Tips to get you ready for the exam room part 2

Aug 10, 2021

When it comes to time spent studying, many students will measure their success based on how long they were able to spend at their desk. However, effective study is all about quality over quantity, and the students who perform best in exams are the ones who study most effectively by learning the foundational knowledge and then training in exam conditions.

 

One task which many students spend a lot of time on is notes. Notes are important, but students must work actively in order to actually absorb the knowledge they are trying to learn. For example, recalling mindmaps or writing out short summaries for a topic from memory is far more effective than simply highlighting their class notes. 

 

Once students have become highly confident with their foundational knowledge, it is crucial that they start training on exam style tasks weeks before their Trials, Prelims or HSC. There is a lot of uncertainty at the moment as to the exact form that these exams will take, but we do know that, wherever these exams are, students will have to complete them in timed conditions. Therefore, the best way to build confidence and certainty is for students to put their phone away, pretend they are in an exam room and practice sections of exams such as writing their English essay in 40 minutes.

 

Doing timed exams at home requires a lot of self-discipline, but so does any type of training that we do, and at the end of the day, it is how we train that determines how well we do when it counts.

Join our Head Performance Coach Jesse, and Founder Fergus as they provide their best tips for success in the Trial Exams and the Final HSC Exams.  

 

 

 

 

Our HSC Specialists are ready to take any questions you have about the HSC process or about how your child can take control of their HSC year and achieve the results which they deserve.

Get in contact with us via our live chat or calling us on 1300 967 890.

Check out our previous blog post on how to maintain motivation during the Sydney Lockdown here.

“Let’s Talk About the HSC”

The ultimate podcast for students and parents navigating the journey of the HSC. Presented by HSC CoWorks, each episode dives into the challenges and triumphs of the HSC experience, offering expert advice, study tips, and insights into achieving academic success.

Whether you’re preparing for exams, managing stress, or looking for ways to stay motivated, this podcast is your go-to guide for all things HSC. Join us as we chat with educators, students, and professionals to help you thrive during this important academic milestone!

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Year 11 is all but over. Year 12 HSC Exams are still 30 days away.
So what does a CoWorks session look like right now?
For our Year 11s, prelims might be over but that doesn’t mean there’s “nothing to do”! This is the perfect window to get proactive: review what you learnt from prelims, understand your Year 12 syllabus, look at past HSC papers and start building the knowledge and exam skills you’ll need when Year 12 begins on 12 October.
For our Year 12s, it’s all about turning the lessons from Trials into action. Filling knowledge gaps. Refining and resubmitting responses. Closed-book recall. Exam simulation. Targeting those subjects and tasks you’d rather avoid and making every remaining moment count.
No wondering “What should I work on today?”
Students walk into their CoWorks session with a clear plan designed around exactly where they are in their HSC journey 💪
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🚨 ONE SPOT LEFT at Bondi Junction!
Our Final HSC Study Bootcamp this September/October is almost full at Bondi Junction with just 1 place remaining.
What to expect:
✓ 4 hours of focused, structured exam preparation each day
✓ Dedicated exam simulation
✓ HSC Marker feedback
✓ Support from our experienced coaching team
✓ Accountability to tackle your toughest subjects & tasks
✓ A productive environment alongside other motivated HSC students
✓ Build confidence and momentum heading into the final exams
📍 Bondi Junction — 1 spot left
📍 Places still available at Mosman, Balgowlah & Chatswood
📅 Bootcamp Dates
Week 1: Monday 28 September – Friday 2 October
Week 2: Tuesday 6 October – Friday 9 October
⏰ 10am–2pm daily
Don’t miss out on the final Bootcamp of your HSC campaign🔥 
https://hsccoworks.com.au/bootcamp/
🔥 FINAL HSC STUDY BOOTCAMP
Finish your HSC campaign with zero regrets, knowing you gave it everything you had.
Our final Study Bootcamp of the year is all about making those last few weeks count.
🔥 Boost your productivity with focused, structured exam training.
💡 Stay motivated alongside other students pushing towards their goals.
✅ Get exam ready with unseen questions, practice under pressure and accountability to tackle those ‘frog’ subjects and tasks you’d rather avoid!
⏰ Four focused hours each day, supported by HSC CoWorks coaches who know what it takes to navigate the final stages of the HSC.
📅 Monday 28 September - Friday 2 October (ALMOST FULL) and Tuesday 6 October - Friday 9 October
⏰ 10am–2pm
📍Balgowlah, Bondi Jct, Chatswood, Mosman
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. 💪
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