Hello there Susie!
So I have quite a few questions (sorry) for modern history.
No need to apologise! That's what I'm here for
1) What are some tips to ace longer extended responses and to get marks like 24/25 or 25/25?
First things first, I just want to reiterate how rare marks like 25/25 are - I only received one from my teacher throughout my internals, and only got full marks in one section in my actual exam. Not that it isn't possible - it totally is! But don't beat yourself up over it, a 23/25, and a 24/25 are still incredible marks.
My teacher used to say that the only reason he would give 25/25 for an essay was if the essay challenged his perspective - i.e. we had the incredibly difficult task of changing his opinion on something he's studies for decades. Yikes. But, there is truth to it - to get marks like that, you have to stand out, and that requires a unique thesis and argument. Now a unique thesis DOESN'T (and shouldn't) have to be a complicated one, but integrating key themes and issues, like ideology or example, into your thesis, will allow for a more sophisticated response. For example, which thesis do you think is going to lead to a better essay?
The Bolshevik consolidation of power was achieved through a variety of factors.
The Bolshevik consolidation of power was achieved through the pragmatic application of socialism, rather than strict ideological adherence.
The latters argument is actually quite easy to sustain, but will allow for a deeper, more theoretical engagement with the content.
Another MAJOR thing is detail. With my students (this is a habit I learned of my own teacher) I don't give outs 24s and 25s - I give out 23+'s for really good essays. That's because typically past 23 it's just whether or not the marker personally thinks you have enough detail, or a strong enough argument. Detail doesn't have to just be statistics, it can be terminology, quotes, sources, key facts, dates, etc. etc. Just make sure the detail is RELEVANT - if not, you'll be writing a descriptive essay, not a detailed one.
2) When it comes to exams, how did you exactly study for modern?
Practice questions, practice questions, practice questions.
Seriously. Practice questions.
Before trials I completed over 25 practice questions. Overkill? Yes. Do you need to do 25 practice questions? No. But did it help - immensely. Doing practice questions is active study - your brain is actually engaging with the content, and even better, its engaging with it in the way that you will need to in the exam. The more practice questions I did, the more I realised patterns in my own writing - oh wow, all my bolshevik essays seem to use the same examples, maybe I should just focus on them in my study, etc. etc. By the HSC exam, I had seen and done a practice paper on every single question that was in the exam - way less stress.
As I said, you don't have to do as much as I did. I pretty much did no other types of study as well, so the time that you would be spending writing notes, I was doing practice papers. But if you can get 1-2 done a week, just imagine the difference that could make.
3) What are some recommended websites, books, podcasts etc that benefitted you during your HSC?
Thanks! Sincerely Crystal.
Obviously atarnotes ahaha (for real though, this is really such a good resource, especially the essay marking threads!)
Spartacus educational is great, as they always provide a heap of sources at the end. Alpha history is also really good for quick summaries, as is johndclaire.com. For books, that really depends on your case studies, but for the Core Study i'd recommend reading some Ian Kershaw and William Shirer - they're great. Also watched a lot of 'Epic Rap Battles of History', but that probably didn't help too much academically ahaha (it was good for stress relief before exams though!)
Hope this helps!