Exam tips for hsc students
- 1. Ok so on this wiki we’ve been through a lot of different things… Like what you ask? Let’s revise…
- 2. On the main page you’ve found… Hopefully all these things have been very beneficial for you!! Syllabus and Core Content Collaborative discussions Videos, resources and links
- 3. So you might be thinking… Awesome, I now know a lot more and have a better understanding of PDHPE!
- 4. And you also might be thinking… Discussing and collaborating with other students really helped me discover different perspectives, views and knowledge of PDHPE!
- 5. And finally you might consider… Videos, website links and short clips are a really great way to examine PDHPE topics as we all learn in different ways other than just reading and writing!
- 6. HOWEVER… You also might be thinking...
- 7. BUT WHAT THE HECK DO I DO WHEN I’M IN THE EXAM??? I know everything leading up to the exam… • What types of questions are there? • How long do I have? • How do I make sure I don’t run out of time? • How do I answer the extended response questions successfully? • What on Earth is ‘exam technique’? • Oh my gosh I’m so stressed and nervous I’ve gone blank!
- 8. Well, I’m glad you asked… Because you’ve come to just the right place!! No need to stress, we have all the answers for you.
- 10. Exam Structure 2010 Exam: Section I Part A: Objective response questions (20 marks) Part B: Short answer questions (40 marks) Section II: • There are five options. • Students answer the questions on the two options studied. • There are two questions on each option. • The first question is worth 8 marks and may contain parts. • The second question is worth 12 marks, with an expected length of response of 500 words (3½ booklet pages). (40 marks) • Total 100 marks Check out the exam here as a downloadable pdf file: http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc_exams/hsc2010exams/pdf_doc/2010-hsc-exam-pdhpe.pdf
- 12. EXAM TECHNIQUE and EXTENDED RESPONSE STRAEGY
- 13. Time Allocation for Your Answers… Ok let’s break it down. Section I PART A: 20 Multiple Choice Questions Allow about 40 minutes PART B: Short Answer Questions Allow about 1 hour and 10 minutes Section II Two extended answer questions Allow for 1 hour and 10 minutes (35 minutes for each) Remember: • This is just a guide. • You might want to cater this breakdown to your personal strengths. For example, if you feel you are more confident with multiple choice questions, and you finish them earlier than 40 minutes, perhaps allocate the extra time to the section of the exam you feel you might need to focus on more like the short answers or extended responses. http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/highschool/examtips.php
- 14. Reading and Understanding the Question This is where the ‘HSC Dictionary’ section of this wiki becomes useful! Alright, first up. When reading the question, we need to do what is called ‘dismantling’ (pulling apart) what the question is asking. That way, you will know what need to say to in order to maximise your potential for marks! Second thing, once you have dismantled The question to understand exactly what you need to put into your answer, it is then time to PLAN your answer. Here we go… http://hsc.csu.edu.au/study/exam.htm
- 15. Look for the words that are asking you to do something. What is the question asking you to do? ‘EXPLAIN’ and ‘ADDRESS’. These are called KEY WORDS (and are also verbs). Section I, Part B 2012 Exam http://hsc.csu.edu.au/study/exam.htm
- 16. Who are we talking about? (Key Words) ‘Individuals, communities and governments’ ONE group OTHER THAN: ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’. Section I, Part B 2012 Exam http://hsc.csu.edu.au/study/exam.htm
- 17. What is the subject of the question? (What are we talking about?) ‘Health inequities’ --------------------------------------------------------- Health inequities: A health inequity is an unnecessary, avoidable, unfair and unjust difference between the health or healthcare of one person, and that of another. 'Health inequity' should not be used interchangeably with the term 'health inequality' because the differences in health or healthcare that people experience are not necessarily unfair or unjust. Health inequity is concerned with social justice, values or politics, while inequalities in health are a matter of fact. Health inequities, like health inequalities, can be eradicated or reduced because they are products of human action. However, addressing them can have considerable political implications because of the value judgement involved: not all people will judge the same health difference to be unfair. Section I, Part B 2012 Exam http://www.nice.org.uk/website/glossary/glossary.jsp?alpha=H
- 18. Phew, now what? Now we know more about the question by studying it more carefully. One of the most important clues in the wording of the question is that we need to ‘explain’ not just ‘describe’. Look at the difference (from the HSC dictionary): Describe: Provide characteristics and features. Explain: Relate cause and effect; make the relationships between things evident, provide why and or how. Section I, Part B 2012 Exam
- 19. Now, piecing it together further. What is the question asking you to explain? --- ‘The roles’ of individuals, communities and governments. --- How they ‘address’ health inequities. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hl2n501VE-A/TU9-TbtVSYI/AAAAAAAAAOo/no5Z8F8zpbA/s400/inequity.jpg
- 20. Now let’s look a bit more at the content and how we might plan the answer. Individual roles that address health inequities: Learning new skills, seeking support, behaviour modification Community roles that address health inequities: PCYC, meals on wheels Government roles that address health inequities: Medicare, PBS These can be used as EXAMPLES in the answer to demonstrate you have a absolute understanding of the question and the knowledge to answer it completely. http://povertybadforhealth.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/capture-1.jpg
- 21. Let’s do some more exploring of the question and how we might plan the answer. Individuals that may have health inequities OTHER THAN Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: • Elderly people • People in remote areas • People born overseas • People born with or living with a disability Also think about why these groups may be experiencing health inequities (next slide). These can be used as EXAMPLES in the answer to demonstrate you have a absolute understanding of the question and the knowledge to answer it completely.
