The ATAR€¦ · your VCE results that is issued by VCAA. The ATAR is calculated based on up to six...

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The ATAR What is the ATAR?

The ATAR is a ranking that shows your achievement relative to another student. The highest

ATAR that one can achieve is 99.95. If you get an ATAR of 70 it means you have done

better than 70% of students in that year.

How is the ATAR calculated?

The ATAR is calculated by VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre) and is derived from

your VCE results that is issued by VCAA.

The ATAR is calculated based on up to six scaled VCE study scores. Study scores are

scaled up or down by VTAC according to the performance of students in a study in a

particular year.

The ATAR is calculated from an aggregate, by adding together:

1. Highest scaled study score in one of the English (Mainstream English, Literature, English Language) studies;

2. Highest scaled study scores for three additional studies, and;

3. 10% of the scaled study scores for the fifth and sixth studies.

Example:

Source: http://www.vtac.edu.au/who/meeting-prerequisites/choosing-studies



Why are subjects scaled? Some subjects are harder than others and there are varying levels of competition in different

subjects. Scaling allows for these situations to be taken into account.

Refer to http://www.vtac.edu.au/results-offers/atar-explained/scaling.html for more

information about how scaling works.

Why is the ATAR important? Is it important?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. It is obvious that the ATAR is used by

universities to admit students, we can try to argue that universities need to look beyond the

ATAR in admitting students, however this is the system that we have in place now, and so

we need to work with it.

ATARs for university courses are generally determined based on the popularity of the

courses i.e. demand and supply. The more demand there is for a course the higher the

ATAR cut-off will be for that course.

However, in saying that the ATAR is a pre-requisite to getting into university, don’t let the

cut-off ATAR score for a particular course put you off. Universities nowadays recognise that

not everyone can get a high ATAR, and so they have put in place various pathways

schemes which will allow you to study your dream course; it may take longer but you will be

able to.

• See pathways section (p.13 – 16) for more discussion on pathways into university.

One thing that is important to know is when you get into university, nobody cares about your

ATAR. Once you are in that is it; no one is going to quiz you on what ATAR you got as once

you get to university everyone is on the same level playing field.

Likewise, once you enter into the workforce after completing university, it would be rare to

find an employer who would be interested in what ATAR you got. They will be more

interested in what you did in university and what skills you can bring to them. You will still

need to work hard in university to get good marks that will give you a better chance of

securing employment after you graduate from university.



Common ATAR myths:

1. Doing subjects that scale a lot e.g. VCE Specialist Maths will ensure that I get a high ATAR:

This is incorrect. Picking your subjects purely based on how much it scales by will not

guarantee you a high ATAR. In fact, it can work against you. Unless you are really good at

Specialist Maths then you won’t end up with a good study score which may affect your

overall ATAR. Your best choice is to choose subjects that you are good at or enjoy as this

will give you a better chance of getting a better study score, and hence better ATAR.

2. You need to study super hard to get a good ATAR:

Yes and no. You do need to ensure that you work consistently throughout the year and

ensure that you keep up to date with the content and do regular revision. However, you don’t

need to be studying 24 hours 7 days a week – that would be insane! You can still do things

that you like e.g. play sport or music but you want to make sure that you don’t let those

things overshadow your studies.

It all comes down to balancing your commitments and prioritisation. If you are organised and

try to plan ahead then there should be no reason why you cannot do other things and do

well in your VCE.

3. The higher the ATAR for a course is, the better it is:

There is no evidence to support this and as mentioned previously the ATAR for certain

courses are the way they are because the university admission system is a demand-driven

system. The more demand for a course the higher the ATAR will be for that course.

4. You’re wasting your ATAR if you don’t go into a course that is commensurate with your ATAR:

This is not really the case. You cannot really waste your ATAR if you go into a course that

has a lower ATAR than what you got. If you got an ATAR to be able to study law, but you

don’t see yourself working as a lawyer then there is no point in going to study law. It is a

waste of time and money. Do what you are passionate about! It is true that the higher the

ATAR you get the more doors it will open up for you, but if you are not passionate about

something then you won’t do well in it – that is just a fact!

• Likewise, don’t pick a course that you think will pay well. Your decision should not

purely be based on money.



Goal setting:

Setting goals is a great well to help motivate you to study hard to ensure that you get the

ATAR that you want.

In the table below list out the subjects that you will be doing and next to it write down the

study score that you aim to get (be realistic). Likewise, next to that column write down 2-3

points on what you can do from now and until the exams to help you achieve that study

score. An example has been provided.

Subject Desired Study Score

Steps to take to achieve that study score

Chemistry 40 • Keep up to date with coursework • Do regular revision

• Ask for help when needed



In this section, we want you to write down the ATAR that you want to achieve, and then

below it write down a few things on what you can do to achieve that ATAR.

MY ATAR GOAL FOR THIS YEAR!

I WILL ACHIEVE AN ATAR

OF

________________

How will I get that? (List out 3-4 points on what you will do throughout the year to get that ATAR)



ATAR Hacks – Tips to help you get the ATAR that you want

1. Consistent Revision – spending 10-15 minutes a day to revise content will help you

keep up to date with what you have learnt.

2. Sticky Notes – using sticky notes to write down key points and sticking them down

in a place where you will constantly see them. This will help you remember key

points.

3. Make notes as you go – don’t leave making your notes until the very end. Make

your notes as you are studying the topic.

