Preparing for 3u and 2u

[impulsebro89]

Hello! I have some questions on how to prepare for the HSC for 2u and 3u.

How many past papers did you attempt for both subjects?
Did you focus solely on hsc past papers or did you utilise trial papers as well?
If you did use trial papers, which schools would be the best to use? (Sydney Grammar, JR etc.)

Thanks 

[RuiAce]

I lost track of the amount of past papers I did for both subjects, because I wanted to aim well into the high 90's for both. (I can say that I tried to do all the papers from 2001 to my year, so that's at least 12 for both.) But some people will only do a few past papers and still get the mark that they desired anyway.

For me, I looked at only HSC papers. Short reason for that - my HSC papers will be written by pretty much similar people to those who wrote the past HSC papers, but not necessarily those who wrote the trials. (Having said that, Sydney Grammar trial papers are a worthwhile mention for their at least substantial difficulty papers.)

[impulsebro89]

Ok thanks! Do you think I should try all the hsc papers up till 2001 or should I extend beyond that? (2000, 1999 etc.)

[RuiAce]

I don't think they're 'wasteful' - those types of questions you wouldn't see in the current HSC exams but are still relevant topics wise. But at the same time I would not prioritise these papers simply because it might just take up too much time. That time would be better spent on studying for other subjects, and then if you really still have leftover time and energy, then you can try attempting those papers (and progressively go backwards).