bored of sc
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2007
- Messages
- 2,314
- Gender
- Male
- HSC
- 2009
Here are some good test habits that may help you move up to a higher band (hopefully band 6's).
ENGLISH
> its a skills test so its not what you say, but how you say it (in the extendeds)
> you need to be aware of purpose, context and audience with formulating answers
> control of language is a must: keep it simple, but add sophisticated language
> read each question thoroughly and deconstruct the extended response ones (write on the exam paper what you think each word in the question means
> time management: if your stuck on a question, move on, but come back to it and guess with your GUT INSTINCT
> pay attention to mark value and verbs in the question (explain, outline, why, how, what, analyse, evaluate, techniques etc)
> plan the longer responses (10/20 markers): this will help sustain and develop ideas rather than waffling on to fill up lines
> in Multiple Choice: don't think too hard, do the most obvious answer
> in short answer with a) b) and c) parts connect your answers together
> read all questions before you start writing so you don't waste time repeating yourself
> HOW = TECHNIQUES
> in sustained, lengthier answers, link the beginning to the end
> in multiple choice, assume the composer's perspective where it doesn't otherwise indicate
> don't panic: calm down, answer everything and really have a go no matter what they throw at you
MATHEMATICS
> take your time
> read the question carefully, they can be very wordy
> get a realistic answer
> check through the entire paper if possible
> do all the working on the exam paper, don't take any shortcuts unless you are comfortable at doing so
> slow and steady wins the race
> check non-calculator carefully
> don't answer questions on face value, read it all
> use all the rules and formulae wherever you can, no shorter, untrustworthy ways
> use your calculator if in doubt, more relaible that way
> do it the long (or better) way
> check, check, check
> the basic topics are number, algebra, data, measurement, space and geometry - revise easier topics this year and yrs 7,8 and 9 work too
> don't look at multiple choice possible answers whenever possible, then match up your answer
> in non-calculator, remember to simplify
> in short response, remember a) b) c) link with one another
SCIENCE
> content based on yr 9 and 10 topics but skills and process questions are a large part of the test
> a background knowledge helps
> DO NOT restate the question in the answer
> make individual points for each mark (1 mark = one valid point)
> TOPICS
- periodic table
- electricity
- genetics
- chemical reactions
- origins of the universe
- light
- fragile crust
- reproduction
- energy in ecosystems
- sense and control
- motion
- health and disease
- evolution
- global issues
> SKILLS AND ASSUMED KNOWLEDGE
- designing an experiment
- variables
- reliability, accuracy, validity
- data analysis and interpretation for e.g.
- interpolating (predicting inside a range of data)
- extrapolating (predicting outside the range of data)
- Why science is valuable to society (more scietific research leads to an increase in technology which leads to a better standard of living through medicine, understanding of past, complex process and ultimately, satisfies the human need of curiousity)
> don't repeat youself in science, clarity of expression is through succinct, individual dot points, logic is better than eloquence...
