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How to get a good ATAR in QCE - 41 tips for success

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Joseph41:
Hey team! This thread is a pretty broad overview of some things you can do to put you in a great position to get a great ATAR through QCE.

My story: through high school, I was always an okay student. Never fantastic. Until Year 12, that is, where I changed some habits, tried a few different things, and came out of Year 12 with an ATAR of 99.65.

I'll be posting lots more tips that are more specific - ways to study, how to navigate the new QCE system, things like that - but for now, these tips are a good place to start! :)

Please, if you have any questions whatsoever, please leave a post in this thread! You'll need an ATAR Notes account to do so - if you don't have one, you can make one totally for free in like six seconds - do that here. :)

#1 Mental health and stress
SpoilerThis is by far and away my most important piece of advice. If you take anything out of this post, let it be this: if you are struggling, seek help. It does not make you weak. There are people there to help: family, friends, teachers, counsellors. Give BeyondBlue a call (1300 22 4636). Anybody. Your health is so much more important than your marks.

My experience: I didn't. I wish I did.#2 Get in good habits
SpoilerThis one starts early. If you cruise through the earlier years of high school with little regard for deadlines, it seems unlikely that much will change for QCE.

I'm not suggesting completely devoting all of your time from the first minute of Year 7 (I sure didn't), but good habits are only going to be beneficial. Good habits may also include, for example, taking  a water bottle to school each day, or using broad resources.

My experience: I never once handed in an assignment late through all of my schooling. In Year 12, nothing changed for me, whilst peers who, in my opinion, were a lot more naturally gifted, struggled to adjust to the fairly quick pace of internal assessments.

As an aside, I only started to use a drink bottle in Year 12, and it made a significant difference; I found that I could concentrate for longer each day, and generally felt more invigorated.#3 Believe in yourself
SpoilerLike anything in life, succeeding in QCE is all about self-belief. You can do all the work you want, but at the end of the day, if you go into tests or exams thinking that you won't do well, chances are you won't. In my opinion, the basis for belief is preparation. Do what you can to prepare, and you will feel positive.

And this is essential for doing well. It's never too late to turn it around.#3a It's never too late to turn it around
SpoilerI suppose this deserves its own point. If you don't do as well on an internal assessment as you would have liked, or if you're failing halfway through the year, try not to be dictated by what has happened in the past. Instead, concentrate on the future and what you can control in order to maximise your achievements.#4 Have goals, and remember those goals
Spoiler‘SMART’ goals are even better: make your goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound, and you will be on your way to success. In my experience, short-term goals are more effective. For example, “complete [assignment] by [time]” may motivate you more than “achieve [ATAR],” but this will be different for each individual.#5 "I have no idea what I want to do after school, so what's the point of trying?"
SpoilerI'm so glad you asked! I had no idea, either. I still don't really know! And that's the thing: if you don't have a specific goal (see tip #4), why would you not try to keep as many metaphorical doors open as possible? I know that it's sometimes hard to stay motivated when you're not really working toward anything, but I promise you it will be worth it in the end.#6 Remember that QCE is but a single door
SpoilerClichéd, but relevant. Try not to get too worked up about (not) getting into your dream course. QCE is by no means the end of the road. If you miss the requirements for a particular course, it is very often the case that you will be able to transfer in subsequent years. Don't give up!#7 Choose subjects about which you are passionate
SpoilerSometimes it's hard to be motivated to study. That's understandable. Everybody, to some degree, experiences that feeling where you know that you probably should do some work, but you're just not in the right mood (or, if like me, you would rather play FIFA). I'm in that non-study mood right now! Choosing subjects you think you will enjoy will make this less of a concern. Conversely, choosing subjects just because your friends are doing them, or because you think you ought to choose them, may result in a lack of motivation.

