Preparing for the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) exams can feel like climbing a mountain. It’s daunting, uncomfortable, and at times, even a little risky. You might feel lost in a fog of content or unsure which path will actually lead to better marks. But here’s the good news: with the right techniques and a solid plan, you can swap those thongs for sturdy hiking boots and trek your way to the summit with confidence and clarity.
WACE exams are not just about memorising facts or cramming the night before. They’re about applying knowledge, managing your time, and understanding exactly what each subject demands. Whether you're tackling English, Maths, Science, Humanities or a creative subject, every exam requires its own approach. Tailoring your study methods to suit the structure and expectations of each subject is the key to staying on track and avoiding unnecessary detours.
Here’s how to personalise your study strategies for each subject area so you can maximise your marks, reduce stress, and walk into your exam room feeling calm, focused, and fully prepared. You have got this.
English Study Tips: Mastering the Art of the Essay
💡 Key Tip: Treat your essay like a well-planned road trip—know your destination and the stops along the way.
-
Know Your Texts Inside Out: Re-read your novels, plays, and poems. Create character maps, theme tables, and timeline breakdowns. Summarise key quotes and practise analysing them in different contexts.
Example: If you’re studying Macbeth, create flashcards with key quotes like “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” and break down what they mean in different essay themes. -
Write, Write, Write: The best way to get better at writing is—shocker—by writing! Aim to complete at least one practice essay a week under timed conditions.
-
PEEL Your Paragraphs: Ensure each paragraph follows the PEEL structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link). Think of it as making a solid argument in a family debate—back it up with proof, explain why it matters, and bring it back to the main point.
-
Answer the Question, Not the One You Wish You Had: A common trap is regurgitating pre-prepared essays. Instead, practise adapting your knowledge to different prompts.
Mathematics Study Tips: Numbers Don’t Lie, But Careless Mistakes Do
💡Key Tip: Repetition is key—maths is a sport, and past papers are your training sessions.
-
Practise Under Exam Conditions: Set a timer and complete past papers without distractions. Then, mark yourself strictly (even small mistakes count).
Example: If you keep making errors in algebra, highlight them in red and revisit that topic specifically. -
Understand, Don’t Just Memorise: Instead of just memorising formulas, understand how and why they work. This will help you adapt them to different question types.
-
Make a ‘Mistake Journal ’: Every time you make a mistake, write it down and note why it happened. This will stop you from making the same errors repeatedly.
-
Use Your Calculator Wisely: Make sure you know all the functions on your calculator. No one wants to waste time trying to remember how to use the regression function mid-exam.
Science Subjects: Be the Scientist, Not Just the Student
💡Key Tip: Science isn’t just about memorising facts—it’s about understanding concepts and applying them.
Physics & Chemistry:
-
Create Concept Maps: Connect different ideas together. If you can explain how Newton’s Laws apply to a rollercoaster at Adventure World, you’re on the right track.
-
Do Lots of Practice Questions: Science exams often repeat question styles. The more you practise, the less likely you’ll be surprised on exam day.
-
Know Your Equations & When To Use Them: Write a cheat sheet (not for the exam, obviously!) with all key formulas and scenarios they apply to.
-
Master the Short-Answer Question: Be concise but detailed—think of it like explaining a concept to a younger sibling who has a million follow-up questions.
Biology:
-
Use Mnemonics & Memory Tricks: For example, use ‘King Phillip Came Over For Good Soup’ to remember Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
-
Draw Diagrams: If you can sketch out the Krebs cycle from memory, you’ll have a much better understanding than if you just try to remember words on a page.
-
Teach Someone Else: If you can explain homeostasis to your dog (or a very patient friend), you’re ready for the exam.
Humanities & Social Sciences: Making Information Stick
💡Key Tip: Turn dry facts into engaging stories—history and politics are just real-life soap operas.
-
Create Timelines: Whether it’s key historical events or economic trends, mapping things out visually helps retain information.
-
Use Acronyms for Case Studies: If you’re studying a specific government policy, break it down into key points using an acronym so you can recall details easily.
-
Debate the Concepts: Have discussions with friends or family. Argue why one historical event was more significant than another.
-
Link Events to Modern Examples: Relate past events to current news—this makes them more memorable and can help with extended responses.
The Ultimate WACE Study Plan: A Case Study
Meet Jamie, a Year 12 student aiming for top marks. Here’s how they structured their study:
|
Final Tips for Exam Success
-
Start Early, Stay Consistent: Last-minute cramming is about as effective as trying to swim after eating a full Christmas lunch.
-
Simulate Exam Conditions: Train your brain to focus under timed conditions so you’re not thrown off on the big day.
-
Balance is Key: Make time for relaxation, hobbies, and socialising—burnout won’t help your grades.
-
Stay Positive: Confidence and a good mindset can make a huge difference in performance.
With these subject-specific strategies, you’ll be well on your way to conquering your WACE exams. Good luck—and remember, you’ve got this!
Need extra guidance? If you found these tips helpful, I’d personally love to support you as your tutor this year. You can view my profile on Learnmate and contact me to discuss tutoring options. Alternatively, you can explore the profiles of other WACE tutors on Learnmate here.