- 22. People in rural and remote areas Despite perceived health advantages of living outside of a major city (clean air, less traffic, relaxed lifestyle), those who live in rural and remote areas generally have poorer health than their major city counterparts, reflected in higher levels of mortality, disease and health risk factors. Medical services are not as accessible in rural areas. Over-seas born people Australia has one of the largest proportions of immigrant populations in the world, with an estimated 25% of the total population (5.5 million people) born overseas. Language barriers for people with a non-English speaking background make them less likely to access or seek health goods and services. Cultural differences such as immunisation beliefs may impact on their level of health. The elderly Australia is an ‘aging population’, meaning older Australians are living longer and healthier lives than previous generations. This means there is a need to increase health services relating to the elderly and in turn increases national health costs. Amongst older Australians, in 2007, coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease (notably stroke) were the two leading causes of death among older males (26%) and females (29%). These diseases are also major causes of disability among older Australians. People with disabilities One in five Australians live with some degree of disability. People with a disability experience inequities due to employment opportunities, societal perceptions and on going health care leading to financial difficulties. The large majority of disabilities include arthritis, respiratory diseases, circulatory diseases and musculoskeletal disorders. Sensory disorders (such as diseases of the ear and eye) are also common, as are mental disorders. The consequences include powerlessness (or feelings of powerlessness) to make healthy lifestyle choices and a reduced capacity opportunities for better health. http://hsc.csu.edu.au/pdhpe/
- 23. The next slide is a sample answer to the HSC question so you can observe how what we have just studied can be put together. Many of the HSC questions will require you to include a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and their connections with evidence or examples to show the markers that you know exactly what you’re talking about! Here is the ‘Essay Burger’. When writing your extended responses. Keep these steps (or ingredients) in mind! http://img.sparknotes.com/content/testprep/bookimgs/newsat/0004/horrible.gif
- 25. Hints and Tips for HSC Exam Survival! http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/keep-calm-and-study-for-exams-36.png
- 26. Here are some general exam tips to keep in mind: Try not to stress or panic about the exam. Don’t doubt your ability and stay confident. Use the 5 minute reading time effectively. Skim through all the questions to assess which questions will require more time to solve. Do not forget to attempt all questions. Students often fail to realise how many questions there are in an exam or forget to return to any missed questions later. Read all questions carefully, underlining key words and phrases. When answering questions in the HSC examinations, pay attention to the mark allocation – if a question is worth 4 marks then this means your answer must have at least 4 steps of working. Keep an eye on the time and make sure that you answer all the questions you know first. Don’t ponder over a question for too In written response questions, write short sentences including only one idea per sentence. Make sure these sentences follow a logical sequence. Use a pen and write clearly. If you make a mistake, cross it out with one clear line across the work you don’t want the examiner to mark and start again. Do not use liquid paper… It’s a waste of time! Be meticulous about going over your exam until the final minute allowed. Search for errors in your interpretations of questions, calculation errors, and ways to improve your written answers.
- 27. Have all necessary material with you: You can't borrow items such as pens, pencils, rulers or special equipment while in an examination. Have a relaxing night before your exams: Have an early night, and try to have a healthy breakfast. Read the entire paper: Where you have choices, decide which ones you plan to answer. Jot down ideas as they come to you: While you are answering one question, information about another may suddenly occur to you. Jot it down somewhere because when you come to that question perhaps an hour later, you may have forgotten it. Don't leave any questions unanswered: If you are short of time, use note form. Remember, you can only be marked on the answers you give. Never leave the room early: If you have time at the end, go over your work, add information (e.g. in the margin). You can't return if you suddenly remember a fact after you have left. Do not spend too long on multiple choice questions: With multiple choice questions it is best to cover the answers and work out your own before looking at the choices on paper. If you can't answer the question come back to it later - have a guess. Never omit an entire question: No matter how well you answer other questions, you must leave time for all questions - a perfect answer can still only earn a certain number of marks. If you write nothing, you can't receive any marks and you have lost all your marks for a particular question. Write something - it may at least give you a few points. Maintain a stable energy level: Eating foods such as chocolate bars before an exam might give you an energy boost to begin with but your blood sugar levels will drop within an hour and your energy will plunge dramatically, making it hard for you to concentrate.
- 28. When learning and studying your best weapon and tool for success is to be KNOWLEDGABLE about all the PDHPE content you cover over the course of Year 11 and 12. Make sure you give yourself the BEST AVAIALBLE OPPORTUNITY to reach your FULLEST potential in the exams and beyond. Use this wiki and your class time to analyse, discuss, consider, view different perspectives and UNDERSTAND the concepts delivered to you. Find support in your friends, family, carers, teachers and peers to help you through the tough bits and celebrate with you in the good times. Engage in as much practice as possible to develop your literacy (reading, writing, speaking, hearing, viewing and representing) so that you are fully equipped with all the weapons you need to kill the HSC and maximise your success.