Learning & Teaching News
VCE Exam Preparation: A Critical Time for Our Year 12 Students
As we approach the final stretch of the VCE journey, we want to remind parents of the importance of the upcoming weeks in preparing for the VCE exams. Your child has recently completed their trial exams and received detailed feedback from each of their teachers. This feedback is invaluable and should form the foundation of their revision during the September school holidays.
These holidays are not just a break but a crucial period to significantly increase their dedication to studies. It’s a time for students to review their trial exam feedback, identify areas for improvement, and consolidate their understanding of key concepts. Encouraging your child to focus on their studies during this period will greatly enhance their chances of achieving the best possible results.
One practical approach is encouraging your child to create a revision timetable covering all subjects with specific goals for each session. This can help them stay organised and ensure they cover all necessary material. Active revision techniques, such as summarising notes, creating mind maps, and practising past exam papers, are beneficial for deepening understanding and improving memory retention. It’s also important to remind them to take regular breaks during their study sessions—short breaks can help maintain focus and prevent burnout. Incorporating physical activity or relaxation during these breaks can further enhance their productivity.
If possible, suggest that your child join or form a study group. Collaborative learning can provide new perspectives on the material and keep motivation high, making revision more engaging and effective.
Once the holidays conclude, there will be only two weeks of regular lessons before exams commence. Full attendance during these weeks is essential. These final lessons will be vital for reinforcing knowledge, clarifying any lingering doubts, and fine-tuning exam strategies. To ensure full engagement during this critical period, encourage your child to actively participate in class, ask questions, participate in discussions, and seek help from teachers on any challenging topics.
The feedback from trial exams should guide them in prioritising weaker areas that need more attention during these weeks. Completing timed practice exams at home can also help them get accustomed to exam conditions, improving their time management and confidence. Remind your child to stay organised with their notes and study space—a tidy environment can lead to a clearer mind and reduced stress. Lastly, maintaining a positive mindset is key. Encouraging them to keep a positive outlook, even when things get tough, can significantly impact their final preparation.
In these final weeks, students need to take ownership of their learning. The effort they put in now will directly impact their exam performance. Encourage your child to stay resilient, keep pushing through challenges, and focus on their goals. They will be well-prepared to achieve their best in the upcoming exams by staying committed and making the most of this critical time.
Additionally, as highlighted in Hannah Reich's article, *"How to Help Your Distracted Teen Find Motivation and Focus for School"* (Wednesday, 4 September, 2024), parents can play a crucial role in helping teens stay organised and motivated, especially those who may be neurodivergent or easily distracted. By creating a consistent routine, such as the “Sunday set-up” to plan tasks for the week, and emphasising the benefits of completing school work—such as freeing up time for activities they enjoy—parents can help their children stay engaged in their studies. These strategies, combined with a focus on long-term habits, are essential during this high-pressure time.
Below is an article that contains some useful tips on how parents can further support their Year 12 child as exams approach.
https://theconversation.com/how-can-you-support-your-year-12-student-during-their-final-exams-237467
Mary Armstrong David Hansen
Senior Years Curriculum Leader Deputy Principal - Learning & Teaching
Cranbourne Campus