4. Regular exercise – get some exercise into your daily routine, whether that be going

to the gym, going for a walk/run or playing a sport you enjoy. Exercise will help get

your mind off the ‘books’ and give you a chance to relax.

5. Study groups – get together with some friends and study together. You can quiz

each other and learn from each other. However, ensure that these sessions are

productive, and not sessions where you talk about what you are going to be on the

weekend!

6. Ask for help from teachers – if you are struggling with a topic ask your teacher for

help. That is why they are there!

7. Practice Exams – start doing practice exams early especially by the end of Unit 3.

You will be able to do questions that cover half of the course. Remember that your

end of year exam will test both Unit 3 and 4 knowledge, so keeping your Unit 3

knowledge fresh in your mind is crucial, and the best way to do so is via attempting

practice exams.

8. Keep up to date with your work – ensure that you complete all set tasks as this will

not only help you consolidate your knowledge but also help prepare you for SACs

and exams. The work set out by your teacher is going to help you.

9. Prepare for your SACs – SACs play a crucial role in your study score and so

ensuring that you do your best in SACs will help you get a better study score and

hence better ATAR.

10. Sleep – sleep is very important in ensuring that you give your body a chance to

recover. You need at least 8 hours of sleep each day. If you don’t get enough sleep

then you will feel tired all day and this won’t allow you to work productively

throughout the day.



Now it’s your turn. Pick three of the hacks from the list on previous page that you

think you can implement in your study, and next to it write down how you would use that hack.

Hack Implementation



Pathways:

We talked previously about how the ATAR is used to get into university. However, you may

not get the ATAR required to get into your dream course, but that doesn’t mean your journey

ends there. Universities have various pathways that will allow you to study your dream

course, so don’t be disheartened when you don’t get the ATAR that you wanted.

We are going to use Monash University as an example of a pathway scheme. Other

universities have similar schemes as well, and you should be able to easily find these on

their websites.

The number one tip we can offer you on university entry pathways is to ask the university

themselves. Go to their Open Days and ask people from the admission’s team your

questions on pathways into university.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on the research done by the authors. If you want to find out more about the pathways into Monash University you will need to contact the relevant person at the university for more information. The author does not guarantee the accuracy of the information presented here. For up to date information

visit the Monash University website. Pathways into Monash University:

Monash University has a number of pathways into various courses that are designed for

people who did not get the ATAR they needed to get into their desired course.

Diploma of Tertiary Studies:

The Diploma of Tertiary Studies or DoTS is a way to get into Monash to study business,

business administration, education or nursing if you didn’t get the ATAR you needed. It is a

one year course at Monash Peninsula campus.1

Diploma of Higher Education

This course is for those who have completed Year 12, but did not meet the entry

requirements for their course.2

1Informationobtainedfrom:https://www.monash.edu/study/courses/entry-pathways-domestic2Asabove[1]



Pathways to Law

This is a new pathway into Monash law for students who have missed the clearly-in ATAR

for law. It is only available to those who identify as an Indigenous Australian, live in a low

socio-economic area or have experienced financial hardship you could be eligible.3

Monash Guarantee and SEAS:

The Monash Guarantee can get you into a Monash course even if you don’t reach the

course’s clearly-in ATAR.4

You could be eligible for the Monash Guarantee if you:

• have experienced financial disadvantage

• live in a low socio-economic area

• are an Indigenous Australian

• attend a Monash list under-represented school.

Go to this link for more information on the Monash Guarantee:

https://www.monash.edu/study/how-to-apply/entry-schemes/the-monash-guarantee

SEAS adjust your ATAR in recognition of circumstances that may have affected your

education. This gives you a better chance of getting an offer for the course you want.

You’ll receive additional points depending on the severity of your circumstances. The points

are added to your combined study scores and your ATAR is recalculated.5

Go to this link for more information on SEAS:

https://www.monash.edu/study/how-to-apply/entry-schemes/special-entry-access-scheme

3Asabove[1]4Informationobtainedfrom:https://www.monash.edu/study/how-to-apply/entry-schemes?utm_campaign=seas_students_2016_web&utm_source=study.monash_pathways_promo&utm_medium=banner5Asabove[5]



Internal and External Transfers:

It is generally possible to transfer either from one course to another within Monash

University or transfer from another university into Monash. Whether they will accept you

depends on a number of things e.g. your academic results, whether there is any space to

accommodate you, etc.

The process of transfer is dependent on each faculty within the university, and so if you are

interested in this option then you will need to speak to the relevant people at the university.

Internal Transfer = transferring from one course to another within the university. E.g.

Transfer from Arts to Law. Generally, you would have been accepted into one course but

you want to move into another course at the same university.

External Transfer = transferring from one university to another. E.g. from Deakin University

to University of Melbourne.

Takeaway message:

The main takeaway message here is that there are various pathways into university if you

didn’t get the ATAR needed to get into the course straight from high school. Each university

sets its pathway schemes, and you will need to talk to people at the relevant university to

see how their pathways work.

Other university pathway schemes: Deakin University:

• http://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/entry-pathways

La Trobe University: • http://www.latrobe.edu.au/study/undergrad/how-to-apply/pathways

Australian Catholic University: • http://www.acu.edu.au/study_at_acu/pathways_And_entry_schemes/year_12_stude

nt_entry

Victoria University: • https://www.vu.edu.au/study-at-vu/courses/pathways-to-vu

University of Melbourne:

• https://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/admissions/entry-requirements/undergraduate-

domestic



RMIT University:

• https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/applying-to-rmit/local-student-

applications/pathways

Swinburne University: • https://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/degrees/pathways/

Federation University: • http://federation.edu.au/future-students/study-at-feduni/which-course/pathways



Effective Study Techniques There is no one way to study and if you are comfortable with the technique that you have

adopted to study, then by all means keep doing that. However, this section will go through

some of the ways you can study effectively. This is only a brief overview and relevant links to

websites will be included (where possible) that will provide you with more information.

