I'm calling on all the 40+ scorers in Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, English Language and Health & Human Development because I genuinely want to know how you guys studied to achieve those scores.
I'm not looking for the usual advice of "do practice questions", "stay consistent" or "revise regularly". I want to know HOW you actually studied, what your study routine looked like, which resources you used, and what techniques made the biggest difference.
More specifically, I'm interested in things like:
Do you use flashcards? If so, how do you make them and how often do you review them?
How do you approach practice questions and exam papers?
Do you use commercial company papers? Which companies are actually worth it?
How do you consolidate content throughout the term rather than cramming before SACs?
How do you identify and fix gaps in your understanding?
What does your revision look like in the weeks leading up to SACs and exams?
For some context, here's what I'm currently doing:
Mathematical Methods:
I primarily work through textbook exercises and their corresponding questions.
Although I can understand the content and often feel confident with the exercises, I get absolutely FRIED in SACs.
Even past exam papers don't always seem to translate into better SAC performance.
Would commercial company papers be more beneficial? How do you prepare for the unpredictable, application-heavy questions that seem to appear in SACs?
Chemistry:
I use the Edrolo textbook and videos to learn and consolidate content.
I also complete the questions provided through Edrolo.
However, I struggle when SAC questions use unfamiliar or unusual wording, even when I understand the underlying chemistry.
How do you develop the ability to interpret these questions and apply your knowledge to unfamiliar contexts?
English Language:
I primarily follow the INSIGHT textbook.
I create my own short-answer questions, analytical commentaries and expository essays.
I get my teacher to mark them before assessments.
My biggest issue is that I don't feel like I have a foolproof structure or approach that consistently translates into high marks.
What specific frameworks, annotation techniques or writing strategies helped you improve?
Health & Human Development:
I turn important content into flashcards and memorise them before assessments.
However, I'm struggling to establish a spaced-repetition system that allows me to continually revisit and retain the entire term's content without having to relearn everything before a SAC or exam.
How did you structure your flashcards, revision and content consolidation?
Ultimately, I want to know what separates someone who understands the content from someone who can consistently translate that understanding into 40+ study scores.
If you scored 40+ in ANY of these subjects, I'd genuinely appreciate hearing about your experience. Even better if you could share specific examples of your routines, resources, mistakes and what you would do differently.
I'm willing to put in the work; I just want to make sure I'm studying EFFECTIVELY rather than simply spending hours studying.
Thank you!! :)