GEOGRAPHY/HISTORY
> content based particularly for short answers and extended responses
> skills come into multiple choice usually
> give the marker hard facts through examples and dates
> watch out for verbs in questions (explain, analyse means a depth of knowledge is needed, but outline and identify is much less in complexity, just state, list and name the facts
> explain means cause and effect (for changing technology, cause is the changing technology and effect is the impact on everyday life)
> HISTORY CONTENT
- impact of changing technology on everyday life in post-war Australia
- the social and cultural features of (ONE DECADE)
- Australia's response to communism in Asia
- Australia's repsonse to communism in Australia
- Australia's invovlement in the Vietnam war (reasons)
- differing views of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam war
- impact of the war on one chosen group
- changing government policies towards the Indigenous peoples over time
- the varying experiences of the stolen generations
- the role of the 1967 referendum and lands rights/native title in the struggle for Aboriginal peoples rights and freedoms
- choice of women or migrants and how their experiences, achievements and struggles have changed through time
- Australia's role in the United Nations, UNESCO, UN conventions, Colombo Plan, ANZUS, SEATO and the key features/developments in these
- someone who has shown people power (one individual and event)
- one prime minister of the post-war period; one major policy, an issue and their contribution to Australia's development
> GEOGRAPHY CONTENT
- geographical issues including air quality, coastal management, land and water management, spatial inequality, urban growth and decline and waste managment: describing the nature, impact and responses to the issues
- the depth study of TWO geographical issues (one will do i'd nearly think) including geographical processes, perceptions of different groups, individual, group and Government responses, decision making processes, and management of the issue with implications for sustainability, social justice and equity
- a RAP to be developed and implemented for ONE geographical issue (know this issue the best)
- the place of Australia in the world
- Australia's regoinal and global links (aid, communication, culture, defence, migration, tourism, trade and sport) descibing the nature of each
- ONE regional and global link (from AID, DEFENCE, MIGRATION OR TRADE) outlining the nature, roles of Government and NGO's to the link, treaties and agreements, the cultural, economic and geopolitical advantages and disadvantages of the link, and social justice and equity issues for Australia and other countries
- future challenges for population (current and future trends for e.g spaital distribution, age structure, growth rates, Government policies to manage population AND implications of population trends for e.g ecological sustainability, population movement, urban planning)
- future challenges for human rights and reconcilation (human rights agreements, responses of individuals, groups and Governments, responses of other nations, the implications of strategies and strategies that promote a better future)
> know the content and know how to apply it to a question (explain, analyse)
> fill up all the lines and plan all the written responses carefully, trying to cover all the content appropriate to the topic
> try to finish multiple choice as quickly, efficiently as manageable
> spend time according to mark value (aim for 20 mins for 15 marks which is a bit over a minute a mark)
> take your time, but be reasonable
COMPUTING SKILLS
> is a joke really
> but work slowly, you will finish no worries
> use logic (a very logical exam)
> its all multiple choice or objective response
> have fun, its a bludge (very easy if you're even half decent at computers)
So, I hope that helps you ALL in your struggle for good marks.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!
ENGLISH
> its a skills test so its not what you say, but how you say it (in the extendeds)
> you need to be aware of purpose, context and audience with formulating answers
> control of language is a must: keep it simple, but add sophisticated language
> read each question thoroughly and deconstruct the extended response ones (write on the exam paper what you think each word in the question means
> time management: if your stuck on a question, move on, but come back to it and guess with your GUT INSTINCT
> pay attention to mark value and verbs in the question (explain, outline, why, how, what, analyse, evaluate, techniques etc)
> plan the longer responses (10/20 markers): this will help sustain and develop ideas rather than waffling on to fill up lines
> in Multiple Choice: don't think too hard, do the most obvious answer
> in short answer with a) b) and c) parts connect your answers together
> read all questions before you start writing so you don't waste time repeating yourself
> HOW = TECHNIQUES
> in sustained, lengthier answers, link the beginning to the end
> in multiple choice, assume the composer's perspective where it doesn't otherwise indicate
> don't panic: calm down, answer everything and really have a go no matter what they throw at you
MATHEMATICS
> take your time
> read the question carefully, they can be very wordy
> get a realistic answer
> check through the entire paper if possible
> do all the working on the exam paper, don't take any shortcuts unless you are comfortable at doing so
> slow and steady wins the race
> check non-calculator carefully
> don't answer questions on face value, read it all
> use all the rules and formulae wherever you can, no shorter, untrustworthy ways
> use your calculator if in doubt, more relaible that way
> do it the long (or better) way
> check, check, check
> the basic topics are number, algebra, data, measurement, space and geometry - revise easier topics this year and yrs 7,8 and 9 work too
> don't look at multiple choice possible answers whenever possible, then match up your answer
> in non-calculator, remember to simplify
> in short response, remember a) b) c) link with one another
SCIENCE
> content based on yr 9 and 10 topics but skills and process questions are a large part of the test
> a background knowledge helps
> DO NOT restate the question in the answer
> make individual points for each mark (1 mark = one valid point)
> TOPICS
- periodic table
- electricity
- genetics
- chemical reactions
- origins of the universe
- light
- fragile crust
- reproduction
- energy in ecosystems
- sense and control
- motion
- health and disease
- evolution
- global issues
> SKILLS AND ASSUMED KNOWLEDGE
- designing an experiment
- variables
- reliability, accuracy, validity
- data analysis and interpretation for e.g.
