VCE Study Tips: How to Prepare for VCE Exams
Summary
This post unpacks several high-impact study strategies to use in the lead up to VCE exams to improve academic performance.
Understand how to implement retrieval practice when studying.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of key VCE command terms.
Understand how to optimise study session lengths.
Learn how to take study breaks that replenish your focus, rather than drain it (e.g. doomscrolling).
As VCE exams approach, the study strategies you use matter just as much as how many hours you put into your independent study. We have put together a short guide on practical study strategies to use in the lead up to VCE exams.
Several of our team members at NM Education achieved 99.95 ATARs themselves (in VCE and IB). From experience, we know that academic success is supported by effective revision strategies, growth mindsets and strategic exam preparation. The VCE study tips below are backed by cognitive science research and linked to higher academic outcomes.
Tip 1: Study using retrieval practice
Retrieval practice is one of the most effective study strategies according to cognitive science research. It involves attempting to retrieve previously learnt information from memory without the aid of your notes.
Retrieval practice often feels more mentally demanding than re-reading your notes, but it's exactly this extra effort that makes it so effective.
Why it works:
Each time you recall information, you strengthen the neural connections to this information in your long-term memory. This helps prevent forgetting and makes it easier to recall the information in your actual VCE exam.
Examples of retrieval practice:
Peer teaching: Explain a concept from your textbook to a peer or family member. Recalling content in your own words helps you to quickly identify where your knowledge gaps are.
Chapter review questions: complete chapter review questions without your notes. This encourages you to recall information in order to answers the questions, which in turn strengthens your memory of the content.
Tip 2: Keep study sessions under 60 minutes
Aim for study sessions that are 60 minutes or less. Longer study sessions often lead to cognitive fatigue and more errors, so shorter, more frequent study sessions are a better option.
The consolidation theory of memory suggests that a period of mental inactivity after learning leads to better memory of that content. Taking a short break after 60 minutes of study gives your brain time to properly consolidate what you just learnt.
Tip 3: Familiarise yourself with different command terms
For each subject, ensure that you understand the expectations of each command term. (e.g. identify, evaluate and explain). Different command terms require a different style of response.
Read through the mark schemes of recent past papers to understand how responses are structured for each command term. This helps you maximise your marks across your VCE exam questions.
Command term glossary: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce/glossary-command-terms
Tip 4: Take productive breaks
Many students reach for their phone when taking a break from studying. But scrolling still uses significant cognitive energy and isn't always the best way to spend your break. Here are some more effective options. Here are some more effective ways to take breaks:
Spend time outside: research indicates that spending time in nature lowers your stress levels and replenishes your cognitive resources (Markevych et al., 2017), making it easier to focus when you go back to study.
Do 10 minutes of physical activity: even 10 minutes of exercise can improve your ability to focus during a subsequent study session (Niedermeier et al., 2020).
We hope these study strategies give you some more structure as you approach VCE exam season. We wish VCE students all the best for their upcoming exams.
Looking for further study skills support?
Our school workshops upskill student cohorts in a range of practical evidence-based study strategies that they can immediately implement to improve their academic outcomes.
Check out our following resources and programs:
School workshops: https://www.nmeducation.com.au/study-skills-workshops
Individual coaching: https://www.nmeducation.com.au/study-skills-coaching
NM Education is one of Melbourne’s leading evidence-based study skills provider, having supported 3,000+ high school students develop strong learning, metacognitive and study skills through our school programs.