5 Tips for the VCE English exam from a 50-scorer

01 Have a good understanding of the texts you are taking into the exam. Ensure you have memorised a diverse amount of evidence.

The tough part of VCE English is that you have very few ideas on what topics will be covered on the exam, in both Section A and Section B.

You know it will have something to do with the texts you’ve studied, but beyond that you’re very much in the dark.

For that reason alone, it makes sense to memorise a wide variety of evidence, to prepare for essay topics where you might discuss more minor ideas within the text.

Before I entered Year 12 I always thought, if there are two tough topics, I’ll just pick the easier one!

But that thinking is problematic - as there have been cases in the past where there have been no easier topics.

Memorising evidence on major and minor themes, major and minor characters, all literary/film devices and key aspects of the structure of the text ensures that walking into the exam the odds are in your favour.

It means you can answer a tougher topic with a little bit more ease.

02 Practice breaking down topics that you are unfamiliar with.

Prior to the VCE English exam, my focus was spent on making sure I could break down topics that I was unfamiliar with. VCAA has a habit of throwing curve balls, even when the text may be an easier one to understand and analyse.

Take for example, this 2014 VCAA exam prompt on the film Mabo:

‘In the film Mabo, the land plays such an important role that it is like a character.’ Discuss.

You need to prepare for topics that ask you to think flexibly.

One approach to the topic above could be to consider the role land plays emotionally in the lives of characters, and to determine whether land has qualities that are similar to how characters are portrayed in the film.

Another tougher VCAA prompt might be this Medea prompt from the 2016 VCE English exam:

‘It is Jason, not Medea, who gains the audience’s sympathy.’ Do you agree?

Students studying Medea are likely to have prepared arguments for Medea being a sympathetic character, and less likely to have considered this argument in relation to Jason.

Be prepared for topics that might challenge what you know, or reverse expectations based on your prior study of a text.

03 Make sure that you have read the last few years of VCAA’s examination report.

Often times students forget or do not prioritise reading past examination reports.

Past examination reports provide unique insight into the way examiners interpret criteria. They also show us past mistakes that students from previous years have made.

VCAA examination reports often also include sample pieces, which can expand your understanding of different approaches to take towards each section of the exam.

In the 2014 English examination report, for example, the sample high scoring language analysis piece dissects the title of the article.

That was my first time seeing a title analysed as part of a language analysis piece, and I knew that it was a great idea for me to incorporate analysis of title as a structural feature in future essays that I would write.

04 Ensure that you have sought out a wide variety of feedback on your writing.

I really do encourage students to look towards having different teachers mark their work.

Every teacher has different strengths and weaknesses, which means there may be certain limitations in the type of feedback a teacher chooses to give your essays.

Touching base with other teachers, or ensuring that you work has been cross marked, ensures that you receive a well rounded perspective of your weaknesses from multiple sources.

For example, my teacher placed a strong emphasis on clarity which was really beneficial for my essays. I had another teacher, however, who had an excellent understanding of the role of structure in a body paragraph. I had a third teacher who was really excellent with sophisticated word choices when it came to essays. I did my best to learn from all three.

05 Don’t stress too much! Do your best to keep calm.

The VCE English exam is really stressful.

Not only is selecting one English subject mandatory, it also contributes to the top four subjects in your ATAR.

Keeping calm while taking your exam is key - and I do encourage students to actively take steps to manage their stress levels prior to their exam.

This might include making sure that you have sat at least one practice exams under strict timed conditions, to make sure you are accustomed to how the exam will feel like.

This might also include taking breaks while studying, switching up your revision tactics and taking time for mental health. Prioritising mental and emotional wellbeing puts you in a position to succeed academically.