Study Space:

Believe it or not but the place where you study

can have an impact on how you study. Here

are some tips on how to set up an effective

study space.

1. Tables and chairs – ensure that you

have a good table and chair. Find a

table that is not too high nor too low,

but is at a height that you will be

comfortable in. Likewise, find a chair

that is not only comfortable (good

padding) but also has good back

support, because you don’t want to end

up with a sore back after sitting for a

period of time.

2. Posture – ensure that you adopt a good

posture when you are sitting on your

chair. Slouching forward while you are

sitting will strain both your back and

neck and you will end up being really sore.

3. Stand up periodically – sitting has been dubbed the new ‘smoking’ in the sense that

sitting for long periods of time can do harm to your body. Make sure that you get up

every now and again. You could set yourself a timer for 1 hour and when it goes off

you can stand up for 10-15 minutes.

• Check out this article for more on this issue: https://theconversation.com/health-check-sitting-versus-standing-30145

4. Lighting – ensure that you have adequate lighting coming through to you when you

are studying in your space. You want to ensure that you have enough natural light

coming through during the day, and artificial light during the night. Bad lighting will

give you eye strains, and this will decrease your ability to study effectively.

Image from:

https://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/

09022011-straight-a-study-spaces-spell-

homework-success/



5. Equipment – make sure that all your equipment i.e. stationary, paper etc. are readily

available to you on your desk or in your drawers.

6. Organisation – keep your desk organised so that you can see where things are and

are able to get to them easily without having to search frantically for the thing you

need. Officeworks has a variety of desk organiser equipment which will help you

clean up your desk if it isn’t already. (Back to school sales are the best time to get

this equipment!)

7. Study Timetable – stick up a study timetable on the wall where your desk is, to help

you study and keep on task. (Have a look at the 2018 Study Planner document on p.32 for a sample study timetable)

8. Remove distractions – don’t have things near you that will distract you e.g. your

phone. Keep them in another room!

9. Avoid junk food – avoid eating junk food whilst you are studying at your desk. If you

must eat then consider some healthier alternatives e.g. fruit, nuts, yoghurt etc. Junk

food does not provide your brain with the necessary nutrients it needs to work

properly.

10. Personalise your study space – this is your space for you to study. Make it yours!

Put things that makes you happy and will motivate you to study.

Check out the following websites for more information of study spaces: • https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Study-Space • http://www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/blogs/college-life/study-environment-

tips/

Consider also switching up where you study as well. Studying in different environment can

also help you be more productive. However, make sure that you choose a place that is

relatively quiet.

Other places where you can study include:

• School Library

• Senior School Centres at your school (if you school has one)

• Local Public Libraries



Making Notes:

Notes are an inherent part of the VCE culture, and is something which

all students should aim to make during their VCE. However, there are

effective and ineffective ways of making notes, and in this section, we

are going to cover some of the ways you can make your notes.

Again, these are just suggestions for you and there is no one way to

make notes.

• You want to summarise and not repeat – in your notes you want to summarise the

key points from a particular topic and not just copy out what is already in the textbook

or what was said by your teacher/tutor.

• Simplicity – you want your notes to be simple and to the point.

• Make your notes throughout the year – don’t wait until the end of the year to make

your notes. Get into the habit of summarising key content throughout the year as this

will help you with your exam revision. Likewise, it will also help you with your SAC

revision as making your notes will give you an opportunity to go over what you have

learnt, and fill in any gaps in your knowledge of the particular topic.

• Use colour – have colour in your notes. Use them to highlight key points.

• Typed or handwritten notes? – this is the age-old debate: should you type up your

notes or hand-write them? There is no one clear answer, and so the tip here is to do

what is best and comfortable for you. If you prefer to type up your notes then go for it

or if you want to hand write them then go for it.

• Buying notes – there are companies such as LearnMate that sell notes written by

tutors. The advice here is not to encourage you not to buy these notes, as they are

another reference for you: however, you should not rely solely on these notes for

your studies. Making your own notes will personalise them and this will help you in

remembering the content, as the notes have been written by you. You can use other

people’s notes to incorporate into your own notes, but don’t just rely on them on their

own.

• Use study design dot points as headings – if you are stuck on a way to structure

your notes, use the dot points in the key knowledge section of the study design for

your relevant subject as your headings. Your exam will be based on what is listed on

the study design, and this is a good way to ensure that you learn everything that you

need for the exam.



The following links give you some more tips on taking notes in class and making notes:

Ø https://www.wits.ac.za/ccdu/academic-skills/note-taking-and-note-making/ Ø http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/studyskills/studyskills/intronotemaking.html Ø https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/study/notes

Revising VCE content:

There is no doubt that in some subjects there is a lot of content to learn and given that there

are no longer mid-year exams, you have to be familiar with a whole year’s worth of content,

and be prepared for any questions that examiners could ask you. Topics can be pulled from

any area of study so you need to be prepared. Other than making effective notes, there are

some other ways to revise the content that you have learnt.

