State’s top students reveal study hacks to ace Year 12 exams

Almost 40,000 Queensland students are in the final stages of their study ahead of the “toughest four weeks” of their lives with the QCAA external exam block starting on Monday.

Almost 40,000 Year 12 students are on the home straight in their schooling, cramming in final study for the three-and-a-half week external exam block, starting on Monday.

The QCAA external exams are described as “the toughest four weeks” of students’ lives, with one top graduate deleting all social media accounts for weeks to ensure he aced it.

Another high achiever studied for each subject in a different area of their home, giving them a separate space for each piece of revision.

The 17-day exam block will start for Year 12 students on Monday. Photo: Brad Hunter.

Declan Cabot, 20, graduated from Nudgee College in 2020 with a 99.9 ATAR. He is now studying Medicine at Griffith University.

“Obviously you must study up on a heap of subjects,” Mr Cabot said, remembering his experience with the QCAA external exams.

“It’s worth considering not focusing too much time on the subjects you know you are strong in, and instead making sure you spend more time on the subjects you’re not so confident in.”

Mr Cabot said getting into a routine early on, and eliminating any distractions were key.

“I made sure to establish a routine and maintain a good balance of socialising and still doing exercise, while studying.

“I deleted all kinds of social media four weeks out from the exams and I only had my email. I know that is extreme, you could just put your phone away if you preferred.

“But it is the toughest four weeks of your life, so be prepared to make some sacrifices for this short period and reap the rewards in the long term.”

Top graduate Declan Cabot shares his study tips. Photo: Supplied.

Jetty High School day one HSC exam. 18 OCT 2018

The Gap State High School 2021 graduate Grace Biddle achieved an ATAR of 88.7. The 19-year-old is now studying Social Work at QUT.

“My mum said to make sure you go out and do things with your friends, so you don’t burn yourself out,” she said.

“I also made a list of things I was looking forward to and wanting to do after the exams. My friends booked a week away, which gave us all something positive on the other side.”

Ms Biddle also allocated a different study space for each subject.

“I think it made it more clear what I was doing, sometimes when your exam is coming up, you just want to study for that one subject, but I think you can overdo it,” she said.

The 2021 graduate also credited her mum’s support during her study period, by regularly bringing her a variety of study snacks to keep her going.