The worst thing about the HSC, or any exam season really, is finding out your timetable. If you’re lucky you might get a few days between exams, though you’re almost guaranteed to get two exams day after one another, or even on the same day. Here’s how I came to deal with it through both the high school and the HSC:

1. Mixed Study Daily (Retention)
The most important part, and this applies to all subjects too, is that you spend time on BOTH subjects on the days leading up to your two exams. This means that you’re actively growing your memory and comprehension across both subjects, and not losing any study on the downtime between spaced study sessions.

2. Burnout Between Exams (Sleep & Rest)
After an exam, especially a 3-hour one in the HSC, you’re going to be tired afterwards. Just with any normal studying and exam, you need breaks, and you definitely need sleep. Don’t neglect your own recovery to get in an hour or two more study for the next test, it’s almost always worth it to get that extra sleep. Getting proper sleep before an exam dictates how much of all the study you did is being used, it’s about getting your brain back to it’s full efficiency.

3. Study Time Allocation (Timetables)
Once again this is important for all exams, but especially significant when it comes to back-to-back exams. You need to be planning your studying for the days coming up to the two exams, as well as balancing this plan to your weaknesses and strengths + any little time you have between exams. Those last few days before your exams are especially crucial for memory and understanding, so utilise them well for both exams.

The effects of these three points on your performance are only amplified in unison with each other. They are just as important as each other, and are crucial to cementing all your hard work throughout the year despite horrible exam timing. Take from some who wished he followed this when it was his turn.

Felix Panizza

Felix Panizza