One week into the month-long examination process students from Great Lakes Senior Campus have finished major exams including two compulsory English papers and General Maths.

When asked what their impressions were of the exams so far a group of five students almost telepathically replied in unison “hard and long.”

But eighteen-year-olds Rachel Davis, Alisha King, Dom Martin, Matt Scott and Tom Knight, 17, all agreed that despite a few curly questions they’ve done ok.

“It’s about getting it all down in the right amount of time,” said Alisha, a concern reverberated among the group.

With more than enough to write about the students warmed up with short answer responses in their first English exam and in their second were faced with three essays in two hours.

The school’s vice captain Matt Scott said the major challenge was incorporating concepts from the Area of Study, a topic that changes each year – this year it was Belonging, and shaping it to come up with a response.

“Some questions have been hard but I think we’ve been able to adapt,” he said.

Head teacher of English and Drama, Sue Morrell said a lot of HSC preparation focused on ensuring students were equipped to deal with any curve balls the Board of Studies could have thrown.

Aside from other standard prep work, like revising with past exams, Mrs Morrell said a major emphasis was placed on dexterity and writing speeds.

She said for some students, who spend copious hours working with keyboards, the standard and speed of handwriting demanded by exams was a struggle.

The HSC wraps up on November 13.

HSC Advice Line:

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