How

to ace VCE exams Edward Cliff, Connect Education 2012 Be prepared Get your notes ready early + make them awesome comprehensive but concise Start practice exams early and aim for 20 (golden number!) o http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/exams/examsassessreports.html o Dont forget to do the VCAA sample exam as well Checkpoints get on it the best practice questions divided into AOS. o http://www.cambridge.edu.au/education/companion/vcecheckpoints/ Make at least one appointment with your teacher outside of class to go over questions you find challenging Study and revise the areas you struggle with o Asterisk/highlight/tab/circle important/difficult/interesting questions to revisit later o Dont waste most of your time practising the things you can already do well, pick on the areas you want to improve in o Find creative and effective methods to study these areas (e.g. group study, posters, podcasts etc. see my notes on How to ace the VCE) (For anything essay-based, submit as many essays as feasibly possible to your teacher for marking!) How to get the most out of practice exams 1. Print the exams off there is no point in doing them off a computer screen, as you are trying to simulate the real deal 2. Find somewhere quiet with plenty of desk-space and no distractions 3. Time yourself and always practice reading-time if possible a. Use the watch you plan to take into the exam b. Even if you have to give yourself extra time, you need to know how much extra time was required c. If you find yourself finishing early, figure out how to go slower to reduce silly errors d. Plan your strategy for reading time my personal recommendation is to read the SAQs first and then get started on doable MCQs, but you need to figure out what works for you. Make sure you use this time well! 4. Use all materials you would have available to you on the day data books, notes, calculators (the correct one!), rulers, dictionaries + anything else you are allowed a. This is so you get familiar with these items which youll be using on the day and can find the information + perform the tasks you need to 5. Write with the correct utensil (pen for most subjects except for diagrams + maths) 6. Mark in a different colour (usually red) + pay attention to the marking scheme a. If you can get someone else to mark it, even better they can be more objective than you can be about your own work b. You need to give yourself the most accurate impression of where you sit c. Look at exactly what the answer was looking for; pay attention to detail 7. Read VCAA assessment reports these are written by the same people who will mark your exam, and they tell you exactly what the examiners are looking for

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How to ace VCE exams Edward Cliff, Connect Education 2012 What to do the night before and on the day 1. Make sure you have everything prepared the night before clear pencil case, stationery (always include a pencil for MCQ answer sheets), notes, calculators (the correct one!), rulers, dictionaries + anything else you are allowed in the exam a. Know your VCAA student number so you can work out where to sit b. Double check the time and exact location of your exam c. Be prepared for the location make sure you have a jumper packed if it is a particularly cold room 2. Get to bed early a. It is always better to get enough sleep than try to do extra study when it comes to VCE exams this will help you concentrate + remember info b. Make sure you set your alarm(s!) early enough that you dont need to stress on the morning of the exam 3. Decide on your exam strategy beforehand a. Everyone has a different approach to exams some people prefer the quiet to get their thoughts in order, others would rather talk about everything other than the exam before it starts b. Make sure you know what works for you and follow it like clockwork 4. Have a healthy, nutritious breakfast a. Something which will get you going + keep you going through the exam (maybe a low-GI cereal?) b. Take a muesli bar or snack with you to school in case you get hungry before the exam 5. Keep well hydrated a. Make sure you drink plenty but be careful you dont drink too much and end up wasting precious exam time b. Have a water bottle with you and remove the label! you dont have to drink it, but if you dont have it there, you have no choice 6. Do something to make sure youre wide awake in the morning a. Maybe go for a brisk walk outside 7. Make sure you complete all questions and stay for the full length of the exam once you leave, you cant go back in! 8. Enjoy the exam! a. Even if it is a subject you dont like, be pleased with questions you know the answer to it will give you a confidence boost.

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