Exam Preparation

Preparation is of the utmost importance if you want to succeed in exams

You need a well-organised revision timetable

Regular study sessions are much better than cramming the night before

Start early

How do I get ready for exams?

Know your learning style ◦ Use revision strategies which are suited to your

preferred learning style – summaries, dot points, topic cards, posters, etc

When is your concentration level at its peak – morning or evening?◦ Schedule study sessions for then if you can

If you can’t answer either of these questions it is worth spending some time on finding the answers◦ Be aware of when your concentration is at its best◦ There are numerous online learning styles tests – do

one

Ensure that you ask for time off work or organise a replacement staff member to do your shifts well in advance of the exam period

Prioritise your commitments so that exams take precedence during this time

Make sure that your family understands that you’d like their support to do well in your exams

Other Commitments

Familiarise yourself with the structure of the exam

How many sections are there?

How many questions do you have to answer in each section?

Read the instructions carefully

Exam Format

Take notice of the criteria to be assessed for each question

Refer to the standards of evidence for each criterion

These tell you what the examiners are looking for

Criteria Assessed

Three sections: ◦ Part A - Essay◦ Part B & C - Hypothetical

You must answer one question from each section

3 hours plus 15 mins reading time

Australia in Asia and the Pacific

Learn the information – make it meaningful to you

Be active with your revision – pay attention

Look at practice hypotheticals done in class

What does the feedback suggest you need to work on?

Revision means looking again but with your brain switched on

There will be a question for every module studied around the state:◦ Geography◦ Tourism◦ History◦ Economics◦ Societies, etc

Answer the question on Tourism or Geography – you have not been prepared to answer any other question even if you think you can!

Section A - Essay

In this section you will again find questions from all the modules studied statewide:◦ Geography◦ Tourism◦ History◦ Economics◦ Societies, etc

You have been prepared to answer on Tourism or Geography

Section B – HypotheticalShort Answer Questions

In this section you will again find questions from all the modules studied statewide:◦ Overseas Aid◦ Natural Resource Use◦ Human Rights◦ Multinational companies and Foreign Investment

You have been prepared to answer on Overseas Aid

Section C – HypotheticalReport

Section AEssay

• Make a list of all the things that contribute to Tourism growth including local, regional and global

• Look at why people travel

• Look at what trends there are• Volunteer Tourism• Ecotourism• Adventure Tourism, etc…

Revise - Tourism

• Be familiar with the impacts FROM tourism• Economic• Cultural• Social• Environmental

• Remember to look at positive and negative impacts

• Use relevant examples (AAP, not elsewhere)• Use statistics• Ensure answers are balanced between all parts

of the question• Don’t rely on general answers – use specifics

Physical Geography Theme

Natural disasters Flooding and Tsunami Geological processes – what causes it Specific examples – what happened, what

was the relief response Examples – different development levels

and sub-regions

Revise - Geography

Human Geography Theme

Population Growth and Decline Density and Distribution Ageing population Poverty Religion Family Planning (or lack of) Rural – urban drift etc

Examples from different development levels and different sub-regions

• Ensure that you write in a clear essay format:

• Have an introduction, body and conclusion.

• Write in third person, not first person (Don’t use “I”).

• DON’T use headings.

• Avoid emotive, poetic, sensationalised descriptions should be avoided; for example ‘astonishing’, ‘amazing’, ‘alarming’, the ‘famous Mt Fuji’, the ‘noble mountains’, the ‘mighty Murray’.

Essay Structure

Don’t use ‘etc’ in your writing

Ensure your answer is balanced. Don’t concentrate on only one half of the question.

4 – Analyse and evaluate ideas and information

6 – Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of events and ideas that shape the region

Criterion 4 & 6

Section BHypothetical

Short Answer Questions

Tourism: Make a list of why tourism rates change -

reasons for growth/decline Look at the impacts

Geography Impact of physical geography theme Impact of human geography theme

Part A & B

Make sure you are answering the question!!!

Keep answers A and B separate rather than one extended response.

Be familiar with the sub regions (what are the surrounding countries)

Know the basic geography of the subregions in order to describe your hypothetical country

Give the country a name (not Country A) Provide an introduction to the country Speak about the country as if it is real and

these things are happening now. Use the data from the blurb but relate it to

the question

You Should:

The region determines what types of tourism/geography issues will be relevant and what difficulties may be faced

If you talk about historical factors as a reason link them back to your country.

Including factors that limit growth (tourism) is also worth considering – Financial crisis, Swine flu, political unrest, overtaxing, etc.

Remember

5 – Apply problem solving skills

6 – Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of events and ideas that shape the region

7 – Apply knowledge in a hypothetical context

Criterion 5, 6 & 7

Section CHypothetical

Report

Make sure this is in report format.

The use of headings and subheadings and dot points is vital in order to do well.

Clearly label parts A and B.

If you do not write in this format you will be penalised.

Overseas Aid

Give a title – Report on overseas Aid to Country A

Say which organization it is for

Say who the author of the report is (NOT your own name!) and the date completed

Provide a brief introduction to the country

It would be unusual for a country to receive aid from just one source

Report Format

4 – Analyse and evaluate ideas and information

5 – Apply problem solving skills

7 – Apply knowledge in a hypothetical context

Criterion 4, 5 & 7

Look at past papers Look at examiners reports Look at work done in class – act on the

feedback Revisit the AusAid website Learn the report headings Visit smarttraveller.com.au Revise regions and countries:

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Asian_Geography.htm

Use your Case Study Report for Overseas Aid

To Prepare

Exercise

Sleep

Nutrition

Self Care

Double and triple check your exam timetable – know exactly when your exams are running and how long they go for

Know how much time you have for the exam and allocate it accordingly

Build in time for planning, writing and proof reading

Don’t go over time on a question!

Time Management

Never leave before the time is up – you haven’t done enough

Even if you have a mental block, stay there – the information may come back to you

Exam supervisors record the time you leave on your exam paper

Use the 15 minutes Reading Time to analyse the questions, read the stimuli and plan your answers

Make a list of dot points on the question paper – but do not write on the answer paper or it will be taken away from you

Make sure you answer each part of the question

Plan

Do not prepare an essay – you have no idea what the question will ask

It is much more effective to learn a list of flexible dot points and accompanying evidence

These points can be adapted to any question asked

Write in pen

Write on one side of the paper only

Rule a margin if the page doesn’t have one

Write formally, not colloquially Avoid abbreviations and contractions

Keep your writing legible – if it can’t be read it can’t be marked

General Tips

Proofread your answers

Make sure you have answered the whole question

Make sure you have filled in the booklet correctly – name, numbered answers, teacher, etc

Finishing Off

Preparation – mind maps, summaries, mnemonics

Practice – past questions

Timing – allocate time for each section and don’t go over

Sleep – 9-10 hours per night is needed

Summary

An exam is a chance to show your skill

Remember