5 Essential Behaviours for getting a Band 6 in General Mathematics

Jul 11, 2017

 

  1. Break it down

The HSC General Maths syllabus covers both Preliminary material and year 12 material. All together that is 14 individual topics which include at least two sub-topics. That is a lot to cover, especially for larger assessments such as trials or the final HSC. A way to make studying for all of these topics less daunting is to break down each topic. Create a summary of each, with essential formulae and methods that are necessary for success with any question you could come across. This behaviour is crucial as remember, not every formula is on the formula sheet.

 

  1. Study checklist

After you have broken down your topics, it is essential to PLAN. You must think about what you need to do TODAY, TOMORROW and NEXT WEEK to stay on top of all of your topics and achieve the results you deserve. For General maths, I found the most efficient strategy was a study checklist. Create a list of to-do’s with each topic you must cover before your exam and aim to tick at least 2-3 topics off every day. To tick off a topic, you should know the formula’s and techniques that you need to master and have completed an assortment of challenging questions from past exams. This behaviour will ensure that you cover everything that you need to before your exam and keep you on track to succeed.

 

  1. Learn from your mistakes (GRIT)

The main complaint of General maths students after receiving assessment feedback is “I made a lot of silly mistakes.” These type of errors are very easy to do in maths; marks can be lost quickly for rounding incorrectly, using the wrong units or missing a crucial part of the question. However, topic tests and assessments are beneficial for figuring out your weaknesses. It is inevitable that throughout these tasks you will make mistakes however you should not allow these setbacks to translate into a belief that you just cannot achieve in a certain topic. You must apply “GRIT” towards your mistakes and make it your mission to figure out how you can get to the answer. You should always go through your previous assessments and re-do the questions you did not achieve full marks in as it is likely that you would repeat these mistakes again. This action will also allow you to figure out which topics are challenging to you and you may then focus on persevering in these to understand.

 

  1. Challenge questions

“Without struggle, there is no progress”

Your assessments and exams are designed to challenge you. Therefore, it is crucial to prepare by completing the most difficult questions you can find. It is always tempting, especially in maths to focus on completing simple multiple choice and textbook problems to gain the most basic understanding of the topic. However, this is not what you will be tested on. By practicing previous Trial/HSC/exam style questions you will have a better idea of what the questions will be like in your exam, and you will develop skills and prepare your brain to respond to what the question is asking you to do. After completing these type of tasks, your brain will be able to make connections in the exam room which will reduce the chances of you slipping into a state of drama (a.ka ‘panic’).

 

  1. Daily.

Possibly the most important behaviour to succeed in General Maths is to PRACTICE and TRAIN constantly. Ideally during the HSC, especially before trials and exams, you should be completing at least a few challenging questions every day. This action allows you to flex your brain muscles and strengthen the connections you have made surrounding your topics. By building General Maths study into your daily routine, you will constantly be developing your skills and become highly familiar with the types of questions you will see on your exam.

 

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act but a habit.”- Aristotle

 

Through integrating these behaviours into your study routine, you will see the effect that positive study habits, planning, and persistence contribute to your understanding and overall results.

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PDF of our planning pad for download

PDF of our Mind Map pad for download

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For most Year 12 students, Trial Exams are officially behind you! 🎉 Take a few days to switch off, reset and enjoy the feeling of having made it through!

Then it’s time to turn your attention to the final stretch. Trials aren’t meant to be perfect. They’re exactly what the name suggests, a trial run for the real thing.

So embrace the mistakes. Look closely at where marks were lost. Get feedback. Work out what needs to change and adjust your approach.

The next few weeks aren’t about starting again. They’re about refining, improving and building confidence from everything you’ve already done.

You’ve come this far. You’ve got this. 💪

#HSC2026 #HSCTrials #HSCStudy #Year12 #HSCTips

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For most Year 12 students, Trial Exams are officially behind you! 🎉 Take a few days to switch off, reset and enjoy the feeling of having made it through! Then it’s time to turn your attention to the final stretch. Trials aren’t meant to be perfect. They’re exactly what the name suggests, a trial run for the real thing. So embrace the mistakes. Look closely at where marks were lost. Get feedback. Work out what needs to change and adjust your approach. The next few weeks aren’t about starting again. They’re about refining, improving and building confidence from everything you’ve already done. You’ve come this far. You’ve got this. 💪 #HSC2026 #HSCTrials #HSCStudy #Year12 #HSCTips

Celebrating 30 years of HSC CoWorks! 💫

In 1996, @fergusgardiner started working with a small group of HSC students in Bondi Junction. His ability to inspire a genuine passion for learning particularly in English quickly saw that small group grow through word of mouth.

Fergus’ wife @carollgardiner alongside their son @jesseperformancecoach and his wife @sarahgards7 joined the business as it grew, helping to establish campuses in Mosman, Chatswood, Lindfield, Dee Why and Balgowlah. Jesse and Sarah now lead the organisation alongside an incredible team of more than 100 coaches, markers, teachers, an amazing Head Office and Web Development team, and also Emily and Nick who joined our team this year. There have been plenty of ups and downs, milestones, obstacles and lessons along the way, and HSC CoWorks wouldn’t be where it is today without the incredible people who have been part of it over the years.

