Latest news with #NESAHSC
Sydney Morning Herald
21 hours ago
- Science
- Sydney Morning Herald
HSC experts reveal how to get the best mark in your exams
All the tips and tricks to help you do your best in this year's exams. See all 9 stories. The top teachers and HSC markers share some expert, tried-and-true tips for exam success. Top dos and don'ts for Mathematics Be 100 per cent familiar with the formulae on the NESA HSC reference sheet. Know when to use each formula and practise questions using them, always showing substitutions. Carefully note what the question is asking. All the information is in the question, and the allocated marks, provide some guidance on the complexity of the solution. Show all your working in clear and logical steps and label all important points on graphs. Don't use the answer provided in a 'show' question and work backwards. Instead begin with the information provided in the question and demonstrate your method to reach the answer provided. Don't rush your work. Take care with simple mathematical operations. Top dos and don'ts for English Actively respond to the question. Use the key terms in the question and deliberately apply the verb to guide your response. Use your unique voice to guide your response and showcase your personal engagement with the text. Use your informed opinions and perspectives and let these shine through in your critical and creative compositions. Integrate analysis of the text in terms of its structural features and language devices in your response and support your assertions with evidence from the text. Don't write a response about your text that appears to be generic or says what you know without addressing the question. Instead answer the question that is asked. Don't provide a generalised retelling of the text. By analysing the text in your response, you will answer the question and not just retell the story. Top dos and don'ts for Chemistry Understand key terms: validity, reliability and accuracy, and how to apply them to your investigations and procedures. Follow scientific conventions when drawing tables, graphs and diagrams. Provide titles, labelled axes with units, clear data points and smooth lines of best fit where appropriate. Practise drawing these ahead of the exam. Don't omit showing all steps in your calculations. In calculations, remember to do a final sense check of your answers (e.g. make sure you have converted to litres for volumes). Don't forget to use scientific theory to explain results from experiments. Top dos and don'ts for Biology Use the specific information or data directly from the stimulus material provided to support your response to the question. This might be the text, diagram, flow chart, table, or graph. Respond to the key term/s included in each question, taking time to understand the requirement and intent of the question. Use specific scientific terminology and biological terms. Clearly link your answer to the scenario in the question rather than only providing general or restated information from the question. Don't respond to questions by merely stating a pre-prepared definition or explanation of a term or process. Instead, you should apply the appropriate definition, term, or process relevant to the specific question to formulate your response. Avoid using informal language or colloquial terms. Top dos and don'ts for Visual Arts Support your responses with evidence: Use relevant artists, artworks, critics and historians to strengthen your interpretations and showcase your understanding of visual arts concepts. Don't prioritise one exam component over the other: Success comes from a consistent focus on both the written exam and the body of work, each contributing equally to your final result. Approach the body of work as a process: Refine your ideas, experiment with materials and make sure your concept is meaningfully developed and clearly communicated. Top dos and don'ts for PDHPE Use specific and relevant examples: Better responses draw clear, contextual examples for each syllabus point addressed and use them to directly support the requirements of the question. Practise applying syllabus content in different ways: Complete a variety of past papers and sample questions to become confident using the same content in multiple contexts. Structure your answers logically: A clear, sequential response is more likely to address all parts of the question. Don't ignore the glossary of key words: Understand what the question is asking you to do – define, analyse, evaluate – and use that to guide how you apply your knowledge. Don't be vague: Incorporate key PDHPE syllabus terminology accurately to show your depth of understanding. Don't include information that doesn't address the question: Avoid recalling everything you know; tailor your response so that every point is purposeful. Top dos and don'ts for Hospitality Use the NESA syllabus: When studying, use the syllabus and HSC content mind maps to guide and focus on the topics that will be examined. Apply your knowledge: Complete practice papers, attempting multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-response questions, and take on teacher feedback to improve your answers. Manage your time effectively in the exam: Use the reading time to scan the whole paper, plan your extended responses and stick to the suggested timing for each section. Don't ignore key words in questions: Words like 'describe' or 'explain' tell you what the question requires and help you to approach exam questions effectively. Don't be under-prepared: Know your content so you don't have to leave any questions blank and clearly structure your responses. Make sure you take the correct equipment like pens and approved