Why doesn't VCAA run the 3hr English exam over two days?

[MegShaw]

Why is the 3/4 English exam held only on one day, considering how difficult it is to write three essays in three hours?
Is there any specific reason why the English exam is not held over two days, rather like the maths exams, with say, maybe one essay on one day and two the next?

[CH3ezEC4KE]

I thought 3 essays in 3 hours was hard last year, until I got to uni. Now it's like 4 essays in 2 hours.

[thushan]

Yeah. The old VCE English course had 4 essays in 3 hours too.

[b^3]

Why is the 3/4 English exam held only on one day, considering how difficult it is to write three essays in three hours?
Is there any specific reason why the English exam is not held over two days, rather like the maths exams, with say, maybe one essay on one day and two the next?

Maths is a bit different though, since there's non-calculator and calculator exams, with the exception of Further Maths. Which I guess they made Further the same as the other two maths to follow that trend.

There's not much that you can do about it, so it's best to try and work out how you're going to attack it. Everyone is in the same position, you all have to go and sit the three hour exam and all write the three essays in that time. Give it your best shot given the circumstances that you're under (which will happen later in life too I guess, you'll won't be able to change the circumstances under which you have to perform, but still do whatever it is to the best of your ability). Anyways good luck.

[charmanderp]

Why is the 3/4 English exam held only on one day, considering how difficult it is to write three essays in three hours?
Is there any specific reason why the English exam is not held over two days, rather like the maths exams, with say, maybe one essay on one day and two the next?

Just because something is difficult, it doesn't make it not worth doing

[shinny]

Financial reasons. Midyears already got axed from what I understand to most likely be financial reasons. Don't see why they'd go the other way and split the largest exam in all of VCE into two separate days.

[lala1911]

Yeah probably financial reasons, plus I'm assuming examiners expect you to know your texts like your ABC so you can fluently write your essay. Allocating too much time may allow noob students (such as myself) to be able make up some bullshit.

[Lolly]

Plus there's more potential for cheating.

[MJRomeo81]

If I had the option of running it over two days VS one sitting, I would choose one sitting. What if you screw up the first half of the exam? How will you feel walking into part two? I honestly think you're better off completing it in one shot.

The English exam isn't even that bad. Examiners don't expect SAC quality essays. Everything is marked relatively. Best feeling of VCE was clearing that exam. Whether you did good or bad, most students were happy to get it out of the way. I know people who stuffed up both math exams and it was the same dreadful feeling X2 for them.

You would be surprised how much work you can get done in 3 hours in that environment (if you have adequately prepared).

[charmanderp]

Students have succeeded in the English exam for decades before now and they'll continue to do so. It's an important skill to have; once you get to uni and you're sitting 3 hour science/commerce exams or 4 hour law exams you'll realise how valuable the ability to articulate yourself clearly and sustainably over long periods of time is.

[Damoz.G]

I think 3 hours is enough.

I've done 10 Practice Exams for English, and I've finished all of them within 3 Hours. I've planned out how long I spent on each Section, which is why it works for me every time.

[brenden]

Holy shit. 30 essays already?!

[Damoz.G]

Holy shit. 30 essays already?!

Yeah. I just finished doing one a short time ago, so it's actually 33 now. :p HAHA!

[lala1911]

Did a 3hr practice one at school.
Text took me 45 minutes, context took me 50, LA took me 50. Not sure about quality though, I'll wait for my results

[thushan]

Holy shit. 30 essays already?!

Haha. Someone I knew wrote about ~100 essays for English during Year 12.