Yeah, I agree with you in that having more time will probably produce better essays, but at the same time how could you hold an examination for a whole day? And if it wasn't under exam conditions, wouldn't that result in cheating or sharing of ideas etc.
Completely forgot about plagiarism when I made the comment on a day, but in general maybe having the 3 essays split up with longer writing periods and breaks in between? But yes, that would be a problem.
I believe the Subject is a waste of time for people trying to pursue something in STEM so it would be even better if they make it non compulsory and people who want to can do it.
I wouldn't say it is a waste of time as everyone needs english skills, however does it need to be in the top 4, no.
I'm also a STEM student and would rather english be taught to me for skills needed in the future, e.g writing reports.
I don't agree with the idea of writing multiple essays in different areas during one exam session. I see time and time again comments re: memorising quotes, memorising whole essays and jesus that defeats the purpose of why we assess in the first place, to see what we know, not what we can regurgitate.
I don't mind the idea of time-based assessment in moderation but the English exam packs way too much into it. I think the way which VCAA assesses students in the end of year exams (in general) is wrong purely because it causes unjust anxiety and forces students to go on the defensive rather than genuinely demonstrate what they know. Just my thoughts on it anyway.
I was never any good at English purely because (like DrDusk has mentioned) I am STEM-inclined and my key strength is computing/IT but variety is good - I would argue that nothing is a 'waste of time' if you are positively learning from the subject. I'm glad they're undertaking a massive review of VCE English purely because it's the only compulsory subject in the VCE program (which imo it shouldn't be) but it may address some shortfalls currently present.
Definitely agree with you there! What they want you to know and regurgitate is ridiculous and doesn't teach you much other than how to do an exam..
I do think that this is the case for alot of subject though at the moment, with more emphasis of memorisation and regurgitation. The exam should be split up, another thing I don't think people realise is the amount of strain hands can get from writing that fast for so long, and it compromises performance if your in pain.