1. Flashcards – flashcards are a good way to help you

learn content especially definitions. You can buy

flashcards from Officeworks or make your own. You

could also make online flashcards on websites such as

Quizlet (saves paper!)

Ø https://quizlet.com/en-gb

2. Consistent revision – spending 10-15 minutes go through what you have learnt will

also help with your learning and understanding. It will ensure that your knowledge of

the topic is fresh in your mind.

3. Sticky notes – if you are having trouble

remembering certain concepts write them

down on a sticky note (can be purchased

from Officeworks) and stick them on a wall

where you will constantly see them.

4. Mind maps – if you are a visual learner

then mind maps may help you with your

revision. You can draw out a mind map of

the key concepts for a particular topic. You

can do this by hand or even online!

5. Use study guides – there are plenty of

study guides out there that summarise key

concepts. If you are having trouble

understanding a particular topic, these

guides will offer you a starting point. They provide you with the foundations that you

need to go further.

Image from:

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/work/how-to-

mind-map-in-three-small-steps.html



6. Practice, practice, practice – instead of just sitting there and reading your notes or

the textbook start attempting some practice questions that will force you to apply

what you have learnt. There are plenty of questions out there that have been written

specifically for you to use and apply your knowledge.

7. Mnemonics – this is a memory technique that helps with information, e.g. in

Chemistry to remember whether oxidation or reduction is a gain or loss of electrons

we could use the mnemonic OIL RIG where OIL = oxidation is loss (of electrons) and

RIG = reduction is gain (of electrons).

• Another common mnemonic is the use of the knuckles to remember the

months of the year.

Have a look also at our ‘Exam preparation tips’ section (p. 41 – 43) at the end of this

packet of notes. There may be some overlap, but they are tailored towards exam

preparation.

These are just some of the ways you can help yourself learn the content for the particular

subject you are undertaking. There are many more other ways to learn content and this list

is by no means exhaustive.

Ineffective study techniques:

People tend to focus on effective study techniques and not so much on ineffective study

techniques. In this section, we are going to look at some ineffective study techniques and

some of the ways we can correct this.

1. Studying with friends – studying with friends is not always a bad idea, however it is

a bad idea when all you end up doing is talking about Netflix and other things and are

not staying focused on the task in front of you. There are a few ways to overcome

this dilemma:

• Set ground rules before you begin studying

• Have regular breaks during your study session where you can talk about

whatever you want

2. Studying for hours – sitting down for hours at your desk studying is not a good way

to approach your work. Not only is it a health risk (sitting down too long), but it is also

counterproductive, because your mind is so overwhelmed with work. Take regular

breaks where you go do something other than study e.g. check Facebook (don’t do it

for too long!) or go for a brief walk.

3. Music – depending on the type of person you are, you may or may not work well

listening to music or don’t. This is a personal preference. Some people find classical

music soothing to help them learn.



4. Studying in front of a TV or with your phone nearby – these are distractions and

will stop you from working productively. Study in a place where you are away from

the TV, and keep your phone in another room. You can go check it when you are on

your study break.

5. Multitasking – we think we can do more than one thing at the same time but in

reality, this is counterproductive. The reason is that not only will you be learning

things only on a superficial level, but you will overwhelm yourself because of all the

work you have to do and this will make you not want to study. Do things one at a time

and start with the stuff you hate doing first, that way you can get it over and done

with and won’t have to worry about it again.

6. Sacrificing sleep to study – many students do this

because they think it is good. Yes, your bodies may

tell you that you can stay up until 3am, but in fact

your body needs to recharge to be fully functional

the next day. It is better to get up early the next

morning to finish off any work, rather than do an

‘pull an all-nighter’.

• A common reason why people pull an ‘all-nighter’ is because they have left

their studying to the last minute. Don’t leave things to the last minute, make

sure you are doing a little bit each day!

7. Energy drinks and junk food – VCE is a stressful time and

there is a lot of work to do. Because of this people tend to turn to

energy drinks to allow them to stay awake or eat junk food. These

products are bad for your health and it’s not worth eating them.

Choosing healthier alternatives such as fruit, muesli, nuts etc. are

much better for you, and will help with your learning as these

foods provide your body with the nutrients that it wants.

See the websites below for foods that are considered good for the brain:

• https://www.topuniversities.com/blog/brain-food-what-eat-when-revising

• https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-foods-boost-your-brainpower

• https://www.livestrong.com/article/411418-what-foods-to-eat-while-studying/



8. Memorising essays – this applies mainly to the English subjects. Memorising an A+

essay and regurgitating that essay in a SAC or exam is not going to get you high

marks, because the topic of the essay in the SAC or exam will be different. By writing

down someone else’s essay you won’t be answering the question asked of you and

hence won’t get the high mark. If you have trouble writing essays seek help from

your teacher.

9. Leaving things to the last minute – this will just cause you unnecessary panic and

stress. You should know in advance when your SACs are going to be so make sure

that you plan out your time correctly, to ensure that you have enough time to prepare

properly for them. Get in the habit of keeping a diary and USING it to write things

down.

10. Not utilising your teacher – your teacher is there to help you. If you need help then

you should ask them. They will be more than willing to help you all you need to do is

ask!

11. Cramming – cramming the night before the SAC or exam will not do you any good.

Not only will you stress yourself out, but you won’t get anything out of it. Start

studying early on.

Learning styles:

Different people learn differently, however in general it is possible to classify people into 3

categories on how they learn. These are:

1. Kinaesthetic Learners 2. Auditory Learners 3. Visual Learners

You may not necessarily fall into one of these categories – you may belong to a number of

them. But the main point is depending on the type of learner you are there are certain

techniques you can adopt to suit your preferred learning style.

