Trial Exams are right around the corner (for most of us, at least!) We know how hard it can be to know exactly what you should be doing, how much of it you should be doing, and how long you should be doing that for. Multiply this confusion by five or six subjects, and it gets crazy! So, we’re going to give you a list of things you should have done, or be doing, for your English Trial Exams. A trials checklist, if you will. So let’s begin with…

1. Do You Understand the Module Requirements?

First thing on your Trials checklist should be, do you know the difference between the modules?

Of course the basics are the same. Answer the question. Give examples from the text. Look at how techniques are used by the composer. You know the drill. But what differentiates a Module A essay, from a Module B essay, and so on?

Usually it is only a key set of points. For Advanced Module A, for example, you’ll be comparing the same ideas presented in two texts, and be talking about context more than in other modules. For Module C, you’ll need to brush up on your creative writing techniques.

These sorts of subtle differences really can make a huge difference. Knowing them will ensure you are doing what the marker expects you to be doing in that section. If you know what they expect, you know what to do to maximise your marks. It is really a no brainer!

2. Have You Memorised?

Okay, so exactly what we mean by this depends a little bit on your strategy…

If you are taking in prepared responses, you obviously need to make sure you’ve got those key points memorised. Don’t underestimate the amount of time this will take. Even memorising essay scaffolds for three modules, plus an Area of Study, and potentially your creative as well is a heap of memorisation. If you haven’t started yet, lock down those responses as soon as possible. Get memorising! 

If you aren’t taking in prepared responses, you’ll be taking in a heap of evidence for your texts that you will adapt to the question on the fly. This was my preferred approach, and if you do this, you will need to make sure you have memorised enough quotes to get you out of trouble and respond to any question.

So how many quotes per text should I be taking in?

This question is literally impossible to answer. It completely depends on the quality of your evidence and your own analytical style. You know that old adage, quality over quantity? That’s exactly what this is about. Generally though, you’ll want significantly more techniques than you’ll actually end up using in your essay. This gives you the freedom to pick and choose to match the question. Further, it means you have a fallback if you just happen to space on that “one important technique.” Lots of evidence equals lots of options, which is always a good thing.

3. Have You Practiced?

This is absolutely crucial. You cannot, I repeat, can not, go into your Trial exam without having practiced writing your response (memorised or not) under exam conditions. It doesn’t have to be an entire paper, and you might even have a cheat sheet next to you with quotes on it. But you must have done some form of exam style practice before walking into the room.

Why? Same reason footy players have pre-season. Same reason musicians have sound checks. You don’t do something important without checking you can do that important something first – That’s common sense!

So, write a practice essay tomorrow. Practice writing your Creative tonight. Do something!

4. Have You Sought Feedback?

Just as important as practicing for your Trials is checking whether that practice is on the right track. It sort of defeats the purpose if you write a response, think it is incredible, but it actually is a bit rubbish. You need to be proactive and make sure your work gets marked, or gets some sort of feedback so you can work to improve!

Get your mates to help out here. You don’t have to be an expert to spot a sentence that makes no sense, or recognise that you haven’t put a technique with most of your quotes. Of course, detailed feedback from a teacher, or even free feedback from ATAR Notes, is going to be the most helpful. But this close to Trials, everything is helpful – And collaboration is an awesome thing!

5. Have You Asked Your Questions?

There are always lingering questions this close to Trial Exams. Even tiny things that you might push to the back of your mind because they seem unimportant in the context. Trust me when I say, those questions will come back to bite you.

You need to walk into your exam with complete knowledge of what is happening, and no lingering doubts. Make sure you chase your teachers to ask final questions. Or feel free to ask us in our English Advanced and English Standard Question Threads! The only question you regret is the one you didn’t ask.