My experience: I chose subjects which many would regard to be 'easy'. In reality, it is no easier to do well in them, all things considered. Do I regret it? Not for a second.#8 Ignore scaling
SpoilerThe concept of inter-subject scaling is new in the QCE system, and it may seem confusing at first. The whole point of scaling is actually to level the playing field between subjects, and to allow you to simply choose subjects you enjoy without having to worry about what impact that will have on your marks.

Subjects scale for a reason, and if you perform well enough in a subject that scales down a lot, it renders scaling entirely irrelevant.#9 Different subject selection
SpoilerThrough QCE, there are both General and Applied subjects, and you should do research into which is most relevant for you. In certain circumstances, both can contribute to your ATAR!#10 Surround yourself with good people
SpoilerI think we are influenced by those around us more than what is generally acknowledged. Surround yourself with dedicated, committed people, and you will go a long way to realising your potential. If that means sitting away from your friends in class, so be it.#11 Start thinking about content early
SpoilerIf you're super duper keen and want to get a head start on your Year 12 subjects, why not have a look around at some of the resources available to you either on this site (for example, [url=http://atarnotes.com/notes]free notes![/ur]) or elsewhere? Absolutely not necessary to do well, but if you're passionate, no harm!#12 Prioritise
SpoilerThere will probably be situations through QCE where you have study to do for multiple subjects. You should prioritise this not based on which subject you like more (a very easy trap to fall into), but which is more pressing at the time. Think carefully.#13 Separate work and rest areas
SpoilerIMO it is important for your mental state to differentiate between where you're going to work and where you're going to chill. If you're trying to revise on your bed, it may be tempting to go to sleep or watch Netflix.

My experience: I tried to work at school as much as possible, because I liked home to be relaxing. If that's not feasible for you, try separating rooms. This does not have to be religiously followed, but I find that if you sit down to work in a designated work area, you're half the way to completing a good study session.#14 Find a study space that works for you
SpoilerThere's no point trying to study in a space where you are likely to get distracted easily. Remember that one hour of solid study is likely to be more beneficial than four hours of "study", where you're really more interested in whom Person X made out with on the weekend, or what Person Y said to Person Z at lunch. What worked for me? The soothing silence of the library's back corner before school, and the usually-deserted Senior Centre after school.#15 Be kind to yourself
SpoilerYear 12 is a stressful year for all involved. There is no point being hard on yourself, because it will only make you more stressed. Didn't do as well as you wanted on an internal assessment? That's okay; use it as a learning experience for the next one. Falling behind in Methods and have no desire to learn about simultaneous equations? No problem - go for a walk and come back to it soon.#16 Our old friend procrastination
SpoilerTrust me, I found myself aimlessly opening the fridge in the hope that something had magically appeared in the thirty seconds since I had last checked as much as anybody (particularly just before exams). Different people combat procrastination in different ways. I tried to avoid situations in which distractions were many (see tip #13).#17 Try not to compare yourself with your peers
SpoilerIt's tempting to compare yourself with the people around you, or even others on ATAR Notes. But remember this: some people may be aiming for 99.95, some to pass QCE, and others still couldn't care less about what they achieve. It's trivial to compare yourself to others because at the end of the day, everybody will have different goals. And, in the end, thinking about what other people are doing is only going to distract you from what is important - you.#18 Be organised
SpoilerI hate organising my entire week in timetables before it has even started. It makes me feel confined, but everybody is different. If you are motivated by knowing that you have things to do at a particular time, then great! I prefer checklists because a) I know precisely what I have to do, and b) there are no time-barriers, so I don't feel under too much pressure. Regardless, it is important to stay on top of what you have to do.#19 Try to keep perspective
SpoilerQCE is a game, and not much else. A four digit number by no means defines you.#20 Embrace the experience
SpoilerQCE isn't always a heap of fun, but you only get one (for most people) shot at it. If you're that kind of person, why not apply for a leadership position? Even if you're not that kind of person, why not apply for a leadership position?

