Ancient History: Discussion, Questions & Potential Solutions

[Joseph41]

This thread is for all exam related discussion. Was it easy? Was it hard? What did you get for 'that' tough question?? Feel free to pop any and all of your thoughts below.

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[Caitlynk_22]

I think that was possibly one of the most fair exams I have encountered for ancient history. Comparing it to my trial, the HSC paper was way easier. I don't know if it was just because we all studied heaps but it was actually pretty good.

Section 1 - Pompeii + Herculaneum - Pretty easy, can't complain

Section 2 - Athens in the time of Pericles - I didn't like the Social Structure 15 marker question but it was pretty similar to one I have seen before.

Section 3 - Julius Caesar - I think this was one of my best sections, soo all was good, I guess?

Section 4 - The Fall of Rome - It was ok. I wouldn't rave about it but it was a fair question. I chose the one relating to Caesar's Dictatorship and I could relatively answer the question.

All in all. It was pretty good. I liked this HSC compared to others I practiced with

[joannelovescake]

section I Pompeii - can't complain! fair and easy to do, however the plaster cast source for the 10 marker confused me a little. Talked about the challenge of ethical issues in studying human remains

Society - Ramesside period. really happy with the 15 marker on economy, source could be used for the food/clothing question, so that was a bonus

Personality - Akhenaten, again happy with questions but i don't think I aced the 15 marker.

Period - Julio Claudians. Struggled a little bit with the army question since I didn't manage my time properly, and couldn't remember explicit detail, but I finished it and wrapped it up. Definitely not as satisfied as my prepared responses but let's hope use of quotes get me at least a 20-22.

[Seanclair]

section I Pompeii - can't complain! fair and easy to do, however the plaster cast source for the 10 marker confused me a little. Talked about the challenge of ethical issues in studying human remains

Society - Ramesside period. really happy with the 15 marker on economy, source could be used for the food/clothing question, so that was a bonus

Personality - Akhenaten, again happy with questions but i don't think I aced the 15 marker.

Period - Julio Claudians. Struggled a little bit with the army question since I didn't manage my time properly, and couldn't remember explicit detail, but I finished it and wrapped it up. Definitely not as satisfied as my prepared responses but let's hope use of quotes get me at least a 20-22.

I did Julio Claudians too! I was so happy with those questions, I was scared they'd give us a super narrow question like in previous years!

[dcesaona]

Pompeii and Herculaneum was the hardest for me, surprisingly. I overthought the multiple choice and after the exam I found out that I already got 1 of them wrong  The religious inscriptions thing threw me off a little but I just talked about the inscriptions from temples that claims they were rebuilt after the 62 AD earthquake (not sure if it's enough for 4 marks though). Food and dining was all g. For the 21st century challenges facing both towns I talked about the study and display of human remains, as well as the issues of conserving them, and the efforts made by HCP to stop them. That was a pretty broad question but think I went okay.

All of my other topics were great!  Really happy with the questions! I hope that for any marks lost in P/H I'll be able to pick back up in my other topics. Some essays were a bit all over the shop because I was putting down everything I knew and trying to string in an argument, but it was still there and I'm really confident with my historical detail.

Overall, pleased with the exam. I was expecting some major curveballs.

[sudodds]

Hey! Planned to post this earlier, but oh well!

I'm sure you all absolutely smashed the exam. It was a tricky one, especially for students studying Sparta and Agrippina. The Pompeii and Herculaneum section also included some very weird questions (namely the Pliny question, the public rooms question and the marine mosaic question), that I (and many teachers as well!) are not too happy with. I'm very interested to see how they deal with them in the marking centre.

Reading the responses above, it sounds like you all tackled the paper well, and in a sophisticated way! You should all be super proud of yourselves - I know I am of all of you! Though Ancient is often touted as an "easy" subject, that's just not the case, and the amount of effort I've seen everyone on this forum put in throughout the year will be reflected in your final marks <3

Well done everyone!

Susie

[dcesaona]

Hey! Planned to post this earlier, but oh well!

I'm sure you all absolutely smashed the exam. It was a tricky one, especially for students studying Sparta and Agrippina. The Pompeii and Herculaneum section also included some very weird questions (namely the Pliny question, the public rooms question and the marine mosaic question), that I (and many teachers as well!) are not too happy with. I'm very interested to see how they deal with them in the marking centre.

Reading the responses above, it sounds like you all tackled the paper well, and in a sophisticated way! You should all be super proud of yourselves - I know I am of all of you! Though Ancient is often touted as an "easy" subject, that's just not the case, and the amount of effort I've seen everyone on this forum put in throughout the year will be reflected in your final marks <3

Well done everyone!

Susie

Love this! I agree with you on that, alllll of the effort will pay off! Thank you for the reassuring words