It’s a question many students — and even parents — wonder about: Can I still do well in physics if I’m not good at math?
The short answer is: yes, you can — but how easy or challenging it feels depends on your level of study, your approach to learning, and how you strengthen your foundations along the way.
Physics at Lower Secondary and O Levels: Yes, You Can
For students encountering physics for the first time — usually around upper secondary after PSLE — the subject is still very manageable even if math isn’t your strongest area. At this stage, physics focuses more on understanding concepts than on complex calculations.
O Level Physics Syllabus
Students learn to connect everyday experiences to scientific explanations — why things fall, how sound travels, or how light behaves. Equations are introduced, but they’re simple and repetitive, making it possible to master them through practice.
However, at A Levels, physics becomes more quantitative.
A Level Physics Syllabus
The first topic alone, Foundations of Physics, introduces you to:
- Physical quantities and SI units
- Scalars and vectors
- Errors and uncertainties
These aren’t just terms to memorise — they’re part of the reasoning framework that underpins every calculation that follows. The ability to handle numbers, interpret graphs, and apply formulas correctly becomes increasingly important.
Physics at A Levels: It Becomes More Challenging
Physics at A Level
At the H1 and H2 Physics level, students who struggle with math often find topics like Electricity and Magnetism or Waves and Quantum Physics more demanding.
For instance, understanding how voltage, current, and resistance are related through Ohm’s Law (V = IR) requires confidence with algebra and rearranging equations.
That said, even students who aren’t mathematically inclined can still do well — especially through structured practice and pattern recognition. Some rely more on repetition and memorisation, but the most effective approach involves linking why formulas work with how they’re applied.
Physics is not just about numbers; it’s a subject of logic, intuition, and cause-and-effect.
In short: math helps, but clear reasoning helps more.
Make Smart Choices Along Your Education Path
If you’re currently deciding your subject combinations — from PSLE to O Levels to A Levels — ask yourself how central physics is to your goals.
If you’re already taking physics and struggling, it’s important to assess your current options.
- For secondary school students, moving from Pure Physics (G3) to Combined Science (G2) can sometimes help balance workload while still keeping exposure to key physics ideas.
- For JC students, dropping from H2 Physics to H1 Physics may not always be feasible due to timing. In this case, investing in extra practice and strengthening your fundamentals can make a huge difference.
Many students in this situation choose to seek extra guidance from specialised physics programmes, such as PivotPhysics Tuition, which focuses on developing both conceptual understanding and quantitative confidence.
So, Can You Still Do Physics If You’re Bad at Math?
Logical Thinking
Absolutely — as long as you’re willing to work smart and focus on understanding over memorisation. Physics rewards curiosity, persistence, and logical thinking as much as mathematical skill.
Math may be the language of physics, but the heart of physics lies in asking questions, connecting patterns, and exploring how the world works. Many students who once struggled with formulas later found physics to be one of their most rewarding subjects simply because they learned to visualise and reason rather than blindly calculate.
If you’re struggling, start small: strengthen your basics, review core formulas, and practise applying them in context. With consistency and the right guidance, physics can shift from intimidating to intuitive — and maybe even become your strongest subject.
Final Thoughts
Being “bad at math” doesn’t mean you can’t do physics. It just means you need to learn differently — with more emphasis on clarity, logic, and guided practice.
Whether you’re aiming for O Level or A Level success, remember that understanding the fundamentals is what truly matters. And if you ever feel stuck, there are always supportive educators and structured systems — like PivotPhysics — ready to help you build confidence step by step.
Physics isn’t reserved for the mathematically gifted. It’s for anyone who’s ever looked at the world and wondered why.
Excel in Physics with PivotPhysics Tuition
PivotPhysics offers specialised Physics tuition for O-Level, A-Level H1/H2, and IP Physics students in Singapore.
With a proven track record, our lessons combine clear concept teaching, real-life applications, and exam-focused techniques to build a strong foundation and boost confidence in Physics.We also provide Physics Practical Lab Coaching aligned with SEAB standards to help students excel in their Paper 3 components.
👉 Contact us today to find out how PivotPhysics can support you or your child in achieving excellence in O-Level, A-Level, or IP Physics..
