Hi hungrymuffin,
Practical exams can sometimes be tricky to prepare for, but it's great that you are trying to get yourself as ready as possible.
FULL DISCLAIMER: I'm not too familiar with the new Biology syllabus, but I did have a look at it while I wrote this post.
As you already said, it's a good idea to go back and revise your content from each of the modules. But additionally, perhaps go through the syllabus inquiry questions, focusing in particular on points that start with language that implies practicals - e.g. "investigate". From there, you can get a general idea of what you could potentially be required to do in the practical and if you're really keen, could do a bit of research into what HSC level experiments might look like for these.
These are the points that I've interpreted as achieved in practicals, but definitely check out the syllabus yourself as well:
DNA and Polypeptide Synthesis: construct appropriate representations to model and compare the forms in which DNA exists in
eukaryotes and prokaryotes
Genetic Variation: - conduct practical investigations to predict variations in the genotype of offspring by modelling
meiosis, including the crossing over of homologous chromosomes, fertilisation and mutations
- collect, record and present data to represent frequencies of characteristics in a population, in
order to identify trends, patterns, relationships and limitations in data, for example: examining frequency data, analysing single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
For module 6, especially the technologies section, I'm not sure how practical skills could be tested as such, but I definitely think the principles and content taught in these parts could be used in writing up a report discussion or in the context of a module 5 skill.
Some classic hands-on tasks for module 5 I could think of that you could familiarise yourself with:
- Microscopy techniques: preparing specimen, using a microscope, making accurate and scaled drawings
- Using punnett squares and pedigrees to determine genotypes, phenotypes and hereditary.
- Plant dissections of reproductive organs, also labelled drawings of this.
- Extracting DNA from different things, e.g. a strawberry.
- Making a model of DNA or a process in polypeptide synthesis.
At the end of the day, practical exams are designed to be doable without a lot of prior preparation, so as long as you are comfortable writing a scientific report, and can follow the instructions clearly, keep track of time and apply all the knowledge you have been learning, you should do just fine.
All the best for the exam!