How to Use Practice Exam Papers Effectively – HSC Science

Preparing for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams can be an overwhelming experience for many students. One of the most effective ways to prepare for these exams is by using practice exam papers. Practice papers provide students with the opportunity to test their knowledge and understanding of the course material before the actual exams. In this blog post, we'll discuss some tips on how to use practice exam papers properly for the HSC.

1. Start early

It is crucial to start practicing with exam papers early on in your HSC preparation. This will provide ample time to work through multiple papers, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies for managing time during the actual exam under time pressure.

Avoid the mistake of waiting for assessment notifications before commencing your studies. Typically, school assessment notifications are given to students only 2 weeks before the actual assessment or submission date, which may not be enough time, especially if there are other assessments to prepare for simultaneously

2. Review and refine study notes

Throughout the term you will have written or typed notes while studying chemistry and physics. To review your notes means to read through them with the purpose of checking your understanding and ability to recall content in the HSC syllabus. To refine your notes means to re-phrase or add additional information to your pre-existing notes with the purpose of making them more comprehensive or concise. 

A common question which is asked by students is "should I rewrite my notes". Rewriting your notes solely as a way to memorise information is unhelpful. Instead focus on deepening your understanding and application skills of HSC chemistry and physics concepts through practice and revision. 

3. Use past exam papers

The best way to prepare for the HSC is by using past papers. These papers are similar to the actual exams and will give you a good idea of what to expect. You can download past papers from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) website. Make sure you practice with papers that are relevant to your course and year level.

Practising past exam papers has numerous benefits:

• Practising past exam papers allows you to apply your knowledge in both familiar and unfamiliar scenarios
• Practising past exam papers will help you deepen your understanding and improve your memory, especially when you get questions wrong
• Practising past exam papers will give you a sense of the time pressure and an idea of how much time you can afford to spend on each question
• Practising past exam papers will boost your confidence

You should start with past exam papers from your school as the style of question is more likely to be the same as your upcoming assessment.

4. Create a realistic exam environment

When you practise with exam papers, create an environment that is similar to the actual exam. This means sitting at a desk, using a timer, and avoiding distractions like your phone or social media. It also means not referring to your notes and external information sources. Creating a realistic exam environment will help you get used to the pressure of taking an exam and will help you stay focused. It will also provide you with the most accurate indication of how ready you are for the real exam. 

One of the biggest challenges of the HSC exams is the time pressure. You'll be required to answer a large number of questions in a limited amount of time. When practicing with exam papers, make sure you time yourself and try to complete the paper within the allotted time. This will help you get used to the time pressure and will help you develop strategies for managing your time during the actual exam.

Refrain from having the common thought: 'it's just a past exam paper, I'm sure I won't have issues with time in the real exam'. Treat the past exam paper as your real exam. Prepare for it and attempt it as you would for the actual assessment.

5. Analyse your performance

After you have completed a practice exam paper, analyse your performance. Look at the questions you got wrong and try to understand why you got them wrong. This will help you identify areas where you need to improve and will help you focus your study efforts. 

When you get a question incorrect, refrain from succumbing to the thought: 'Oh, that's a silly mistake, I would have chosen that in the real exam'.

Ask yourself, what was I thinking when I wrote this or chose this option? Do I really understand why I got it wrong and was it genuinely a silly mistake?'

You should try to identify and categorise your strengths and weaknesses. Are you stronger in a certain module or type of question (MCQ or written response)? After doing one to a few past exam papers, you should have a better idea of what topics you should focus more time revising and seeking help for. 

After practising a few exam papers, you should see improvements in your performance. If you are not improving, you should go through everything outlined above and ask your peers and teachers for advice. 

Good luck!

In conclusion, practice exam papers are a valuable tool for preparing for the HSC exams. By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can use practice papers effectively and improve your chances of performing well in the exams. Remember to start early, use past papers, create a realistic exam environment, analyse your performance, and practice under time pressure. Good luck!