The HSC Business Studies syllabus is huge, and trying to memorise it all can feel overwhelming. There are so many definitions, case studies and frameworks that it’s easy to get lost in the details. But you don’t need to memorise every single word to do well. What matters is understanding how the syllabus is structured, what the examiners are looking for, and how to study in a way that actually sticks.

Start by breaking the syllabus into the four main topics: Operations, Marketing, Finance and Human Resources. Within each one, pay attention to the verbs like explain, analyse, discuss and evaluate. These tell you what kind of understanding you need to show in the exam. Then, link each dot point to a real business example. It’s much easier to remember “Qantas reducing costs through technology” than just “cost leadership strategies.”

When you study, focus on active recall instead of just rereading notes. Make flashcards, teach a concept out loud or draw mind maps from memory. Do past papers and short answers that match the syllabus points so your brain gets used to retrieving information under exam conditions. Colour coding or simple acronyms can also help, like remembering the key influences on business decisions as “PEG-L”: political, economic, geographical and legal.

Most importantly, be consistent. Reviewing a small part of the syllabus each day is far more effective than cramming the night before. Keep refining and condensing your notes as your understanding improves.

Once you see how the syllabus fits together, memorising becomes much easier. You start to understand the bigger picture of how businesses work and how the different topics connect.

Emily Mackay