Over the next few pages (p. 24 – 30) are a list of ways you can approach your learning

depending on your learning style.



THE THREE LEARNING STYLES - TIPS & ADVICE

VISUAL LEARNER TIPS & ADVICE

Visual learners are those who learn best through what they see.

They learn best when they use graphical ways to represent what they are studying. They

prefer it when information is represented in diagrams or graphs.

Visual Learner Characteristics:

• loves pictures and diagrams.

• is good at reading maps and charts.

• create strong pictures in their minds when they read.

• like bright colours (and fashions).

• may have to think for a bit to process a speech or lecture.

Study Tips for Visual Learners

Visual Learners should try to make use of diagrams and charts while they study. This is

becoming easier as there is now so much educational material put in these formats.

Image from:

http://theeducationinsider.org/whi

ch-learning-style-are-you/



1. Copy down all the diagrams you can

If a teacher draws a diagram on the whiteboard – copy it down.

It wouldn’t even be too much to ask a teacher to draw their own version of a diagram for you.

The more diagrams you can get your hands on the better.

2. Get good textbooks

If you can, make sure that you have textbooks that use lots of diagrams and visuals. These

types of good resources will significantly increase a Visual Learners studying ability.

3. Watch videos

Videos are great resources for Visual Learners, which is why it’s fantastic that there are now

so many freely available educational videos online.

Students don’t seem to mind sitting down and watching a video. This is something that can

be done during their study periods or while studying at home.

YouTube is great website that has hundreds of educational videos. But be careful – it’s also

one of the most powerful procrastination tools in the world!

4. Use highlighters

Visual Learners love using highlighters. They make things bright and colourful while making

the important bits stand out.

When making their own notes they should develop their own highlighting system.

Consistently highlighting certain types of facts in predefined colours will help Visual Learners

sort out where facts sit in their heads.

5. Use flash cards

While flash cards are a fantastic learning technique for Kinaesthetic Learners, they can also

be a great way for Visual Learners to study.

They are particularly effective if used with diagrams or charts.



AUDITORY LEARNER TIPS & ADVICE

As the name suggests, Auditory learners learn best while they are actively listening.

Auditory learners find conventional study practices, such as making notes directly from a

textbook, not terribly effective. They much prefer to ingest information through audio or

video clips, or by discussing a topic.

While they are not rabid note-takers in class, they are able to take in what they need simply

by listening intently.

Combine this with a tendency to want to talk, auditory learners can sometimes appear

disruptive or uninterested in class.

Auditory Learner Characteristics:

• tend to have incredible memories for past conversations (such as jokes)

• have a great memory for music and lyrics

• enjoy discussions, debates, and talking to others

• enjoy listening to music, and sing/hum/whistle to themselves

• They prefer to give oral presentations over written reports (although this also has a

lot to do with confidence!)

• may read slowly

• may have difficulty interpreting complicated graphs, maps or diagrams



Study Tips for Auditory Learners

Auditory learners should try to incorporate study techniques that have them either listening

to information and repeating it out loud.

1. Ask questions

All auditory learners should aim to ask questions during a lesson. Even a simple question

will greatly increase information retention. This way, their tutor will put an idea into words, or

paraphrase what they’ve been saying.

2. Watch videos

This is another thing that Auditory learners can do during their study periods.

YouTube is a great website that has hundreds of educational videos. But be careful – it’s

also one of the most powerful procrastination tools in the world!

3. Use word association

Word association can be a great way to learn facts and lines. Auditory learners make better

connections when facts can be repeated out loud – especially when in a memorable fashion.

4. Repeat aloud

Auditory learners can benefit from repeating information out loud to themselves. Even better

than pure repetition would be to paraphrase, or pick out the main points of what they’ve just

learnt and say it to themselves.

5. Participate in discussions

Unfortunately discussion groups at high school can be quite distracting, meaning they aren’t

a normal part of classroom life. But you can talk to your student about what they’ve learnt

today. If you don’t understand it – even better! Teaching is the best way to learn!

6. Avoid auditory distractions

While everyone is different, and some people study well with music (I know I do), Auditory

learners are incredibly susceptible to aural distraction. A bit of quiet music might put your

student in the mood – but make sure your student is sensible about it! It’s pretty easy to tell

when something is distracting.



KINESTHETIC LEARNER TIPS & ADVICE

Kinesthetic learners are natural doers. They learn best when they discover things by doing

them.

Kinesthetic learners aren’t necessarily suited to the traditional classroom. They learn best

when they are physically active, or through learning activities that involve active

participation.

Similar to Auditory Learners, Kinesthetic learners are not tremendous note-takers in class.

They can be fidgety and not enjoy sitting still for long periods of time, which sometimes

comes across as disruptive or uninterested.

Kinesthetic Learner Characteristics:

• are good with their hands. They enjoy building models and putting things together (or

breaking them!)

• are good at remembering things they’ve actually done before. E.g. cooking meals,

putting together computers, jigsaw puzzles

• enjoy active learning at school, such as PE and science experiments

• enjoy playing sport

• like adventure books and movies

• become fidgety when sitting for a long period of time

• do not tend to have great handwriting or spelling



Study Tips for Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic learners should use study techniques that take advantage of their very hands-on

brain.

1. Use flash cards

Flash cards make kinesthetic learners turn simple recall into a game. This makes them

perfect for kinesthetic learners.

