Want the inside word on what you'll need to pass your exams? What are the best strategies? What can you expect on the day? And how will the examiners judge your efforts?
ENGLISH STUDIES
AS THE English Studies exam may be your first experience of external assessment under such conditions, it is important to remember that exams are designed to provide an opportunity to showcase the knowledge gained and the skills developed during your studies.
The English Studies exam is worth 30 per cent of the final grade and is of three hours duration. The paper consists of three sections of equal value: Section A is compulsory, Section B is a choice section and Section C, the critical reading question, is also compulsory. Divide your time equally across all sections of the paper.
Choose your questions carefully.
The exam is designed to offer you a wide range of questions from which to choose so plan to answer those questions that best suit the texts you have studied.
Read carefully through all questions in the paper, considering all options before making a final choice. Planning responses, and allocating equal time for each section of the paper, are all ingredients for success.
Practise quickly and accurately identifying key words in the questions you choose.
This will help you to shape your response. You should address the "active" words or phrases in the question such as "ways", "how", "what techniques", "compare", "influence", "position". It is important to engage directly and actively with all aspects of the question throughout the response, remaining focused on the question throughout the essay.
You need to show appropriate textual knowledge and understanding of literary techniques. Consider the question and the points being made, to help you choose the most suitable techniques and quotations to support your argument. Although exam responses are completed under pressure, you should endeavour to maintain a high degree of polish in relation to correctly delineated titles; correct spelling; use of appropriate terms; controlled use of paragraphing; focused and succinct introductions and conclusions.
Finally, approach the exam with confidence and enthusiasm knowing that your year-long endeavours will stand you in good stead when you turn the first page and begin to write.
DRAMA STUDIES
CONGRATULATIONS. You are at the final stage of what I hope has been a most rewarding time in your study of Drama. In the written exam, you are expected to be able to show your understanding and interpretation of work chosen from the history of dramatic performance using a "page to stage" approach to your study.
There are two sections in the exam.
First, there is a Production Study.
Your teacher will have chosen a script from the list for which you will create a production "concept".
In the exam, you will be asked to answer one question from the two offered.
The questions will ask you to take the role of the director, a designer or an actor in your hypothetical production so make sure you're clear what each one does.
Once you've decided on your role, discuss how you would go about creating a production based on what's in the script, your study of its style and its purpose and your production concept.
In your answer, you should present a justification for your approach first.
Then you will need to show your knowledge of the play by discussing several well-chosen examples and how they will be presented in your production.
As markers, we need to be able to picture your production, so be descriptive.
You may sketch the set or the costumes if you think that this will help clarify your ideas.
It is important that you read the question closely and address both the "quotation" and "the question" that follows.
The other section, Contemporary Innovators, requires a different approach.
You are asked to discuss two texts from the work of one of the innovators or innovative styles on the list in the curriculum statements.
Again you will be asked to answer one question from a choice of two.
The question will be about the style, ideas, purpose and performance or presentation techniques of your chosen innovator.
Several of them are filmmakers.
So you must be able to discuss how and why film-making techniques are used and their connection to the ideas being presented.
Your exam preparation for this section should involve watching the films or reading the scripts and then considering examples that best show the ideas, style and presentation techniques of the innovator.
Again you must address all parts of the question.
Each answer is worth the same, so divide your time appropriately.
Good answers follow all the rules of any good writing especially the spelling of "drama" words.
Most of you have spent countless hours rehearsing plays, inventing ways to present a scene and watching others perform.
The markers will reward you for showing your understanding of this exciting and unique process.
MATHEMATICAL STUDIES
KNOW what to expect: While the content of this year's exam cannot be predicted, a sense of its style, overall balance and level of difficulty can be gained from past exams.
Here you can also find examiner's reports containing comments about common errors and methods of solution for previous exams.
Know key words:
"Hence" - this means you must use the result from the previous part of the question.
"Show" - you must write down each mathematical step that leads to a result that has been given in the question.
"Exact" - if a question asks for an exact value for a solution, then providing a decimal approximation (like that which comes from electronic technology) will earn you few or no marks.
Often you will need to use a traditional/non-electronic technology method for such questions.
In other cases, including questions that ask for answers to a specific degree of accuracy (eg "2 decimal places"), electronic technology may be an efficient way of obtaining answers.
Show evidence of your thinking: On the front cover of the exam, you are told to "show all working in this booklet".
This is good advice. If you show your thinking, you will ensure you gain as many marks as possible for a question.
