| Doing well in HSC sciences requires a slightly | | | | there is no way you can predict what specific |
| different approach than HSC maths or English | | | | questions will be asked of you. You will only know |
| subjects. HSC sciences, like Chemistry, Physics | | | | that everything tested will be in the syllabus, but |
| and Biology, place a heavy focus on the syllabus. | | | | the specific wording of your questions can catch |
| Detailed knowledge and familiarisation of the | | | | you offguard. |
| syllabus is very important. | | | | If you rely on memorisation of the course |
| TIP 1: Know the syllabus | | | | content, you are inflexible. A question that is |
| Knowing the syllabus very important. Firstly, all | | | | slightly unorthodox in approach or worded in an |
| HSC science exams can only test you on content | | | | unfamiliar way will catch you offguard, and you will |
| within the syllabus. Most of the time, HSC exam | | | | run the risk of losing easy marks. However, if you |
| questions will simply be a syllabus dot-point that | | | | genuinely understand the concepts involved, you |
| has been reworded. | | | | can always derive the answer in the spot, even if |
| For example, an actual HSC Chemistry syllabus | | | | the question is worded in an unfamiliar way, or |
| dot-point is "Describe hydrogen bonding between | | | | requires unorthodox thinking. This way, you are a |
| molecules". A corresponding exam question can | | | | flexible student, and no matter how the exam is |
| ask something simple like "Describe hydrogen | | | | set, you will get a high mark reflecting your good |
| bonding between water molecules". Alternatively, | | | | ability. |
| exam questions can be slightly more complicated, | | | | There are certain situations where memorisation |
| for example: "Identify a compound that exhibits | | | | is appropriate. Generally, these are: |
| strong hydrogen bonding and descbribe how | | | | 1. Remembering topics for the long essay-type |
| hydrogen bonding affects its melting and boiling | | | | questions. E.g. in HSC Physics, it is a good idea to |
| temperatures". However in both cases, the | | | | come up with a list of points regarding the pros |
| question can be reduced to simply describing your | | | | and cons of AC versus DC. A common exam |
| knowledge of how hydrogen bonding works as | | | | question may be "Discuss" or "Compare and |
| between molecules, and how this phenomenon | | | | evaluate" or "Assess the impact on society of the |
| affects some of the chemical's physical | | | | development of AC electricity". To tackle these |
| propertie(s). | | | | quesitons, it is a good idea to try to memorise a |
| If you have an excellent understanding of the | | | | short list of words or phrases which remind you |
| syllabus and have covered in detail each dot-point, | | | | of a general topic to argue, in favour of either |
| you will know enough to get a Band 6. We | | | | side (AC vs DC). |
| emphasise the fact that exams can only test you | | | | 2. Some facts have no pattern, so it is useful to |
| on what is in the syllabus. If you ever don't | | | | memorise them. HSC Chemistry is a good |
| understand a concept because it has been poorly | | | | example of this. Good students memorise all of |
| explained to you at school, or the concept is very | | | | the composite ions, their molecular formulae and |
| difficult, ask your teacher whether it is in the | | | | their valencies through gaining experience in the |
| syllabus. If it is not, understand that it will not be | | | | course. Another example would be memorising |
| examined, so don't worry too much about not | | | | certain definitional bodies of knowledge, like |
| fully understanding that concept. However, if a | | | | Newton's laws. |
| concept is within the syllabus, or required by one | | | | 3. Memorise the simple equations. This is highly |
| of the dot-points as background information, you | | | | important, and will save you much time and grief |
| should know it well. | | | | during an exam. Although a formula sheet is |
| TIP 2: Know what's important for practicals / | | | | provided to you for HSC sciences, it is a good |
| experiments | | | | idea to memorise the simple equations or |
| HSC Sciences' syllabi contains many dot-points | | | | formulae, as always flicking towards the back of |
| requiring students to "conduct a first-hand | | | | your exam paper wastes valuable seconds each |
| investigation", or "gather data from a first-hand | | | | time. Also by memorising the simple equations, |