Simply write a question or topic suggestion on one side of a card, and the answer or a list of

details on the other side.

2. Study in short blocks

Kinesthetic learners tend to have a relatively short attention span when they’re studying. But

this doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be doing just as much study as everyone else.

They should break their study up into shorter periods, but also take shorter breaks.

Forcing a kinesthetic learner to study for an hour at a time can be counter-productive.

Regular 5 minute breaks can often be all they need to help them study far more.

3. Use plenty of examples when writing study notes

Many main points and concepts can be demonstrated with examples. Kinesthetic learners

tend to make better associations with the examples than just the plain facts.

For example, in VCE English Language, there are key features which make up the

differences between formal and informal language. If you simply just list these without telling

the student the association with REAL LIFE examples, they won’t get it. You could explain to

them about how formal language is applied in terms and conditions documents, for example.

(The more personal or relatable to their everyday life the better)

4. Study with other people

Kinesthetic learners enjoy discussion. Talking about what they’ve learnt is often a great way

to consolidate what they’ve learnt.

This tip is suggested with caution! This is because students often use ‘study groups’ as a

way to hang out outside of school.

As a tutor, you could try and have a discussion with your student about what they’ve learnt.

Combining this with flash cards is a perfect way for tutors to contribute to their student’s

study



5. Do something while you study

Tap a pencil, squeeze a stress ball, or do something to occupy the want to do something

with their hands without becoming a distraction.

Just make sure that this doesn’t become a distraction itself!

A note about music while studying

Kinesthetic learners tend to be less distracted by music while studying than other people,

although this is a personal debate.

Your student should know what feels right for them, so let them have a play around and

figure out what conditions they need to study best.



2018 STUDY PLANNER

As part of our dedication to student success here at LearnMate Tutoring, we have

decided to prepare a simple study planner to help you with your achieving success in

2018.

Remember that as you have many SACs to complete, it’s important that you not only

plan your study schedule, but ALSO stick to it! Many students plan study schedules,

but fail to adhere to it.

To make use of this exam study planner, download and print it out - then fill it in and

put it up on the wall. Alternatively, you may choose to type it in Word.

Some tips when planning your study schedule:

1. Start off by going through all content and knowledge learnt throughout the year

FIRST. Then move onto practical application.

2. You can purchase notes from other students or independent companies, but

make sure you also make your own notes to ensure memorability of information.

3. Try to write all practice pieces and NOT type them.

4. Try to practice SACs under timed conditions, so that you can practice under

pressure. Remove all distractions.

5. Remember to STICK TO THE SCHEDULE. Of course, there will be days when

you’re not feeling well or have other commitments, so when planning keep in

mind what you can do and what is achievable based on your strengths and

weaknesses. This means don’t overfill it and then not commit to any of it!

NOTE: This is general advice and not necessarily subject-specific SAC preparation

advice. Make sure you talk to your LearnMate tutor to learn how to study effectively

for your specific subject.



STUDY PLANNER FOR ____________________

****You can use this as a template or make your own through a word document if you want more space.



SAMPLE STUDY PLANNER

STUDY PLANNER FOR JOHN SMITH

Copyright LearnMate Tutoring 2017. Please don’t share or copy without permission.

34

Stress Management and Motivational Techniques

Identifying signs of unhealthy stress:

• Feeling tired all the time

• Feeling like you’re running on adrenaline all the time

• Being forgetful

• Experiencing headaches and tension especially in the head, neck and shoulders

• Poor appetite

• No longer interested in certain activities and don’t look forward to anything

• Increased anxiety and irritability

• Increased heart rate

• Dizziness

• Blurred vision

Combatting stress with a healthy lifestyle: Physical:

• Eat healthily

• Exercise regularly

• Avoid caffeine later in the day

• Avoid drugs and excessive alcohol

• Get 8+ hours of sleep every night to keep your body rejuvenated

Mental: • Seek help and support when you need it

• Don’t let VCE overwhelm you—step back and give yourself time if you need to

• Put yourself first

• Spend time with your friends and family

• Keep doing the activities you love

• Get 8+ hours of sleep every night to keep your brain alert and memory sharp

Study/Social life balance:

Don’t just pencil in your homework in your timetable, but all the times you plan to relax, have

some downtime and do other activities too.

If you feel guilty every time you try to take a break then you’ll never be able to relax!

Unwinding and socialising =/= Procrastination


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Balance is the key! Allocating your time will give you the best of both worlds—working hard

towards an academic goal, and enjoying your year.

The activities I’m still going to enjoy and make time for in 2018 are: ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________

Meditation: Meditation is useful for

• Calming down before a SAC/exam

• Getting to sleep when your thoughts are keeping you up

• General relaxation

• Unwinding after a stressful school day/study session

• Having some alone time

Useful apps to download

• Smiling Mind

• Headspace

• The Mindfulness App

These are free from the App Store/Google Play and provide both breathing exercises and

guided meditations. All you have to do is plug in your earphones and go! It’s a great way to

end the day and banish any negative thoughts. Best of all, it’ll only take you five minutes.

Some breathing exercises to tide you over

• Simple breathing to help you calm down wherever and whenever: breathe in for 4

counts then out for 4 counts.

• To release physical tension: tighten then release each muscle group in your body at

a time, breathing if for 5 counts as you tighten, then out for 5 counts as you release.

