How to get your best mark in HSC Geography exam

Geography allows students to develop a greater understanding of the world and the processes that shape and transform both natural and human environments.

Rex Cooke, St Ignatius College, Riverview, Head of Geography and HSC marker

St Ignatius College’s head of Geography, Rex Cooke.

Top dos and don’ts for Geography

• Understand the new structure and question types in the HSC exam this year. The examination has 15 multiple-choice skills questions, 45 marks’ worth of short-answer questions, one structured extended-response question worth 20 marks and one unstructured extended-response question worth 20 marks.
• In short answers, make sure you address the directive term of the question so you are responding to what is being asked. For example, “explain” must show cause and effect.
• Ensure you understand all the different geographical skills question types, from area and grid reference through to vertical exaggeration and gradient.
• Ensure you have clearly defined paragraphs that each relate to a key point/theme in your essay. Provide detailed evidence, statistics and case studies to support your points.
• Don’t forget to provide locational and spatial data on the location of case studies so markers know the context.
• Don’t spend too much time on essay writing, as the short-answer section is worth the most marks. Allocate your time efficiently.