- interpolating (predicting inside a range of data)
- extrapolating (predicting outside the range of data)
- Why science is valuable to society (more scietific research leads to an increase in technology which leads to a better standard of living through medicine, understanding of past, complex process and ultimately, satisfies the human need of curiousity)
> don't repeat youself in science, clarity of expression is through succinct, individual dot points, logic is better than eloquence...
GEOGRAPHY/HISTORY
> content based particularly for short answers and extended responses
> skills come into multiple choice usually
> give the marker hard facts through examples and dates
> watch out for verbs in questions (explain, analyse means a depth of knowledge is needed, but outline and identify is much less in complexity, just state, list and name the facts
> explain means cause and effect (for changing technology, cause is the changing technology and effect is the impact on everyday life)
> HISTORY CONTENT
- impact of changing technology on everyday life in post-war Australia
- the social and cultural features of (ONE DECADE)
- Australia's response to communism in Asia
- Australia's repsonse to communism in Australia
- Australia's invovlement in the Vietnam war (reasons)
- differing views of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam war
- impact of the war on one chosen group
- changing government policies towards the Indigenous peoples over time
- the varying experiences of the stolen generations
- the role of the 1967 referendum and lands rights/native title in the struggle for Aboriginal peoples rights and freedoms
- choice of women or migrants and how their experiences, achievements and struggles have changed through time
- Australia's role in the United Nations, UNESCO, UN conventions, Colombo Plan, ANZUS, SEATO and the key features/developments in these
- someone who has shown people power (one individual and event)
- one prime minister of the post-war period; one major policy, an issue and their contribution to Australia's development
> GEOGRAPHY CONTENT
- geographical issues including air quality, coastal management, land and water management, spatial inequality, urban growth and decline and waste managment: describing the nature, impact and responses to the issues
- the depth study of TWO geographical issues (one will do i'd nearly think) including geographical processes, perceptions of different groups, individual, group and Government responses, decision making processes, and management of the issue with implications for sustainability, social justice and equity
- a RAP to be developed and implemented for ONE geographical issue (know this issue the best)
- the place of Australia in the world
- Australia's regoinal and global links (aid, communication, culture, defence, migration, tourism, trade and sport) descibing the nature of each
- ONE regional and global link (from AID, DEFENCE, MIGRATION OR TRADE) outlining the nature, roles of Government and NGO's to the link, treaties and agreements, the cultural, economic and geopolitical advantages and disadvantages of the link, and social justice and equity issues for Australia and other countries
- future challenges for population (current and future trends for e.g spaital distribution, age structure, growth rates, Government policies to manage population AND implications of population trends for e.g ecological sustainability, population movement, urban planning)
- future challenges for human rights and reconcilation (human rights agreements, responses of individuals, groups and Governments, responses of other nations, the implications of strategies and strategies that promote a better future)
> know the content and know how to apply it to a question (explain, analyse)
> fill up all the lines and plan all the written responses carefully, trying to cover all the content appropriate to the topic
> try to finish multiple choice as quickly, efficiently as manageable
> spend time according to mark value (aim for 20 mins for 15 marks which is a bit over a minute a mark)
> take your time, but be reasonable
COMPUTING SKILLS
> is a joke really
> but work slowly, you will finish no worries
> use logic (a very logical exam)
> its all multiple choice or objective response
> have fun, its a bludge (very easy if you're even half decent at computers)
So, I hope that helps you ALL in your struggle for good marks.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!