• Calming down before a SAC or exam: place one hand on your chest and the other

on your stomach and take a deep breath. Your breath should fill your stomach, not

chest. Repeat 6 to 10 times.

Source: https://greatist.com/happiness/breathing-exercises-relax (Jordan Shakeshaft)


36

Support Services Internal:

• School counsellor

• Careers counsellor

• School health care

• Head teachers (e.g. Year 12 co-ordinator)

• Subject teachers

• Friends and family

• Study groups

External: Kid’s Helpline

• Free phone call 1800 55 1800

• Online counselling https://kidshelpline.com.au

Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation • Online counselling or find a centre near you https://www.headspace.org.au/

• Information about mental health on website too

Academic support • ATAR Notes https://atarnotes.com/

• Spark Notes http://www.sparknotes.com/

LearnMate:

• Affordable, local, one-on-one tutoring services

• Great range of tutors who achieved high scores in Year 12

• Helpful online resources

• Learnmate Blog – regular contributions from our expert tutors on various VCE topics

• Quality, detailed notes for purchase

• Skye tutoring available

Contact us: Web: https://learnmate.com.au/

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1300 170 107


37

University – what is it like? Many of you may be considering going into university after you finish high school, however a

lot of you may be wondering what is university like, how will you know it is something for you

because university is not for everyone.

How is high school similar to university?

• Assessments – in most units you will complete an in-semester assignment and at

the end of the semester you will sit an exam.

• Lecturer and tutor – there are lecturers and tutors present who take you through the

course content and can be a point of contact for you.

• Structure—you still have a timetable to follow, specific subjects and classes to

attend.

• Social aspect—uni is great for meeting new people, making friends in and out of

class, and hanging out! There are always heaps of clubs and societies you can join,

including sports, visual and performing arts, and more.

• Support services—just like high schools, universities tend to look after their

students pretty well, providing academic, financial, career, mental health and other

types of services. You’ll be treated as an adult, but that doesn’t mean adults don’t

need help too!

How is high school different to university?

• Class size – depending on the course you are taking lectures can have more than

100 students in them. You average high school class size is around 25 students,

whereas there are uni tutorials that have around 15-20 students inthem.

• Independence – you are in control in university. Nobody is going to tell you to

complete your work. Academics will give you the dates of what assessments you

need to do and when they are due at the beginning of the semester and it is up to

you to do the work and hand it in on time.

• HECS – going to university will cost you money and if you are an Australian citizen

you can take out a HECS/HELP loan from the government to cover the cost of your

degree. This loan will be paid when you do your taxes and reach a certain income

threshold.

• Timetable – you are in control of your timetable. You can schedule your classes

early in the morning or in late in the afternoon.

• Less contact hours – depending on the course that you do you will most likely have

less contact hours at university than you do at high school.


38

• Attendance – attendance is generally not monitored like it is in high school. You are

expected to turn up to lectures and tutorials however you don’t have to. In some

courses, attendance at tutorials is compulsory.

• Recorded lectures – in most courses lectures are recorded and placed online for

students to listen if they missed the class or to re-listen again for private revision.

The best way to out more about university life or to learn more about a certain course that

you want to do at university is to attend university open days.

Check out the article on the next few pages (p.39 – 40) that was written by one of our tutors and organiser of this

seminar which gives you tips on how to choose university courses.


39

Beyond Year 12: Choosing University/TAFE Courses By Kirrily Ireland

Yes, that’s right, on top of everything else going on this year, you also have to face the

daunting task of deciding what you want to do after exams are done and ATARs are out.

Despite being pretty fed-up with high school by that point, round about now my friends and I

were saying, “Um, yeah, I think I’d like to just stay at school instead. That would be a lot

easier, thank you.” Because it was really hard to make that kind of decision; it seemed like it

had just crept up on us (even though, of course, we’d been poked and prodded since year

10). Some of you may be feeling the same way, but this isn’t something to shy away from.

You should be excited. You have free rein now and the possibilities are practically endless.

The Importance of Research: Hopefully your school has a careers counsellor or a designated staff member who organises

all the information on how to set up your preferences (e.g. in Victoria through VTAC).

Conveniently, you don’t have to fill out applications and etc. for every uni that you apply to,

it’s a very simple procedure. The main thing is finding out which universities, institutes and

courses you’d like to put on your preference list.

So, do some research. Look through course guides on the internet or in those pamphlets

that teachers are always throwing at you. Find out what electives you can do and which

things you can specialise in. See what kind of scores you’ll have to get for the different

courses on offer, but make sure this doesn’t deter you – no matter what, put what you really

want on the top of your list. If you don’t get in, then you don’t get in, but it won’t hurt to strive

for something higher than what you think you can achieve. You might just be surprised!

Also, if you’re planning on taking a gap year, look into that as well. Find out if it’s possible to

defer the course you wish to do for after you’re done travelling or working. If university or

TAFE is something you would like to do eventually, but you’re not ready yet and have other

plans, it might be wise to set something up for later. It’s all about thinking ahead.


40

The Importance of Open Days: Universities and institutes start opening their doors to prospective students around August.

Start planning with your family and friends which ones you’d like to visit and, in particular,

which departments you want to check out. Most universities will have all the details –

including maps and scheduled sessions – up on their websites. Also, yes, this is the perfect

excuse to take a break from all that studying you’re doing.

You might be thinking, “What’s the point? I’ve known where I want to go and what I want to

do since year 9.” That’s okay, open days can still be extremely helpful! This time last year I

didn’t even know that the course I’m in now existed. All it took was attending a quick info

session and speaking with the good folk at RMIT one Sunday afternoon, and I felt more

confident about what I was going to put on the top of my preference list.

