MECS Matters

Senior Secondary

News from Years 10 - 12

Managing Exam Study

Exam Tips

Exams are standardised assessments that test understanding, memory recall and subject specific skills in a time limited setting. Students in Years 9-12 at MECS sit internal exams each year that are designed to provide valuable practice for Year 12 VCE exams and a way to develop revision and writing skills. We take the development of exam skills very importantly as the final VCAA Year 12 exams contribute significantly to a student’s overall ATAR. Each year we run some exam preparation sessions with all students from Years 9-10 well before exams commence. These are delivered onsite by our own staff and/or by external companies such as Elevate Education. Below is some information that is shared with our students and that you may find helpful as you support your child at home:

 

General Revision Skill Tips for the exam preparation period:

  • Start early and spread it out
  • Eat well and exercise
  • Put your phone away
  • Study for 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break and repeat
  • Test yourself and test others
  • Study at a desk
  • Get some sleep
  • Pray for calm and focus
  • Plan out your study – don’t leave it to what you ‘feel’ like studying
  • Use a planner of some sort (digital or paper) to plan the use of your study time in the lead up to your exams
  • Include breaks and leisure time in your schedule

4 Key Elements to effective Exam Preparation: Understand, Create, Memorise, Repeat

Understand

  • Read exam outlines
  • Fill in learning gaps
  • Ask questions
  • Identify weaknesses
  • Know what you have to do
  • Teachers are here to help!

Create

  • Don’t just re-read old notes
  • Make something new
  • Flash cards, mind maps, posters, podcasts, quizzes, new notes
  • Use mnemonics

Memorise

  • Don’t forget your new notes
  • Aim to memorise
  • Study in 25 minute blocks
  • Do 5 minute self-tests
  • Use flash cards

Repeat

  • Repeat or forget
  • Get info into your long term memory
  • This will improve your recall
  • Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

Amelia Koole

Senior Secondary, Careers & VET Coordinator