VCE exams are nearly upon us and it’s never too early to prepare. At Strive for Excellence Tutoring we’ve helped numerous students achieve outstanding exam results. Here are some of our tried and true exam strategies:
Before the exam:
• Ensure you’re familiar with the tools you’ll use in the exam. Use the calculator or study with the dictionary or data book you’ll be using; many students waste valuable exam time searching for information in unfamiliar data books or learning how to use their new calculator.
• Grill your teachers! Find out everything about the exams: what types of questions will be asked? (multiple choice, short answers, essay); what can I bring into the exam?
• Create a study schedule and refer to, and update it, regularly.
• Different subjects require distinctive study techniques. English, Economics and History involve a lot of reading and summarising. Concentrate on book-reading skills. Mathematics is often ordered in a hierarchical fashion so that each topic builds on previous knowledge. Understand every step in a topic before moving on to the next. Foreign languages depend on knowing grammatical rules, vocabulary, and phrases. The best way to learn these is through repetition and practice. With practical subjects ensure you carefully write up each practical exercise you do. At every opportunity practice the techniques and skills needed for your practical work.
• Utilise active learning strategies. For example, use the SQR3 reading method (survey, question, read, recite, and review) to help you concentrate on reading material. Talk through maths problems with others. Transform information into tables, mind maps, flash cards, etc. Actively doing something with the material you’re learning will aid in retaining information and cement your understanding of concepts.
• Complete practice exams and work on your weaknesses.
• Help keep stress at bay by getting enough nutrition, sleep and exercise. Schedule some time to do the things you enjoy.
On the day:
• Briefly review your notes and get a good nights’ sleep. There is little point in cramming the night before.
• When you receive your exam paper use the reading time to completely understand what’s expected of you. Pay attention to details such as: are all questions compulsory? What types of questions are being asked? How are your answers to be shown?
• Plan your time carefully. Leave time at the end to review your answers.
• Answer the section with the most marks first, usually the extended response or short answer part. Leave the multiple choice answers last – they’re usually worth less. But never leave a multiple choice question blank.
• Essays that have a well-organised flow of ideas and are written concisely and completely usually impress examiners. Spend time planning your written response.
• If you’re running out of time, outline your answers. This may give you more marks than leaving a space blank.
• At the end read over all your answers. Correct spelling mistakes and illegible writing.
Many more VCE exam strategies can be found in our ‘VCE/ HSC Study Skills Guide Book’, available for purchase through our website.