This is especially helpful if you don’t know what you want to do yet. Go out there, have a

chat with current students and teachers, have a look at more than just that one uni/TAFE

you’ve had your eyes on, explore and be inspired by all the different things you could do

next year.

The Importance of Doing What YOU Want to Do: If you’re still not sure yet, don’t freak. Try a process of elimination. What are you drawn to

most at school? If it’s more sciency stuff, look into doing a general science degree, where

you can branch off and specialise later (a decision you won’t have to make right now). If you

love humanities- and English-based subjects, maybe try Arts; there’s a wide range of

electives to choose from and you don’t have to select your major right away. Sometimes

making that first little step will help you make the rest.

This is no one else’s decision but yours. People may tempted to discourage you, especially

if you’re heading towards something more creative. It’s important to be a little practical,

yeah, but don’t let practicality consume you; if you’re passionate enough about something,

like fine arts or acting, then you’ll make it work. Balance keeping potential career prospects

in mind with pursuing your dreams. You’re young and still have plenty of time to figure out

what you’re going to do for your livelihood. So, jump on opportunities and get an education

in a field that you truly love. This will be sure to point you in the strongest direction.


41

Tips on Studying for Exams

Studying efficiently requires you to organise your time and resources. The following are

general guidelines to help you prepare for exams.

Preparation

Begin studying early! That’s the main takeaway from this document.

• You can start thinking about the exam from the beginning of the year by keeping your

ears open for hints and tips.

• Revise your notes after each class so you have a clear and complete set to study

from.

• Start doing more revising about four weeks before your exams.

• Don’t cram the night before—it’s ineffective, because you’re taking in so much

information at once that it’s impossible to memorise it all. You’ll hardly retain anything

and will be tired and stressed when the time comes to actually sit the exam.

• Avoid procrastination such as excessive partying, alcohol and Facebook! Whilst it

may seem like fun (and it is at times!), be careful of these distractive traps.

Organise your time

• Fill out a weekly study planner - you can find a LearnMate one here.

• Make use of short study times. Fifteen minutes can be ideal for revising notes or

looking through note cards. Use time spent on the bus or train to review your subject

materials.

• Don’t study for longer than 60 minutes without a break. It’s better to study for short

intense periods with sustained concentration than long blocks of time when you are

tired and not working effectively.

• Work out when you can study most effectively. Are you more alert in the morning or

evening? When in your day can you find quiet time and space? Schedule study times

that suit your personal rhythms.

• Don’t study when you’re really tired. It’s better to get a solid night’s sleep after a short

study period, then to push on until 2am. You won’t remember much and will be less

effective the next day.

Organise your subject material

• Gather the materials for each subject. Make sure you have a complete set of course

notes and copies of any handouts, slides or visuals. Make sure they correspond to

the topics in the subject’s study design.

• Make sure you review the study design’s key objectives so you know exactly what

could be assessed in your exams! The exam assessor can only assess you based

on what is in this holy document!


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Rewrite your notes

• Rewriting your notes helps you to remember them. Don’t just copy out your original

notes—you’ll end up simply memorising the exact wording instead of the actual

concepts. The key is to read and think about the contents of your notes, what you

noted down and why (in what way it is important), how to express it most efficiently

and memorably, and then re-write them in your own words.

• When you finish studying a section of notes, ask yourself questions relating to the

material to see if you remembered what you just read. It can help to answer your

questions out loud as if you were trying to explain them to someone else.

Sort out what you don't understand

• Clarify the meaning of any words or concepts you don’t understand before trying to

study them. If you aren’t clear about what information means, memorising it won’t

help.

• Prioritise the hardest subjects first in each study session. Allocate more time to

studying the subjects you find most difficult.

• Talk to your teachers about terms and concepts you don’t understand immediately.

Also bring this up with your LearnMate tutor to ensure you can understand it.

Study hard BUT set limits

• Set study periods. Don’t study for longer than 60 minutes without taking a break. It is

better to study for a short intense period of time with sustained concentration than

long periods of time when you are tired and not engaging well with the material

• 'Chunk' information. Don't try to study the entire course in one sitting. Divide the

subject up into topics and aim to study a 'chunk' at each study session.

Set study goals

Set yourself a goal for each study session to help you keep track of what you are revising.

Write them down as soon as you begin your study session, or set them at the end of the

study session for next time. For example, you could write this down as wanting to achieve

these goals in a given study sitting:

• I will read through and summarise chapters 3 and 4.

• I will work through five equations.


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Study to suit your learning style

• If you’re a visual learner, diagrams and pictures can help you remember.

• Auditory learners should listen to lecture recordings or make their own recordings of

notes that they can listen to later.

• If you are a kinesthetic person explain key ideas aloud to yourself while moving

around. Explore different ways to help you remember key facts and to increase your

understanding of the main concepts.

Form a study group

• Form a study group with other students. Swap practice exams and give feedback.

Drill each other on study topics. Like at uni, study groups are very effective if your

friends are mature enough to want to study and not be distracted.

Review past exam papers

• Review any previous exam papers for your subject on the VCAA site.

• Look at the wording of the questions and familiarise yourself with the keywords.

• Practice doing the papers under exam conditions and carefully review your answers.

There’s no use just typing all exams when you’ll be handwriting it.

LEARNMATE.COM.AU/FREE-STUDY-RESOURCES

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