If you provide a final answer only, and it is wrong, then you will receive no marks. If you show your working, then the marker can award part marks (for instance, 2 marks out of a total of 3).
The front of the exam also advises that "work that you consider incorrect should be crossed out with a single line".
Work you have erased can receive no marks, but work you think is incorrect and have crossed out with a single line may earn you marks if it contains some correct logic.
Keep to the point: Most questions that ask for explanation or reasoning require you to focus on one or two specific points. You should aim to do this in one or two short sentences.
Don't disregard any question. Every question in the exam, even the last one, will contain substantial routine work. If you are prepared, you can earn marks in every question.
Work with confidence: A substantial proportion of the questions in the exam can be answered by applying knowledge that should be routine to you.
The questions that seem non-routine can usually be answered using less familiar sequences of the same knowledge.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
THE exam for Physical Education is two hours long and is worth 120 marks.
It covers the concepts of exercise physiology and the acquisition of skills. As there is more exercise physiology than skills acquisition content in this subject, the exam will contain more questions relating to the physiology section than to the skills section. Use the reading time to get an idea of the concepts being examined and to plan your answers.
For success in the exam, you need to understand the concepts involved, correctly interpret the requirements of the questions and plan your answers and understand how the marks are allocated.
You can relate many of the concepts in the exam directly to your class practical activities. Remember to use these experiences and don't panic if a question seems difficult at first.
When you are revising, check you understand the terms used in your textbooks or class notes to explain the concepts.
The nine multiple-choice questions are each worth two marks.
Attempt each question, as no marks are deducted for wrong answers. Choose the statement that most directly answers the question.
The short-answer questions usually start with a verb, such as explain (how, why), identify, state, discuss, compare. Make sure to do what the question asks you to do but don't rewrite the question as this uses up time.
Read the short statements that introduce the questions carefully as they give clues and information you can use in your answers. Most questions will require you to refer to a sporting example. This is where you can use the practical activity you have undertaken with the class. Relating the questions to sporting situations and class practical activities will often trigger the correct response.
Some questions include graphs and tables. To answer these questions properly, you will need to be able to extract data and identify trends, as well as to read the headings and axis labels correctly.
The extended-response question is usually worth between eight and 10 marks. You can answer in sentences or dot points but make sure to express yourself clearly, using the specific language of the subject.
It is important to answer all parts of the question.
You often need to refer to sports you are familiar with in this part of the exam.
In questions that ask you to "identify" or "state", you could expect to earn one mark for each item correctly identified or stated. Each well-made point is usually worth two marks. Four marks suggest that two clear explanations are required.
The allocation of marks applies to both the short answer and extended responses. Plan your responses, try to answer all the questions, and don't forget to use all that practical experience you have gained during the year.
BIOLOGY
THE Biology exam is in three sections including: 25 multiple choice questions (worth 50 marks), short answer questions (worth 120 marks) and two extended-response questions (worth 15 marks each).
The exam is marked out of 200 in total and is worth 50 per cent of the final subject mark. School marks count for the other 50 per cent.
Before the exam, carefully read the instructions on the front cover several times. These instructions have already been sent to schools.
Familiarise yourself with the number of questions in each section, the suggested allocation of time for each section, the allocation of marks, and where the questions are to be answered.
As a general rule, in Sections B and C, two marks are awarded for one point that is well made.
It's important to remember you can be examined on the full scope of the curriculum statement so it is not "safe" to omit anything. The exam is designed so that all parts of the course are assessed.
Practising by doing questions from previous exams is wise, but attempting to "second-guess" this year's questions is not.
On the SACE Board website, you can access previous years' assessment reports. These can also be a source of useful tips. Some questions will contain material that is unfamiliar but these questions are designed to find out what you do know, or what you can do.
Always ask yourself: "What aspect of what I have learnt is this question testing?"
Do not fall into the trap of thinking: "We haven't done this." You probably have done what the question is testing; you just haven't recognised it straight away.
There is no choice of questions in the biology examination - all questions must be answered in order to achieve a top score.
In Section A (multiple-choice), you are asked to select the "best" alternative for each question. You cannot do this effectively unless you read all the alternatives first.
Be wary of selecting the first answer that "looks right" - it may not be the best one.
There is no penalty for choosing the wrong answer, so it makes no sense to leave any answers blank.
If you are unsure, try to eliminate as many "wrong" alternatives as you can, to increase your chances of being correct.
If you are not completely happy with your choice, mark the question (in the question booklet, not on the answer sheet) with an asterisk and come back to it later if you have time.
Prepare well, keep calm, stay focused, and you will perform at your best.