calculators. Top dos and don'ts for Aboriginal Studies Know your specific communities: Aboriginal Peoples are diverse and the unique knowledge, culture, Dreaming and community expressions differ for each community. The comparative study requires comparison of the specific Aboriginal communities and international Indigenous communities you have studied. Have a strong understanding of their similarities and differences. Refer to the glossary: Use of appropriate language is important and demonstrates your understanding. Have examples prepared: Add depth to your responses by providing specific examples. This may include the names and outcomes of social justice programs, being able to identify specific legislation, examples of protests, declarations and issues related to human rights in Australia and globally. Develop your understanding of terminology in context: In Aboriginal Studies exams, 'Indigenous' refers to the international context, while 'Aboriginal' refers to the Australian context. Understand your directive terms: Judgment statements are required for questions that start with 'analyse', 'to what extent' and 'evaluate'. Don't overlook the sources provided in the exam: Take the time to deconstruct and understand what the source is conveying, to respond effectively to the question. Top dos and don'ts for Business Studies Unpack the key words in each question: The verbs used, like 'describe' or 'explain', are critical to shaping your response and ensure it aligns with marking criteria. Know syllabus terminology and concepts: Show your understanding of the content and its application by using precise language from the Business Studies syllabus. Don't list unrelated syllabus content in your answers: Be selective and include what addresses the specific requirements of the question. Don't be casual: Use appropriate terminology and make sure you write clearly and structure a cohesive response. Top dos and don'ts for Legal Studies Have a toolbox of contemporary examples on hand and use the ones that are appropriate for the question asked. Include a range of supporting examples, such as legislation, cases, media, international instruments and reports. Take the time to decode the question, look at the directive terms, themes and challenges embedded in the question. Take time to draft a plan for your response in the writing spaces provided. Don't cross out your plan, markers can consider this when appraising your work. Don't just write about the respective legal or non-legal response with a broad statement about how effective it is at the end. Instead, form an informed judgment, supported with evidence – these are generally clearer and stronger. Don't use absolute statements such as 'the law is effective'. Top dos and don'ts for Industrial Technology Actively respond to the question: Identify keywords in the question. Use these to help frame your response and ensure you're addressing exactly what's being asked. Demonstrate a clear understanding: Make every sentence count – being clear and concise is just as important as the content. Use your reading time strategically: Make mental notes of questions you feel confident about and answer these questions first or jot down your ideas when the reading time ends. Don't dwell on questions you find difficult: Move on and return to them later with a fresh perspective so you can manage your time effectively. Don't delay writing if you already have ideas: Answer while you are thinking clearly. You may not have time or recall the same ideas later in the exam. Top dos and don'ts for Geography Understand the new structure and question types in the HSC exam this year. The examination has 15 multiple-choice skills questions, 45 marks' worth of short-answer questions, one structured extended-response question worth 20 marks and one unstructured extended-response question worth 20 marks. In short answers, make sure you address the directive term of the question so you are responding to what is being asked. For example, 'explain' must show cause and effect. Ensure you understand all the different geographical skills question types, from area and grid reference through to vertical exaggeration and gradient. Ensure you have clearly defined paragraphs that each relate to a key point/theme in your essay. Provide detailed evidence, statistics and case studies to support your points. Don't forget to provide locational and spatial data on the location of case studies so markers know the context. Don't spend too much time on essay writing, as the short-answer section is worth the most marks. Allocate your time efficiently. Top dos and don'ts for Music Become familiar with a variety of musical styles and genres and use musical terminology to describe specific features with depth and detail. Use the reading time well – connect the title of pieces, composers and questions/score attachments to styles, genres and instrumentation you are familiar with and imagine what the excerpt might feature. Actively respond to the question and use the most appropriate examples from throughout the aural excerpt and/or score to support your answer. Listen astutely to the given example with the question in mind as you listen. Provide a response that is structured and coherent, using the order of musical events in the aural excerpt as a guide, or the concept of music you are referencing. Don't retell what you hear – instead, use the question to guide your listening and describe the most appropriate features of the music to answer with purpose. Don't write a 'shopping list' of observations if the question is asking you to 'describe/analyse'. Provide detail in analysing the music with examples using descriptions, notation and/or quotes.
