2xL is right. I don't think the argument that whoever memorises will fail uni is necessarily correct. Unfortunately the only way to guarantee an A range mark is to either be some kind of genius who knows every part of the text and can write in a sophisticated way on the fly, or just adapt a king essay. The latter is a lot easier. The people who do memorise are not necessarily unable to write on the spot; it's just not a guarantee to do well, which is what they want. You can't say it doesn't do well, 95% of the people in my school memorise and we came 3rd in English, most top students memorise. It's not right, but its the way to go in the HSC imo.