| investigation". These dot-points are responsible for | | | | you are less likely to make calculation errors than |
| the regular experiments you conduct at school. It | | | | blindly copying out the formulae from the data |
| is very important that you do not neglect the | | | | sheet everytime. |
| information presented to you during one of those | | | | But always strive to understand the underlying |
| experiment classes at school. Many students think | | | | concept, as it will benefit you in the long run. |
| of experiments as fun (and they are), but they | | | | TIP 4: Make good use of the resources available |
| ignore the fact that each experiment deals with | | | | to you |
| at least one dot-point in the syllabus, sometimes | | | | What we mean by this is, for example: |
| several at once. | | | | 1. Whenever you have a question, ask your |
| The things you need to know in ALL experiments | | | | teacher! |
| are: | | | | 2. Whenever you don't understand a concept fully |
| 1. The scientific principle being tested / used (for | | | | and completely, ask your teacher until you |
| example, an experiment to demonstrate Newton's | | | | understand! |
| second law requires you to firstly understand the | | | | 3. Work with other bright students who are keen |
| formula F=ma and how to use it in calculations). | | | | on doing well in the HSC. Share notes with them. |
| 2. The correct procedure. A very important | | | | Most teachers will answer any question a student |
| example is in titrations, where washing procedures | | | | asks them, as they will be happy to know that |
| will sometimes be tested in exam questions (E.g. | | | | their students are so dedicated to doing well. |
| "Explain what is a primary standard", or "Explain | | | | After all, the satisfaction of seeing their students |
| the need to finally rinse a pipette with the solution | | | | succeed is one of the main reasons why teachers |
| it is to contain, before using it") | | | | choose this profession! However not every |
| 3. Safety issues / appropriate precautions. For | | | | student has access to teachers that are willing |
| example, when doing a flame test, never burn | | | | and happy to answer many questions or explain |
| lead compounds. Or when burning magnesium, use | | | | concepts at length. In this case, there may be |
| tongs and don't stare into the flame. (Other | | | | other resources available to you. For example, |
| examples include: know which metals / chemicals | | | | find good tutoring and ask the teachers there! |
| are toxic, when goggles and gloves are required, | | | | Another thing to keep in mind is making your own |
| how to deal with fires / flames etc) | | | | syllabus dot-point summaries. Synthesise and |
| 4. Sources of error: this last one is important | | | | gather all your knowledge, summarise it and write |
| because many HSC exam questions may ask you | | | | it onto paper. It is a good idea to submit your |
| to talk about the sources of errors in | | | | notes for review by your class teacher (or |
| experiments you should have done at school. For | | | | after-school tutor) to make sure your knowledge |
| example, "Identify three sources of error in this | | | | of the course is comprehensive. Going this far |
| experiment, and suggest ways to minimise their | | | | may seen daunting, but remember that high |
| effect on your results." | | | | marks can only come with hard work. |
| The important thing to remember here is to pay | | | | Conclusion |
| attention in school during experiment classes, and | | | | Our top 3 tips for succeeding in HSC sciences are: |
| not to ignore these dot-points during your study | | | | 1. Know the syllabus like the back of your hand! |
| and revision. | | | | 2. Know what to study for when it comes to the |
| TIP 3: Understand the concepts | | | | experiment dot-points. |
| We do not recommend trying to memorise too | | | | 3. Make sure you understand the concepts |
| many things. HSC sciences cannot be mastered | | | | involved in your subject. Do not rely on |
| through memorisation, and all of the top students | | | | memorisation, unless it's the only way. |
| who achieve a HSC mark of >95 genuinely | | | | Following this general advice will improve most |
| understand the concepts in their subject. | | | | students' approach to HSC sciences, as these are |
| Understanding the concept is very important to | | | | the main shortcomings of most HSC science |
| succeeding in HSC sciences. Before an exam, | | | | students of today. |