Knowing your syllabus in Years 11 and 12 is a game-changer. These are the years that really count, and understanding exactly what’s expected of you can make all the difference. Your syllabus isn’t just a boring list of topics—it’s basically a cheat sheet for what you need to know, what skills you need to develop, and how you’ll be assessed.
One of the biggest mistakes students make is studying blindly, wasting time on stuff that won’t even be tested. But if you actually go through your syllabus, you’ll know what to focus on and how much weight each topic holds. That way, you can study smarter, not harder.
Even more important is using the right language in your essays and responses. Every subject has essential rubric words—those key terms that markers are literally looking for. Whether it’s “analyse,” “evaluate,” or “justify,” throwing in these words (and actually doing what they ask) shows that you understand the question and are hitting the criteria needed for top marks.
The syllabus also tells you exactly how you’ll be assessed. If you know an essay is coming, you can prepare strong thesis statements and arguments ahead of time. Understanding these requirements means no surprises on the day.
At the end of the day, knowing your syllabus and using the right rubric words in your responses makes your life so much easier. It helps you study with purpose, structure your answers the way markers want, and ultimately, score higher. So don’t just rely on class notes—read your syllabus, highlight those key words, and use them every chance you get!

Eireyna Papinyan