My experience: I am very quiet at the best of times. I would much rather stay home and read a book than actually converse with a peer (haha), but I enjoyed my role as a school leader in my final year. I consolidated some good friendships and felt a much greater connection with the school. I found it very satisfying, but admittedly it's not for everybody.#21 Trust what you know works for you
SpoilerBecause, well, you know it works!

My experience: We had a guy come in to talk to us at the start of Year 12. He was an inspirational speaker. He told us all that we could only use folders with loose leaf paper - strictly no exercise books, which I had used for all of my schooling. I listened to his suggestion and took his advice on board, but I stuck to my guns. I knew what worked for me, and it continued to work for me.#22 Use rewards as motivation
SpoilerOperant conditioning, for all of my Psychology friends! Motivating yourself with rewards can be a great way of getting through an extra five minutes, or reading one more chapter.#23 Sleep well
SpoilerImportant and extremely underrated. A night of good sleep is an excellent launching pad for the next day, particularly if you have an upcoming test or exam. I essentially never studied after 5-6pm, and went to bed early every night.#24 Eat well
SpoilerAs above. The healthier you are in Year 12, the better you will feel, the more you will be able to concentrate, and the more effective your study will be.#25 Be consistent
SpoilerYear 12 is a bit of a slog, but it becomes easier once you break it down into sections. Study for each assessment, keeping in mind how that content relates to broader concepts that run throughout the course. Consider this: if you study well for one test and score 18/20, then lose focus for a bit and score 6/20, it's going to be difficult to catch up and learn the content you missed. I think it's much better to score 12/20 each time, and learn from your mistakes in each test.#26 Be prepared
SpoilerIt's important to go into each internal assessment and exam knowing (roughly) what to expect. Also important is preparation of stationery etc.; you don't want to be frantically searching for a pen that works with five minutes left!

My experience: I simply used a small zip-lock bag with everything I needed. I had two, actually, one of which I kept at school (just in case I had a test and I forgot to bring my exam pens!). #nerdlife#27 Keep doing what you love doing
SpoilerMaybe you love playing music, or love playing sport, or love watching the ever-so-brilliant David Mitchell (he truly is a beautiful man). I believe that if you love doing these things, it would be detrimental to stop doing them. There will surely be times when you will need to prioritise, and perhaps reduce your load, but everybody needs to relieve stress by doing something they enjoy.#28 Find study techniques that work for you
SpoilerEverybody is different, and everybody learns differently. If you're musical, try turning your notes into a song. If you're a visual learner, make posters and colour-coordinate your notes.#29 Read
SpoilerIt doesn't matter what you read, so long as it is stimulating and enjoyable.

My experience: I read the paper each morning before school, and used the time to relax before the day really started. It put me in a good frame of mind, and on numerous occasions, I could use articles I read to aid my English studies.#30 Work with your peers
SpoilerSo you're competing with everybody around you - I understand that - but at the end of the day, I think it's easier to keep motivation if you have others around you with common goals. If you work well in a group, then start study groups. If you're like me, and try to avoid social interaction at all costs, I hear that the interwebz is a great resource! Why not interact with the great people at ATAR Notes instead?!#31 Take initiative
SpoilerOkay, maybe don't take it as far as I did (I had many animated conversations (okay, very animated (okay, they were arguments)) with teachers about my marks), but it's important to understand how you can improve. After each test, work out what you can do differently next time to get better. Try to understand your mistakes so that you can turn your weaknesses into strengths for the exam(s)!#32 Respect your mood
SpoilerOne of my favourite teachers from school is an absolutely brilliant artist. I asked him once what he did when he didn't feel like painting - how he kept motivation - and his answer was simple, but telling. He said, "When I don't feel like painting, I don't paint." Year 12 is similar; there are going to be times when you're frustrated, or angry, or sad. Contrary to what some may say, I suggest not trying to push through. Take a time-out, instead. Get your head right, and try again later on.

