The HSC syllabus dot points are a comprehensive checklist for success. You will be on your way to an outstanding result if you have a thorough understanding of your HSC syllabus dot points.
Every content-heavy HSC subject has a list of dot points for every unit. These dot point lists are found within the syllabus documents on the NESA website and are often used to structure the chapters of your textbooks.
The syllabus dot points are also the lists from which the HSC Exams are written. If it’s mentioned in the dot points, they can ask you about it. Conversely, if it’s not in the dot points, it won’t be in the exam.
How to Use the HSC Syllabus Dot Points to Your Advantage
1. Keep Them Close
Get a copy from the syllabus yourself or ask your teacher for a copy. Then place these syllabus dot points front and centre in your notes. This is the foundational document from which the HSC examination will be written, and you are expected to know everything in this list if you want to achieve a Band 6, so keep them close.
2. Use Them as a Framework for Your Notes
Structure your notes around each and every dot point, in order. Check off or highlight each dot point as you add it to your notes and ensure that each one is covered. Write out the syllabus dot points in full as subheadings. Whether handwritten or digital, your notes should include any relevant information alongside images and diagrams. Bringing your own voice and sense of humour to your notes can help keep revision light, though you should also include appropriately sophisticated language as needed.
3. Notice the Verb
The verb (word indicating action) at the start of each dot point is crucial. It will not only shape what you write about but how much detail you allocate to each dot point. An identify dot point will only require you to define and name, and so your notes under this section will be more succinct than those for evaluate dot points, which prompt you to make a judgement based on outlined criteria. See the Glossary of Key Words for more definitions of common verbs and become familiar with them, as they will pop up in the exam too.
4. Add to Your Dot Point Notes Consistently
Despite the best of intentions, your class may not cover every syllabus dot point during the year or skim over some so quickly that you don't even notice. Ensure you are the slow and steady tortoise that wins the race by consistently adding to your dot points as you work through the content in class. This will ensure you don't overlook any dot points and have a continuous opportunity to revise classwork. If your notes for a dot point don't seem to make sense to you, check in with a trusted teacher or tutor to gain clarity.
5. Revise the Dot Point Content in Different Forms
Once you have written out a substantial collection of notes, you can revise the content in various ways and forms:
- Challenge yourself to remember the content straight from the syllabus dot point list
- Go through the list with a classmate or tutor and talk through the challenging verb dot points, such as evaluate and explain
- Create flashcards and quizzes using dot point language
- Complete past papers on the NESA website or in an Excel Success One HSC book (or the like) to engage with the potential questions that could emerge fro the content, extending upon your dot point notes if you've missed anything that pops up
- Work through past HSC questions with a tutor to ensure you remain motivated and your answers are on point
- Generalise your fresh knowledge to the world around you. Apply your new knowledge of inflation to the current price of a product, observe a plant's response to a pathogen in your own garden or consider how your body physiology is adapting to your daily walk.
Conclusion
The syllabus dot points should be a close companion in your HSC journey. Comb through them one by one, understand their verbs and check them off in your own personal collection of notes. Check in with a tutor to ensure you can apply them to practice questions effectively and understand their content on a deeper level. Your comprehensive knowledge of the syllabus dot points will give confidence and competence as you cross the finish line.
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