As you approach your HSC examinations this week, remember that many have gone before you and there are tried and tested strategies to ensuring you get the result that best reflects the work you have put in.

Each year there are some students whose results are not as good as they could be because of simple, easily avoidable factors.

Making the best attempt you can is a better strategy than not attempting the question at all.

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Be familiar with the key words in the Glossary of Key Words but remember that some HSC questions may start with words such as ‘how?’, ‘why?’ or ‘to what extent?’ and use verbs that are not included in the glossary, such as ‘design’, ‘translate’ or ‘list’.

It is in your interest to ensure that all your answers are clear, legible and easy to read.

Write your answers in black pen – pencil may be used where it is specifically directed but make sure that it can be read. Highlighters may be used to highlight text but NOT during reading time.  Liquid paper is not allowed in the exam room. It wastes time and may smudge your work and make it unreadable. If you make a mistake, cross it out so the markers know not to mark it.

The nature of some questions in an exam may vary from year to year. Don't assume you can prepare for an exam solely on the basis of past papers. The nature, format or emphasis of questions may vary and while HSC examiners will never set out to ‘trick' students, they will also avoid creating an overly predictable exam. 

Stimulus material - such as artwork, quotations or maps - may be included with a question for a number of reasons. For example, a map, drawing or quotation might provide a focus for analysis or interpretation. If a question contains stimulus material it will be needed to answer the question, so consider it carefully.

Multiple-choice questions provide a range of possible alternative answers for you to choose from. Read all the alternatives first and then choose the best possible answer. If you change your mind, there are instructions on the multiple-choice answer sheet about how to change your answer.

Sometimes an alternative would be correct in a different set of circumstances and is not the best overall answer. Or an alternative might be partially right with some element of incorrect information.

A number of exams have questions that relate to options or electives. Only answer the questions that relate to the option or elective that you have studied. If you answer questions from more than one option or elective, your responses will be marked but you will ONLY receive marks for the option with the highest mark. Don't waste time doing more than you need to.

Read more: Take the stress out of exams

Good luck to all HSC students