Class of 2020 (and earlier) - now that you've been there, done that, what are your tips?
This thread is a throwback!
Here is what I suggest:
1. !!!Practice Questions!!!I would 100% suggest doing LOTS of practice questions including those from the NESA website, ask your teachers for extra exam practice style questions and even doing questions from VCE, QCE, WACE etc. (But make sure they are relevant to your syllabus for NSW). Getting to a level where you know that whatever is on that exam paper, I already have either come across a similar question or have a strategy on how to answer that question.
The HSC is about how to apply the knowledge you have learned in class to different types of questions or scenarios
2. Start early.You think you have time, but each day will pass, and eventually, you will wish you had started earlier; If you did start early, once you get to the exam you will notice the difference.
3. Notes for subjectsI would have two documents for my notes, one for overall notes and a second new one for a condensed version of your notes. Set a goal like,
"my Biology notes are only going to be 5 pages long" or have notes that contain the necessary things, for quick referral in the morning before the exam.
4. Rank ImprovementThis is the last time (for most subjects) where you can significantly affect your rank in a subject. If you think about it, your current rank, whatever it may be, is not final but can be changed significantly depending on how you do in your trial exam. This is an excellent opportunity as trials are usually weighted pretty heavy (30% - 40%).
5. Now or NeverGo into the exam room with an attitude like, "I will smash this exam not matter what it takes, I did the work, I have put in 120% and now it's my time to show it", and walk into the exam room feeling excited and confident that you will be able to answer any question they are likely to give you (even if you really aren't) --> Kind of do reverse psychologically
6. Question PlanHave a plan for each type of question and how to approach them for each subject. For Example, what does a 3 mark question need and what structure? Or what does an 8 mark question look like, the different types and what structure will I need?
7. Game PlanAlso, have some sort of schedule/ game plan with goals and how to achieve these goals and envision yourself looking at your paper after its marked
8. Review ConstantlyFlashcards are good for this, but once you study something or do a practice question, come back to that piece of material about 3 times every day, this will ensure that over time, your brain recognises this material as "important" and should store it in your long term memory for easier retrieval when sitting the exam.
9. Every Minute Has to CountIf on public transport you could go over flashcards, read notes or think about how you are going to answer some practice questions. If waiting for something (like 10 minutes), that could be an extra 10 minutes of study. Over time these 10 minute or longer will add up to hours and eventually many hours. For Example, if you had to wait for a bus for 10 minutes everyday (including weekends), over the course of a week, it will compound to 1 hour and 10 minutes of extra study. If this continued for a month, then there is an extra 4 hours and 40 minutes
10. ExamplesMake sure that under each and every syllabus dot point, you are able to provide at least two examples for that dot point. This is extremely helpful when in exam situations, as you see the question. I would go about it like this:
1. Identify what dot points the question is using
2. Think about the syllabus and identify where these dot points are coming from; Like what module and sub-topic
3. Pull out the examples to show a depth of understanding and also support your answer
Believe in yourself and know that you have learned what you need to know over the course of the year
Goodluck with your trials everyone. You
CAN do it!
Coolmate