My experience: I went against my own advice and, on occasion, tried to push myself through these emotional barriers. I'm not saying that you should only study when you feel like it, because you may never feel like it. But if you're genuinely upset, I have found that trying to work only compounds the issue. Year 12 should not be a priority over your mental health.#33 Use your teachers
SpoilerI referred to my teachers a lot throughout the year. If they were willing to mark my practice exams, I would do as many as I could to take advantage of their goodwill. Even better if nobody else could be bothered doing them! Their job is to help you. Your job is, for lack of a less violent phrase, take advantage of them at every opportunity.#34 You are not defined by your school
SpoilerAnybody can succeed in QCE. Keep in mind that you don't have to be the best to succeed, nor do you have to attend the best school.#35 Don't fall into the 'one subject' trap
SpoilerYou may really love a subject, but that doesn't mean that you should use 100% of your time on it.

My experience: I spent way too much time throughout the year on my folio subject. I completely neglected maths. In the end, I used my maths lessons to work more on folios. I full-marked both of my folios. Great idea, huh? No. Bad idea. My end results? Higher in maths than the folio subject.#36 Doing a folio? Front-load your work!
SpoilerYou do not want to be using time (... especially maths periods) to do a lot of work on your folio instead of revising for exams. Let me repeat that: you do not want to be using time to do a lot of work on your folio instead of revising for exams.

My experience: I did a folio subject. I lost sleep over it, sure - I didn't sleep at all the night before my folio was due - but I was most definitely not the worst; one of my friends didn't sleep for about three days. Obviously, this is not an ideal outcome, and to avoid it, I am almost begging you to do as much of your folio as you can, as early as you can.#37 Consider tuition
SpoilerBut in no way is it necessary.

My experience: I had a tutor in Year 11, but felt I didn't need one for any of my Year 12 subjects. It worked fine for me.#38 Write effectively, efficiently
SpoilerIt's all well and good to know the content of a course like the back of your hand, but if you can't write quickly enough to portray that knowledge in your exam(s), your knowledge will be rendered (partially) redundant. If you're not a naturally quick writer, I think it is worthwhile to practise writing essays and extended responses within a particular timeframe. All other variables equal, I can guarantee that the student who knows how to write effectively and efficiently will get better marks than the student who labours over each word.

My experience: I spent a fair bit of time trying to perfect my exam writing. A significant portion of this was teaching myself how to write quickly. My work resulted in finishing each exam with just enough time left to have a very brief look over what I had written to make sure I hadn't made any obvious errors.#39 Practice exams
SpoilerIn my opinion, there is no better source of revision. Once you feel semi-confident with a subject's content, complete as many practice exams as you feel necessary. Note that last bit: as you feel necessary. Just because one person does 30, doesn't mean that you should do 31. It's a very individual thing, and quantity is definitely not as effective as quality. Don't be afraid to do an exam more than once if you run out of new ones!

My experience: I started practice exams even before I was confident with the content. To begin with, I completely the exams not time-bound and open book, and completed them over the course of several days. Gradually, I took away my notes, started to time myself, and eventually completed the exams in exam conditions. Ease yourself in. Make sure you mark every paper you do - otherwise they're not very useful! And for a second opinion, get your teachers to mark as many as possible (see tip #33).#40 How about an end-of-year revision lecture?
SpoilerRevision lectures can be a great way of solidifying knowledge and being exposed to great advice. I found the more useful for subject-specific exam hints, many of which I implemented. I hear that ATAR Notes hosts some banger free lectures. ;)#41 Reading time
SpoilerReading time is crucial. It will differ between subjects, but I think this general advice holds: don't waste it. Use it to read each question - really read each question - and start to plan your answers for the first few questions. Reading time sets you up for the entire exam, and in my opinion separates the good papers from the great papers.

caffinatedloz:
Fantastic tips! Thanks Nick ;D

brothanathan:
 Top tips  8)

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