How to Prepare for the VCE Exams – Tips to Study Effectively

What is VCE?

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is the senior secondary qualification in Victoria. This course consists of VCE studies (subjects), like Mathematics, English, Humanities, Science, etc. These subjects have four units (Units 1, 2, 3 and 4), each a semester in length.

How are VCE exams marked?

Students are scored on their performance in the school-based assessments and external examinations. In the Year 12 finals, they are tested from Units 3 and 4. However, both Units 1 and 2 offer a foundation for the later units and are equally important.

At the end of the process, students receive a Study Score out of 50 for each unit, calculated on “raw” and “scaled” scores. The raw score is based on how well the student did compared to their peers. However, it doesn’t consider the overall competition within cohorts.

To ensure fairness, the examination body scales each of the results based on a standardised format. Apart from this, anyone who appears in VCE receives an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) – a national ranking – based on their performance. It indicates the aspirant’s relative performance in their age group.

Interests and Strengths: Select subjects you find interesting and enjoyable. It will make learning more engaging and boost performance.

Future Goals: Think about your career aspirations or preferred university courses. Certain disciplines might be prerequisites or highly recommended for specific fields of study. Research university and course requirements to ensure the VCE subjects align with your future goals.

Picking Scaling Subjects: Scaling aims to bring equality among students participating in a particular year. However, this can work against you. Subjects that are considered easy may scale down, and vice-versa. Nevertheless, going for subjects you’re good at is a safe bet.

Create a Routine and Stick to it: Set up a realistic timetable at the start of the year and stick to it. A routine can help you track progress and make it easier to hit deadlines. It also provides structure, minimises stress and cuts out procrastination!

For instance, schedule time for homework, revision, extra-curricular commitment, sleep and more. You can adjust and revise your timetable if something isn’t working. However, relaxation and sleep are essential, so try not to cut on them.

Use the Pomodoro Study Technique: With the VCE exam schedule out, it’s time to focus and be productive. The Pomodoro technique is an effective method that can help you seize the day. In this method, you break up your study cycle into 25-minute blocks with a 5-minute break. The system lets you focus better when studying and makes you feel more productive. When using this technique, pick one topic to study for every 25-minute block, followed by a 5-minute break.

Build a Healthy Routine: While undergoing VCE exam preparations, do not ignore your health. With all the time spent on homework and study, squeezing anything into the routine could be difficult. However, spending 30 minutes a day exercising can be immensely helpful.

Exercise has been linked to better focus and boosts your memory. Additionally, it can help manage stress and improve the sleep cycle. Go for a run or swim, ride your bike or do something that involves movement. You won’t regret it!

Get 8 Hours of Sleep: Although many students claim to sleep less, it is not recommended. While sleeping, your brain processes the information learnt throughout the day and files it for later use. You can later recall this from memory – a critical feat you need during exams.

It can be tempting to pull all-nighters to cover the VCE subject list, but it can be counter-productive. Delaying your bedtime can make you cranky, irritated and less focused. If you are tired, get some sleep and start afresh the next day.

Help Manage Anxiety: VCE candidates are worried about exams and their ATAR scores. It often leads to anxiety and stress, causing exhaustion. As a parent, you would want your children to avoid this situation. Try to understand their triggers and validate their thoughts, emotions and experiences. Also, address them with empathy and kindness.

Avoid Stressed Out Parents: As a parent, it’s natural that you would want to socialise with parents of other aspirants. However, try to avoid those parents who are overly anxious. Stress can be contagious and you can often absorb secondary stress, and pass it on to your kids.

Offering Practical Support: You can help your kid gather the necessary VCE student resources like notes, textbooks or previous exam papers for practice. Listen to their concerns and offer guidance to help them find solutions. You can also assist in building a study schedule, prioritising tasks and managing time.

Be Encouraging: Positive reinforcements can build confidence and self-esteem. Talk to your kids about the topics they are confident about and the ones “not quite there yet”. Help them build an approach to tackle those subjects and encourage them to stay positive.