The Age
21 hours ago
- Science
- The Age
HSC experts reveal how to get the best mark in your exams
All the tips and tricks to help you do your best in this year's exams. See all 9 stories. The top teachers and HSC markers share some expert, tried-and-true tips for exam success. Top dos and don'ts for Mathematics Be 100 per cent familiar with the formulae on the NESA HSC reference sheet. Know when to use each formula and practise questions using them, always showing substitutions. Carefully note what the question is asking. All the information is in the question, and the allocated marks, provide some guidance on the complexity of the solution. Show all your working in clear and logical steps and label all important points on graphs. Don't use the answer provided in a 'show' question and work backwards. Instead begin with the information provided in the question and demonstrate your method to reach the answer provided. Don't rush your work. Take care with simple mathematical operations. Top dos and don'ts for English Actively respond to the question. Use the key terms in the question and deliberately apply the verb to guide your response. Use your unique voice to guide your response and showcase your personal engagement with the text. Use your informed opinions and perspectives and let these shine through in your critical and creative compositions. Integrate analysis of the text in terms of its structural features and language devices in your response and support your assertions with evidence from the text. Don't write a response about your text that appears to be generic or says what you know without addressing the question. Instead answer the question that is asked. Don't provide a generalised retelling of the text. By analysing the text in your response, you will answer the question and not just retell the story. Top dos and don'ts for Chemistry Understand key terms: validity, reliability and accuracy, and how to apply them to your investigations and procedures. Follow scientific conventions when drawing tables, graphs and diagrams. Provide titles, labelled axes with units, clear data points and smooth lines of best fit where appropriate. Practise drawing these ahead of the exam. Don't omit showing all steps in your calculations. In calculations, remember to do a final sense check of your answers (e.g. make sure you have converted to litres for volumes). Don't forget to use scientific theory to explain results from experiments. Top dos and don'ts for Biology Use the specific information or data directly from the stimulus material provided to support your response to the question. This might be the text, diagram, flow chart, table, or graph. Respond to the key term/s included in each question, taking time to understand the requirement and intent of the question. Use specific scientific terminology and biological terms. Clearly link your answer to the scenario in the question rather than only providing general or restated information from the question. Don't respond to questions by merely stating a pre-prepared definition or explanation of a term or process. Instead, you should apply the appropriate definition, term, or process relevant to the specific question to formulate your response. Avoid using informal language or colloquial terms. Top dos and don'ts for Visual Arts Support your responses with evidence: Use relevant artists, artworks, critics and historians to strengthen your interpretations and showcase your understanding of visual arts concepts. Don't prioritise one exam component over the other: Success comes from a consistent focus on both the written exam and the body of work, each contributing equally to your final result. Approach the body of work as a process: Refine your ideas, experiment with materials and make sure your concept is meaningfully developed and clearly communicated. Top dos and don'ts for PDHPE Use specific and relevant examples: Better responses draw clear, contextual examples for each syllabus point addressed and use them to directly support the requirements of the question. Practise applying syllabus content in different ways: Complete a variety of past papers and sample questions to become confident using the same content in multiple contexts. Structure your answers logically: A clear, sequential response is more likely to address all parts of the question. Don't ignore the glossary of key words: Understand what the question is asking you to do – define, analyse, evaluate – and use that to guide how you apply your knowledge. Don't be vague: Incorporate key PDHPE syllabus terminology accurately to show your depth of understanding. Don't include information that doesn't address the question: Avoid recalling everything you know; tailor your response so that every point is purposeful. Top dos and don'ts for Hospitality Use the NESA syllabus: When studying, use the syllabus and HSC content mind maps to guide and focus on the topics that will be examined. Apply your knowledge: Complete practice papers, attempting multiple-choice, short-answer and extended-response questions, and take on teacher feedback to improve your answers. Manage your time effectively in the exam: Use the reading time to scan the whole paper, plan your extended responses and stick to the suggested timing for each section. Don't ignore key words in questions: Words like 'describe' or 'explain' tell you what the question requires and help you to approach exam questions effectively. Don't be under-prepared: Know your content so you don't have to leave any questions blank and clearly structure your responses. Make sure you take the correct equipment like pens and approved calculators. Top dos and don'ts for Aboriginal Studies Know your specific communities: Aboriginal Peoples are diverse and the unique knowledge, culture, Dreaming and community expressions