And to every student who has walked through our doors and every parent who has trusted us to play a part in their child’s education, THANK YOU. Your support and trust over the past 30 years means more to us than we can say. We are so grateful to have worked with your child during the most important stage of their schooling career and thank you for championing our program as we strive to support young people develop the skills, habits and mindset that will support them long after their HSC.

And of course to our own family, especially our three children who put up with having both parents in the business and many weekends and evenings spent around the dinner table building new ideas, solving problems, packing study toolkits and everything in between!

We’re incredibly proud of what has been built over the past three decades, but even more excited about what comes next.

Thank you,
Jesse, Sarah, Fergus & Carol Gardiner

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Celebrating 30 years of HSC CoWorks! 💫 In 1996, @fergusgardiner started working with a small group of HSC students in Bondi Junction. His ability to inspire a genuine passion for learning particularly in English quickly saw that small group grow through word of mouth. Fergus’ wife @carollgardiner alongside their son @jesseperformancecoach and his wife @sarahgards7 joined the business as it grew, helping to establish campuses in Mosman, Chatswood, Lindfield, Dee Why and Balgowlah. Jesse and Sarah now lead the organisation alongside an incredible team of more than 100 coaches, markers, teachers, an amazing Head Office and Web Development team, and also Emily and Nick who joined our team this year. There have been plenty of ups and downs, milestones, obstacles and lessons along the way, and HSC CoWorks wouldn’t be where it is today without the incredible people who have been part of it over the years. And to every student who has walked through our doors and every parent who has trusted us to play a part in their child’s education, THANK YOU. Your support and trust over the past 30 years means more to us than we can say. We are so grateful to have worked with your child during the most important stage of their schooling career and thank you for championing our program as we strive to support young people develop the skills, habits and mindset that will support them long after their HSC. And of course to our own family, especially our three children who put up with having both parents in the business and many weekends and evenings spent around the dinner table building new ideas, solving problems, packing study toolkits and everything in between! We’re incredibly proud of what has been built over the past three decades, but even more excited about what comes next. Thank you, Jesse, Sarah, Fergus & Carol Gardiner

The HSC matters. But what students build along the way matters even more.

The HSC year is your training ground for life.. where you can develop skills like how to plan ahead, take ownership, tackle challenges, respond to feedback and perform under pressure.

These aren’t just skills for getting through Year 12. They’re the skills, mindset and habits that you will take with you into university, work and whatever comes next.

At HSC CoWorks, our role is to provide the structure, support, coaching and accountability that helps students develop these capabilities, while working towards their HSC goals.

#hsccoworks #hsc2026 #hsc2027 #hscstudyskills #hscmotivation

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The HSC matters. But what students build along the way matters even more. The HSC year is your training ground for life.. where you can develop skills like how to plan ahead, take ownership, tackle challenges, respond to feedback and perform under pressure. These aren’t just skills for getting through Year 12. They’re the skills, mindset and habits that you will take with you into university, work and whatever comes next. At HSC CoWorks, our role is to provide the structure, support, coaching and accountability that helps students develop these capabilities, while working towards their HSC goals. #hsccoworks #hsc2026 #hsc2027 #hscstudyskills #hscmotivation

The HSC isn’t meant to feel easy. But every time you choose to keep going, you’re building the confidence you’ll take into that exam room.

Do the hard work now. Thank yourself later. 💪

#HSC2026 #HSCMotivation #HSCStudy #HSCCoWorks

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The HSC isn’t meant to feel easy. But every time you choose to keep going, you’re building the confidence you’ll take into that exam room. Do the hard work now. Thank yourself later. 💪 #HSC2026 #HSCMotivation #HSCStudy #HSCCoWorks

HSC CoWorks Open Days are coming this September!

If you’re heading into Year 12 (HSC 2027), come and experience HSC CoWorks for yourself.

Meet our team, explore the space and discover how we help students build the structure, study habits, accountability and exam skills needed to reach their full potential in their HSC year.

📍 CHATSWOOD — 12 Sept | 10–11:30am
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⭐ Hear from our Head Performance Coach
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Places are limited so please book your spot via the link in bio.

#HSCCoWorks #HSC2027 #Year12 #HSCStudy #HSCMotivation

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HSC CoWorks Open Days are coming this September! If you’re heading into Year 12 (HSC 2027), come and experience HSC CoWorks for yourself. Meet our team, explore the space and discover how we help students build the structure, study habits, accountability and exam skills needed to reach their full potential in their HSC year. 📍 CHATSWOOD — 12 Sept | 10–11:30am 📍 BONDI JUNCTION — 12 Sept | 2–3:30pm 📍 MOSMAN — 19 Sept | 10–11:30am 📍 BALGOWLAH — 19 Sept | 2–3:30pm ⭐ Hear from our Head Performance Coach ⭐ Tour your local campus ⭐ Meet our Coaches & hear their stories ⭐ Ask questions and learn how the program works FREE TO ATTEND | Students + parents/carers welcome Places are limited so please book your spot via the link in bio. #HSCCoWorks #HSC2027 #Year12 #HSCStudy #HSCMotivation