CAFSCAFSHSC Enrichment DayHSC Enrichment Day

20122012

Exam TechniqueExam Technique

Exam StructureExam Structure• Section I : Core 1, Core 2, Core 3

Part A: 20 marks• Questions – 20 Multiple choice questions• Answer on separate multiple choice answer

sheet.

Part B: 55 marks• Questions – Short answer questions• Answer on lines provided.

• Section II: 25 marks• Questions – Options• One short answer and one extended

response question for each option• ONLY answer the questions for the option you

have studied• Answer in a separate writing booklet

Time AllocationTime Allocation

• Exam length is 3 hours (180 minutes)

• PLUS 5 minutes reading time

• BOS recommends the following time breakdown on the front page of the exam paper

Section I:

• Part A: 35 minutes - Multiple choice

• Part B: 1 hour and 40 minutes - Short answer

Section II:

• Option 1: 45 minutes - Short answer and extended response

Things to PonderThings to Ponder

• What will you read in the reading time?

• What section will you start first?

• What will you do if you draw a blank on a question?

Activity 1.

Marking the HSCMarking the HSC

• Marking guidelines.

• Pilot marking/real marking.

• Script double marked (Option only).

• Discrepancies.

• Positive marking.

‘ ‘Quick Tricks’Quick Tricks’

• Evaluate the extent to which community service groups assist in meeting the needs of ONE group you have studied.

8 marks

What to include in a response•Name group and write a definition (show knowledge of legal and/ or social definitions)•Show knowledge of the needs of the group•Show how community service groups help to meet the groups needs•Make a judgement as to how effective OR ineffective the community service group is in meeting the groups needs•Use examples

Activity 2.

‘‘What are the Quick Tricks’What are the Quick Tricks’

1. Read the question

2. Identify the marks allocated

3. Circle the HSC word/s so you know HOW to answer the question

4. Underline the syllabus points so you know WHAT the question is asking you about

5. Read the question again for key hints

6. Use acronyms to remember key concepts

Activity 2 Cont.

Verbs How to answer Sentence

Name Define Identify List

What are the areas of content?

e.g. The Homeless can be defined as …e.g. The needs of this group include...e.g. A community service group (CSG) called …

Scaffold for writing a responseScaffold for writing a response

Describe Outline Recall Recount

What are the features? /What are the characteristics? /What are the properties?

e.g. these needs refer to…e.g. the features of this CSG are OR services offered by this CSG include 

Explain Account Apply Illustrate

What are the reasons why? /What is it for? /How does it work?

e.g. these are needs for the group because …e.g. this CSG offers these services because/… 

Analyse Compare Examine

What are the specific elements?How do the areas relate?Why is it important?What can happen?

e.g. this CGS helps/meets these needs by…e.g. this is important because…e.g. if the CGS does not meet these needs then…

Critically analyse Discuss

What are the positives and negatives?How effective is it?

e.g. the best thing about this CGS is…e.g. the negatives about this CGS are…e.g. this CGS is effective to an some extent…e.g. this CGS is ineffective to a degree….

Evaluate Predict Assess

Why is it effective or not?What might it lead to?What is your judgement?

e.g. this CGS is extremely effective / ineffective because….e.g. as a result of this CGS being ineffective the groups needs are…e.g. due to the effectiveness of this CGS the groups needs are…e.g. the CGS is therefore not effective / very effective

PointElaborateExampleLink

Framework for writing a logical and Framework for writing a logical and clear responseclear response

START !

One minute madnessOne minute madness

STOP!Activity 5.

Support NetworksSupport Networks

Teacher/tutor HSC Advice line 13 11 12 Stuvac study groups Textbook/study guides/past papers BOS site – coping with stress BOS sample answers