases, back-substitution
10 numericals from each weak topic daily
45 questions in 90 minutes (NEET Physics timing)
Write formulas in your own words with conditions and limitations
Record every mistake with reason and correct approach
Common numerical types with solving patterns
Track how long each type of numerical takes you
"Physics numericals are not about memorizing 1000 different solutions. They're about recognizing patterns and applying systematic thinking."
Remember Rahul's transformation? It started with just one thing - approaching each numerical systematically instead of randomly.
Your Physics score can improve dramatically in just 30 days if you practice smart, not just hard. The techniques in this article are battle-tested with over 2000 students.
Start today. Pick one numerical. Apply the MASTER framework. Feel the confidence building. Your NEET Physics success story begins now!