differ for each community. The comparative study requires comparison of the specific Aboriginal communities and international Indigenous communities you have studied. Have a strong understanding of their similarities and differences. Refer to the glossary: Use of appropriate language is important and demonstrates your understanding. Have examples prepared: Add depth to your responses by providing specific examples. This may include the names and outcomes of social justice programs, being able to identify specific legislation, examples of protests, declarations and issues related to human rights in Australia and globally. Develop your understanding of terminology in context: In Aboriginal Studies exams, 'Indigenous' refers to the international context, while 'Aboriginal' refers to the Australian context. Understand your directive terms: Judgment statements are required for questions that start with 'analyse', 'to what extent' and 'evaluate'. Don't overlook the sources provided in the exam: Take the time to deconstruct and understand what the source is conveying, to respond effectively to the question. Top dos and don'ts for Business Studies Unpack the key words in each question: The verbs used, like 'describe' or 'explain', are critical to shaping your response and ensure it aligns with marking criteria. Know syllabus terminology and concepts: Show your understanding of the content and its application by using precise language from the Business Studies syllabus. Don't list unrelated syllabus content in your answers: Be selective and include what addresses the specific requirements of the question. Don't be casual: Use appropriate terminology and make sure you write clearly and structure a cohesive response. Top dos and don'ts for Legal Studies Have a toolbox of contemporary examples on hand and use the ones that are appropriate for the question asked. Include a range of supporting examples, such as legislation, cases, media, international instruments and reports. Take the time to decode the question, look at the directive terms, themes and challenges embedded in the question. Take time to draft a plan for your response in the writing spaces provided. Don't cross out your plan, markers can consider this when appraising your work. Don't just write about the respective legal or non-legal response with a broad statement about how effective it is at the end. Instead, form an informed judgment, supported with evidence – these are generally clearer and stronger. Don't use absolute statements such as 'the law is effective'. Top dos and don'ts for Industrial Technology Actively respond to the question: Identify keywords in the question. Use these to help frame your response and ensure you're addressing exactly what's being asked. Demonstrate a clear understanding: Make every sentence count – being clear and concise is just as important as the content. Use your reading time strategically: Make mental notes of questions you feel confident about and answer these questions first or jot down your ideas when the reading time ends. Don't dwell on questions you find difficult: Move on and return to them later with a fresh perspective so you can manage your time effectively. Don't delay writing if you already have ideas: Answer while you are thinking clearly. You may not have time or recall the same ideas later in the exam. Top dos and don'ts for Geography Understand the new structure and question types in the HSC exam this year. The examination has 15 multiple-choice skills questions, 45 marks' worth of short-answer questions, one structured extended-response question worth 20 marks and one unstructured extended-response question worth 20 marks. In short answers, make sure you address the directive term of the question so you are responding to what is being asked. For example, 'explain' must show cause and effect. Ensure you understand all the different geographical skills question types, from area and grid reference through to vertical exaggeration and gradient. Ensure you have clearly defined paragraphs that each relate to a key point/theme in your essay. Provide detailed evidence, statistics and case studies to support your points. Don't forget to provide locational and spatial data on the location of case studies so markers know the context. Don't spend too much time on essay writing, as the short-answer section is worth the most marks. Allocate your time efficiently. Top dos and don'ts for Music Become familiar with a variety of musical styles and genres and use musical terminology to describe specific features with depth and detail. Use the reading time well – connect the title of pieces, composers and questions/score attachments to styles, genres and instrumentation you are familiar with and imagine what the excerpt might feature. Actively respond to the question and use the most appropriate examples from throughout the aural excerpt and/or score to support your answer. Listen astutely to the given example with the question in mind as you listen. Provide a response that is structured and coherent, using the order of musical events in the aural excerpt as a guide, or the concept of music you are referencing. Don't retell what you hear – instead, use the question to guide your listening and describe the most appropriate features of the music to answer with purpose. Don't write a 'shopping list' of observations if the question is asking you to 'describe/analyse'. Provide detail in analysing the music with examples using descriptions, notation and/or quotes.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Darcy wants to do HSC Advanced English. His school won't let him
