AI analysis of five years of HSC exams reveals the common questions, mistakes and topics every NSW year 12 should know
Exclusive analysis using AI to study five years of papers reveals the common questions, topics and traps of the most popular HSC exams. Here’s what NSW year 12s need to know.
Exclusive AI analysis by The Daily Telegraph has revealed the common questions, mistakes, themes and topics of the five most popular HSC exams.
Using the latest technology recommended by teachers and tech experts, we performed a thorough analysis of the past five years of English (advanced and standard); mathematics (advanced and standard); biology; business studies; and personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) exams and reports.
The aim – to determine what students need to know before they sit their final exams, based on what’s likely to be included and common errors in previous years.
On October 16, over 70,000 students will kick off the HSC with their English exams.
This is what the technology of the future recommends year 12 students do to prepare for the grand finale, including specific tips for the exams and how to use AI to ace your studies.
Coming soon: AI insights into Victoria, Queensland and South Australia year 12 exams
English standard and advanced tips
According to five years of English exam reports, AI tools identified the most common mistake was students’ failure to analyse and explain in their response.
“The single most frequent criticism is the failure to move past the surface level of the text,” it said.
“Students repeatedly substitute description, simple explanation, or plot recount for genuine analysis.
“Students often limit their discussion to broad themes or character summaries instead of developing a higher-order conceptual argument tied explicitly to the module’s core ideas and the question’s premise.”
AI suggested students focus on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ when explaining their answers and move away from simply recounting prescribed or unseen texts, especially in paper one, section one.
Lastly, students were encouraged not to regurgitate a pre-written response when writing to a prescribed text.
“Pre-preparation is good; Pre-writing is dangerous,” the AI said.
“Students must practice adapting their core knowledge to different question types to succeed.”
Maths standard and advanced tips
Maths can sometimes seem like a foreign language, especially when algebra and calculus are part of the equation.
To those sitting the maths exams, these terms will be familiar – to parents and families, ask your kid and (hopefully) they can explain it for you.
The AI tools identified common and costly mistakes for advanced students were premature rounding during calculations and incomplete justifications.
“The calculator is your tool, but your logic is the proof,” the AI said.
“Never skip the step that earns the method mark.”
In standard, an analysis of exam reports found students commonly selected the incorrect formula or concept when responding to real-world or statistical questions.
AI identified the following problems as “very high frequency” from the past five years of maths advanced: curve sketching using calculus, Z-scores and normal distribution and loan/annuity calculations.
In standard, loan repayment calculations, area of composite shapes and bivariate data analysis were all identified as “very high frequency” problems.
Business studies tips
Business studies was the third most popular HSC subject, with 20,000 students enrolled in 2024.
An AI analysis of exam reports found students commonly confused business terminology such as debt and equity, or pricing methods and strategies.
Students also lost marks when they failed to move beyond simple textbook definitions when they were expected to reference case studies or use their judgment to ‘evaluate’ their response.
“Do not simply name the strategy; you must write the ‘why’ and the ‘how’,” the AI said.
“That is the difference between a textbook definition and high-level analysis.”
In the past five years, AI found the most common multiple choice questions focused on human resource management (HRM) and financial calculations, particularly ratios.
Short answer questions also commonly focused on these topics, but with more analysis.
Questions relating to operations strategy also frequently occurred.
The most common section three extended response questions focused on HRM.
Biology tips
AI identified biology students frequently demonstrated a poor understanding of experimental design concepts such as validity, reliability and accuracy across the past five years.
Students were also often criticised for imprecise or vague language in their responses.
The AI tools recommended students be prepared to respond to unfamiliar data and graphs by drilling down on the key biological theories they are often associated with.
“If you read ‘justify’, your argument must begin and end with the data,” the AI said.
“The graph is your primary evidence, not your inspiration.”
In the past five years, AI identified the most common multiple choice questions related to disease and pathogen types, classifications and strategies.
Short answer questions frequently asked students about experimental design principles and data analysis.
The most common extended response questions related to analysis and evaluation of biotechnology and ethical considerations.
PDHPE tips
An AI analysis of five years of past personal development, health and physical education (PDHPE) exams and reports found a range of common mistakes, themes and questions.
According to AI, students commonly failed to link cause and effect in their responses, often simply describing an action without detailing the outcome.
Students were also criticised for failing to use specific examples in their responses (for example, using “an athlete” instead of “a marathon runner” or “a 16-year-old female soccer player”).
AI also encouraged students to ensure they thoroughly evaluate responses when asked to by providing a “clear and sustained conclusion”.
“The highest judgment in evaluation is sustained,” the AI said. “State your conclusion in the introduction, defend it with data, and restate it definitively at the end.”
AI found the most common multiple choice questions related to performance principles and health issues.
Short answer questions commonly focused on health promotion and social justice principles in relation to the Ottawa Charter.
Extended response questions always challenged students to analyse or evaluate a key concept, such as equity, performance, health in young people or sports medicine.
How to use AI to ace your exams
Practice makes perfect.
Teachers and experts say AI can be harnessed to produce the perfect practice exams and questions as well as provide targeted feedback.
Australian Professional Teachers Association president and NSW principal Karen Yager said AI has revolutionised the way students can prepare for exams.
Ms Yager suggested students use free AI tools like Google’s Notebook LM to generate relevant practice questions.
To do this successfully, students should load VCE curriculum documents. past exams and reports to programs such as Notebook LM to familiarise the program with exam content and prompt practice questions, Ms Yager said.
Murdoch University associate professor of education Dr Natasha Rappa said large language models (LLM) could be used to provide targeted feedback to students in the style of a real HSC marker.
She also encouraged students to use AI to “consolidate and organise” their notes.
“If students are visual learners, they could get the LLMs to organise the notes in different formats such as tables and mind maps,” Dr Rappa said.
“If they find it easier to learn through listening, they could get the LLMs to read their notes to them (Notebook LM can even generate a podcast from your notes).
“LLM can be used to identify general patterns in exam questions, so that once the general types of questions are identified for a given topic, students can ensure that they get sufficient practice completing these different types of exam questions.”
Dr Rappa did caution students to check for accuracy of AI responses with their teacher.
Do you have any exam tips for Year 12 students across the country? Email education@news.com.au to share your wisdom.
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Originally published as AI analysis of five years of HSC exams reveals the common questions, mistakes and topics every NSW year 12 should know
Read related topics:Year 12 Exams
