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Earth and Environmental Science

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Examination techniques tips for Stage 6 Earth & Environmental Science

• Knowing the structure of the examination
• Studying for the exam
• Planning your approach to the exam
• Answering questions well
• Drawing diagrams
• Preparing your equipment

Knowing the structure of the examination

HSC examination papers are produced in accordance with the Board’s Principles for Setting HSC Examinations in a Standards-Referenced Framework , (scroll down to page 7) first published in Board Bulletin Volume 8 Number 9 (Nov/Dec 99). Questions areclosely related to the outcomes of the course, and the paper as a whole is structured to allow for appropriate differentiation of student performance at all levels on the performance scale.

Stage 6 Earth & Environmental Science examination is a three hour examination. There is an additional five minutes reading time.

The examination has two sections:

Section I contains questions based on the core, to a total value of 75 marks. The section is organised as follows:

• Part A, containing 15 marks. The questions will be of the multiple-choice type, worth one mark each. All questions are compulsory. A multiple-choice answer sheet will be provided.
  
  
• Part B, containing 60 marks. The questions will be of the short-answer and extended-response type. All questions are compulsory. Marks for individual questions will be shown on the examination paper. One or more answer booklets will be provided.

Section I examines work from the following modules:

• 9.2 Tectonic Impacts
• 9.3 Environments Through Time
• 9.4 Caring for the Country

Section II contains questions based on the options of the syllabus, to a total value of 25 marks.

The examination has four questions offered in this section, one for each the following modules:

• 9.5 Introduced Species and the Australian Environment
• 9.6 Organic Geology - A Non-renewable Resource
• 9.7 Mining and the Australian Environment
• 9.8 Oceanography.

Candidates must attempt only ONE of these questions.

The questions may be of the short-answer and extended-response type. Each question may consist of several parts. Marks for individual parts will be shown on the examination paper. A writing booklet will be provided. Additional writing booklets will be available if you require them.

In relation to the structure of the sections of the examination, candidates should be aware that:

• there are a variety of question types. Some questions have parts while others ask a single question that requires an integrated response. Together, these question types provide candidates with opportunities to demonstrate a range of skills across different levels of the performance scale
  
  
• the number of questions and the marks allocated to each question in Part B, and the number of parts and the marks allocated to each part in the Option questions, may vary from year to year
  
  
• all question parts are out of whole marks. This will assist candidates in determining the relative value of questions and parts, and in allocating their time appropriately
  
  
• the number of Part B Answer Booklets and the number of questions to be answered in each Answer Booklet may vary from year to year.

Studying for the exam

Use the syllabus to guide your revision. A copy is available from the Board of Studies web site.

The examination for the Stage 6 Earth & Environmental Science will include an HSC Earth & Environmental Science data sheet. The data sheet will be a geological time scale. It will indicate the absolute and relative ages of eons, eras, periods and epochs. A copy of the data sheet is attached to the Earth & Environmental Science Exam booklet each yearYou can access it at the Board's web site. Be familiar with the information provided in this data sheet. You can use the information to assist in answering questions during the examination.

Planning your approach to the exam

You should have invested at least 300 hours, possibly up to 600 hours, in studying HSC Earth & Environmental Science at school and at home before the exam. You have three hours to show the examiners what you know and understand. Use those three hours as effectively as possible.

Prior to the examination you need to think about how you will approach it.

It may be useful to consider the time available for each section. Based on marks and time available, you should allow 1.8 minutes per mark. The Board of Studies suggests that you allow about:

• 30 minutes for Part A in Section I
• 1 hour and 45 minutes for Part B in Section I
• 45 minutes for Section II.

Some candidates find it useful to work through the paper from start to finish. Others like to answer the sections with which they feel most familiar and so may attempt their elective question first. Discuss your approach with your teacher.

As you work through the examination, answer the questions you can do most easily first, then go back and do the more difficult questions. Allow time to go through all your answers in the final half hour so you can correct minor errors and ensure that you have answered all parts.

Answering questions well

Be careful to only give the type of response requested in the question. It is expected that students have a clear understanding of key words in questions, such as ‘discuss’, ‘analyse’, and ‘explain’. These words will be used consistently in accordance with the glossary, published in the Board’s New HSC Assessment Support Document .

Answer questions concisely and precisely. If you are too wordy when answering a question, you increase your chances of contradicting worthwhile information given earlier. A contradiction cancels out the mark you might otherwise have been awarded.

Use the mark allocation (about one and a half minutes per mark) and the amount of space provided in the core answer book as a guide to how much you should write or draw. The space provided is more than that needed to obtain full marks.

Take care to provide all the information requested in a question. For example, if the questions asks for two “things” about two “things” you will need to provide four separate pieces of information.

Correct statements, which don’t answer the question asked, will not score marks. Don’t provide multiple answers in the hope that one might be correct. Check also that you haven’t merely answered by rewording information that has been given in part of the question asked.

Carefully answer the question asked rather than write a prepared response to a keyword.

Write using blue or black pen. Draw diagrams using pencil.

If you make a mistake, do not waste time using white correction fluid (“liquid paper”). Clearly cross out what you do not want the examiner to mark and rewrite your answer.

Drawing diagrams

Generally, it is best to draw simple 2-dimensional line diagrams. Unless specifically requested, there is usually no need to draw 3-dimensional.

If a labelled diagram is asked for, you must label the critical parts. The labelling line from a label should touch the named part.

Draw the diagram and labels in pencil. Mistakes can be easily rubbed out.

Keep the diagram simple. If the answer is worth two marks spend about 3 minutes of your time.

Preparing your equipment

Be sure you organise all equipment needed for the examination well in advance and check that it is in good order.

Board-approved calculators may be used in the examination. Check your calculator is functioning correctly, has fresh batteries and that you are very familiar with any operations needed for the course.