Exam advice?

[Sunshine]

Hi guys,
I have a problem of getting very good sac scores but not transferring them into my exam score. For example last year, I did health and HD. My average sac scores for both units 3 and 4 were an A+ but on the exam I got a B and a study score of 36. It happened again this year too, with myself averaging an A+ for unit 3 but got a B+ on the mid year. I feel as though my hard work to achieve high marks in sacs will come undone with the exam. Any advice?

[chrisjb]

practice more man. Do lots of practice exams, work out how they allocate marks, download B^3's exam tracker thingy, just keep on chugging away and you'll be alright.

[b^3]

The link is in my sig if you don't know what he is on about. But before you start exams, make sure you understand the content of the course. If you know the content, but don't do well on the exams, then make sure you are eating right and getting a good sleep the night before. Most importantly confidence helps (but too much is not a good thing). If you think you are going to do bad, then you will do bad. If you are positive about it, then you will do better. Say to yourself "I can do this", it will help.

[Truck]

Just prepare for an exam the way you'd prepare for a Test, except instead of only doing shit the night before do a crap-ton of practice exams and revise more. I mean there's heaps of things people do to do well on an exam with varying success for each person, but the reality is if you put the hours in you'll MOST LIKELY do well.

[scocliffe09]

Yes practice exams are the way to go. VCE, in many instances, does not test your knowledge or skill but rather your ability to apply that knowledge or skill to specific questions set by VCAA and produce the responses they desire. Past assessment reports are going to be the most useful to you - they indicate where people have done badly in the past (i.e. stuff which is likely to be tested again) and what the examiners expect in terms of answers. Really dissect these reports!
Also - it is a good idea to get some form of opinion outside your school classroom - whether that be friends from other schools, books, tutors, lectures or whatever - it is really hard to do well if you only utilise the resources provided to you by your school.

[Lasercookie]

Simply understanding the course isn't enough. It doesn't matter if you do 20, 40, 50 practice exams, make sure you're doing them properly. Once you finish a practice exam, mark harshly (I don't bother giving myself consequential marks - I either mark the question as correct or incorrect) and look at the assessor reports and solutions. Redo any questions that you got wrong and dissect the exam to make sure you understand everything.

Make sure you adhere to timing really strictly. I did well in sacs, aced just about every practice exam, understood the content pretty well but ended up with a C+ on the physics midyear because I didn't pace myself well enough when it came to crunch time.

[b^3]

... but the reality is if you put the hours in you'll MOST LIKELY do well.

Thats VCE for you. It's not how intelligent you are, it's hard how you work throughout the year.

Make sure you adhere to timing really strictly. I did well in sacs, aced just about every practice exam, understood the content pretty well but ended up with a C+ on the physics midyear because I didn't pace myself well enough when it came to crunch time.

Physics this year was long winded and tricky, too much theory.
I said it before, and I'll say it again. Have a ++++POSTIVE ATTITUDE++++ and you will do better, (Just don't be too positive that you become arrogant)

[Sunshine]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies:) Your advice has really helped and I'll take it on board. Someone mentioned having confidence in myself.. Well I've had self confidence issues since I was younger so I doubt myself all the time even though I know the stuff. But yeah thanks guys:)

[Sunshine]

Ok, I didn't want to start another thread so I thought I'd just post it here. I applied online for a job a while back, but last week I recieved an email saying I have been invited to a group interview. I don't know if it's such a great idea getting a job now as exams are fast approaching. But on the other hand isn't this the time when they start to hire for the Christmas period? So I have no idea whether to go or not as I wanted to work heaps over the Christmas period but not during november( due to exams). Thoughts?

[s.ay]

I would go. Just because you attend a group interview does not mean you have to accept an offer if it arises. Also, you will never know what they are wanting unless you go. OR maybe give them a call clarifying their expectations on when you are to start working? haha sorry I'm not much help.

[Sunshine]

Haha no it was! Wasn't really expecting anyone to reply so thanks:)Yeah I'm sorta leaning towards going and just see want they do want, like you said.

[s.ay]

haha I'm glad. You should. Attendance is not a binding contract, also, if anything, it is good experience Good luck, whatever you do!