PYQ Analysis — Last 10 Years
Pattern recognition is the fastest route to more marks. Every major exam repeats patterns. Know them, beat them.
CBSE Topic Weightage
CBSE Question Patterns (10yr)
- Define displacement vs distance (direct definition)
- "Can average speed be zero?" (Yes/No with reason)
- Unit of acceleration (m/s²)
- Condition for equations of motion to be valid
- Derive v = u + at (most repeated — appears 6/10 years)
- A car from rest, find v and s — standard substitution
- Interpret a given x–t or v–t graph
- "Draw v–t graph for uniform acceleration"
- Derive s = ut + ½at² graphically (velocity–time area method)
- Ball thrown from building, find time to reach ground
- Two-phase motion (accelerate then decelerate)
- Case study — car braking problem (new pattern 2021+)
CBSE Year-wise Question Focus
| Year | Topic Tested | Marks | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Case study: braking problem | 5 | Case Study |
| 2023 | Derive s = ut + ½at² + ball thrown up | 3+2 | Derivation |
| 2022 | v-t graph area = displacement | 3 | Graph |
| 2021 | nth second formula proof + numerical | 3 | Formula |
| 2020 | Derive v² = u² + 2as (graphically) | 3 | Derivation |
| 2019 | Two cars relative velocity meeting time | 2 | Numerical |
| 2018 | Ball thrown up: max height, time of flight | 3 | Numerical |
NEET Topic Weightage
NEET Repeated Question Patterns
Appears in 7 out of 10 NEET papers. A v–t graph is given. Find displacement, total distance, or velocity at a specific time. Always check if v–t crosses zero — split the area there.
A ball thrown upward/dropped from height H. Find time to hit ground or velocity at impact. Standard in NEET 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022. Use s = ut + ½at² with correct sign convention.
"In what ratio are distances covered in 1st, 2nd, 3rd second by a body starting from rest?" → Answer: 1:3:5 (odd number ratio). Repeated in NEET 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021.
A particle moves, then returns. "Find average speed and average velocity." Average velocity = 0 for round trip. Average speed = Total distance/Time. Appears in assertion-reason frequently.
NEET Difficulty Distribution (1D Motion)
| Difficulty | % of Questions | Time Needed | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 40% | < 1 min | Direct formula. Do first. |
| Medium | 45% | 1–2 min | Identify type, set up correct equation. |
| Hard | 15% | 2–3 min | Graph interpretation or multi-phase. |
JEE Main Topic Weightage
JEE Main Patterns (2015–2024)
JEE Main now has 5 integer-type questions per section. Kinematics numericals (answers in integer form) have appeared in almost every paper 2019 onwards. These require exact calculation — no guessing possible.
A 3–4 segment v–t graph with a question asking for displacement at t = X or total distance. The v–t graph crosses zero — students must split area calculation. Extremely common in JEE Main 2020–2024.
Two objects thrown/moving differently. "When do they have the same velocity?" "When does A overtake B?" Setup: equate positions or velocities. JEE Main loves this pattern.
JEE Advanced Weightage
JEE Advanced Depth Requirements
JEE Advanced gives a paragraph (experiment/situation) with 3 questions. Each question builds on the previous. Example: find a → find v → find the range. Missing part 1 kills all 3 answers.
a = f(t) or a = f(x) type problems. Requires v = ∫a dt or v dv/dx = a(x). These appear exclusively in JEE Advanced. Solving them requires confident calculus application.
"Multiple Correct" type: 1, 2, 3, or all 4 options may be correct. Marks only if ALL correct options selected. For kinematics, these usually test edge cases: sign conventions, zero acceleration conditions, relative motion.
JEE Advanced Notable PYQ Topics
| Year | Question Theme | Concept Tested | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Variable force kinematics | a = f(t), integrate to find v | Very Hard |
| 2022 | Two particles, relative motion | v_AB from v–t graph reading | Hard |
| 2021 | Free fall + bouncing | Kinematics + collision combined | Hard |
| 2019 | v = f(x) type | Use v dv/dx = a, find position | Very Hard |
| 2017 | Multi-phase, changing acceleration | Segment-by-segment kinematics | Hard |
| 2015 | Graph: x = f(t), curved | Instantaneous velocity from slope | Hard |