Reported tactics include imposing entrance exams, pre-selecting English streams for students against their wishes, using a ranking system and setting minimum year 10 scores. The NSW Education Standards Authority sets no such markers. English Advanced is 'designed for students to become critical and sophisticated users of English and to develop their academic achievement through the study of complex texts', its website says. A small but successful cohort has the effect of boosting a school's English ranking. An analysis of NESA HSC data shows that some of the state's top 20 comprehensive public schools – all of which fall in the top quartile of socio-educational advantage – have lower-than-average percentages of students taking English Advanced. At Willoughby Girls High, the state's top comprehensive school, 26 per cent of students took Advanced. Former student Crystal Shi, who graduated in 2020, said the school divided students into classes based on their rank. In her year, the school ran three Advanced classes in year 11, but told students 'there would only be two classes in the HSC'. At the end of year 11, the results of who made it into Advanced would be displayed on a piece of paper outside the English staff room. 'The class that was dropped in year 12 was based on your ranking, and they gave it some stupid name,' she said. 'So everyone knew you were too stupid to do Advanced, but not bad enough to have been in Standard to begin with. 'They didn't want people who weren't going to be amazing to drag down the weighting. If your ranking wasn't good enough, too bad. 'There was so much pressure on me to perform well, but the system was never set up fairly.' HSC tutor Katie Ord said some schools required students to do an exam to have 'the opportunity' to do Advanced. 'If the teachers don't think the student will get a band 6, they will discourage them from pursuing Advanced,' she said. 'They are not encouraging growth, investigation and a further passion for English.' The NSW Department of Education said schools with lower participation rates in English Advanced tended to have higher than average proportions of students from a language background other than English (LOTE). 'Students may seek clarification about a decision on HSC selection by speaking with the head teacher, year adviser or deputy principal,' a department spokesperson said. Year 12 student Masi Haddad Hachour is at Greystanes High School, which encourages students to do English Advanced. He was shocked to learn many of his friends at study centres, who attend other schools, don't have the same opportunity. 'It makes me feel frustrated, and it impacts everybody because the HSC is a game, and everyone is ranked against each other,' Masi said. 'It's because schools, especially public schools, are so desperate and thirsty for validation from the department through high HSC results. So they do anything they can to get it – that includes forcing some students to drop out so that they don't skew HSC data, forcing some students to do lower scaling subjects like Standard English.' Many independent and Catholic schools encourage students to enrol in Advanced. The principal of Meriden, an Anglican girls school in Strathfield where 93 per cent of students take English Advanced, says their students 'are reminded not to underestimate their ability, to back themselves and use the resources around them to do their best'. A current year 11 student at partially selective Chatswood High School, who spoke to the Herald on the condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals, said the school chose their English course for them. 'There was no opportunity to confirm, challenge, or properly discuss which English course I wanted to do.' Loading An internal Chatswood High policy document, seen by the Herald, advises students 'should have a minimum of 80 per cent and be ranked in the top 75 of the Stage 5 Year 10 English course and will need to have previously demonstrated the ability' to do Advanced. The student was placed in Standard. 'The whole experience really impacted my confidence. I started to question whether I was capable of doing well in English, even though I was genuinely interested and willing to challenge myself in my senior years,' they said. The Ponds High School enforces an arbitrary prerequisite. A subject selection handbook seen by the Herald states, 'the top 90 students (approximately) of the cohort may be offered a place into the English Advanced course provided they have a weighted average of 75 per cent' based on their year 10 assessments. Across the state, 36.3 per cent of HSC students take English Advanced while 47.6 per cent take English Standard, based on 2024 data. The remainder take English Studies or English as a second language or dialect (EALD). Every student must choose one of these four. Loading A Catholic Schools NSW report, released earlier this year, found the current HSC award system – which recognises only students who achieve a band 6 or mark above 90 – is distorting subject selection and discouraging students from taking more rigorous courses. Some schools measure their success by the number of band 6s they achieve. The report found it creates an 'incentive for teachers or parents to nudge students towards easier subjects where there is a greater chance of earning an award'. A former student from another northern Sydney school – who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals – said her teacher was 'consistently' advising her she could drop or change classes, at one point 'sneaking' withdrawal forms into her exams. '[She said] I would not be on par with the standards of English Advanced even when I was one of the top students of my English Advanced class in year 10,' she said. Despite her teacher's advice, she stuck with Advanced. It paid off – her HSC marks were 'really, really good'. She scored a band 5 in English and is now studying engineering. 'I didn't realise that maybe there was something wrong with my teacher and not me.'
