YEAR 12 – 2016 HSC LAUNCH

SENIOR PREP. - LEARNING SUPPORT PROGRAM ALL YEAR 12 STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO REGULAR SUPPORT WITH:  ESSAY WRITING  EXAM TECHNIQUES  STUDY SKILLS  EXTENDED RESPONSES  ASSESSMENT TASKS  HSC VERBS  BOSTES REQUIREMENTS  ANY ISSUE THEY MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH

ASSESSMENT TASKS WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT?  In every subject, the class teacher submits the final assessment mark for each student and the rank order of students with the RELATIVE GAPS between them to the Board of Studies, Teaching & Educational Standards (BOSTES) NSW

For example, YEAR 12 BIOLOGY 2016 STUDENT ASSESS. MARK RANK SALLY901 TOM782 ANNE753 BEN584 JULIE555 LUKE406 TOTAL396

What Does the BOSTES NSW do with this information? All schools use different assessment tasks and teachers mark slightly differently. Therefore, to be fair to ALL students across NSW, all HSC assessment marks submitted to the BOSTES are adjusted using a process called MODERATION.

WHAT IS MODERATION? The assessment marks submitted by class teachers for each subject are moderated according to that group’s TOTAL HSC examination marks STUDENTHSC EXAM MARKEXAM RANK SALLY921 TOM723 ANNE802 BEN604 JULIE506 LUKE555 TOTAL409

The moderation process adjusts submitted assessment marks using four steps: 1.The mean (average) of the class assessments is adjusted to equal the mean of the examination marks obtained by the students in that class 2.The top assessment mark is adjusted to equal the highest examination mark obtained by any student in the group and is allocated to the student who was ranked number 1 3.The bottom assessment mark is adjusted to equal the lowest examination mark obtained by any student in the class and is allocated to the student who was ranked last. 4.The total of HSC examination marks is then distributed across the class

This process maintains the RANK order of students in the class & the RELATIVE GAPS between them remain similar, based on their assessment marks.

STUDENT MODERATED ASSESS. MARK RANK SALLY921 TOM772 ANNE743 BEN594 JULIE575 LUKE506 TOTAL409 MODERATED ASSESSMENT The total of the moderated assessment marks will be the same as the total of the exam marks gained by all the students in the subject

THEN WHAT? HOW IS THE FINAL HSC MARK WORKED OUT? The BOSTES calculates the following: 50% Moderated Assessment Mark + 50% HSC exam mark = Final HSC mark STUDENTMODERATED ASSESS. MARK EXAM MARK FINAL HSC MARK SALLY = 92 TOM = 75

SAFEGUARDS There are a number of safeguards in place to ensure fairness to all students. Eg some students are excluded from the moderation process: 1.Illness/misadventure – exam mark well below assessment mark. 2.Exam mark significantly lower than rest of class. 3.Special cases as determined by the BOSTES Therefore, the class is NOT negatively impacted by the above students. BOSTES -

SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?  Students need to work really hard and achieve the best assessment mark they are capable of. Aim to be ranked number 1.  Follow school policies & procedures if it is not possible to submit an assessment task (see blue handout)  As a class work hard together to gain as many marks in the HSC exam as possible.

SO HOW CAN STUDENTS PERFORM WELL IN ASSESSMENT TASKS?  DUE DATES FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS (no surprises – use calendar/see handout)  UNDERSTAND THE TASK BEFORE STARTING  START EARLY & CHUNK THE TASK (time management)  SUBMIT DRAFTS TO THE TEACHER  ADDRESS THE HSC VERBS  SEEK THOROUGH FEEDBACK - find out after the task how to improve for next time

HELPFUL RESOURCES RESOURCES FOR ALL SUBJECTS BOARD OF STUDIES TEACHING & EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS NSW (BOSTES) - past HSC exam papers with marking guidelines/sample answers and suggestions on how students can improve their responses. - Syllabus - On-line multiple choice tests from past HSC papers - Major Project guidelines TEACHERS – students can organise to see their teacher outside of class time to seek clarification, guidance and feedback Quizlet – enables students to make study cards, access other study cards & then be tested in a variety of ways. Free SCHOOL LIBRARY – See our very knowledgeable librarian, Mrs Rienstra for assistance

RESOURCES FOR MOST SUBJECTS NSW HSC ON-LINE - Provides supplementary information and resources on most courses - Practice questions/activities - Study & exam tips BOSTES HSC EXAM WORKBOOK – past HSC exam with marking guidelines and top scoring student responses EXCEL HSC study guides MOODLE - All students should be enrolled in MOODLE DOT POINT – questions & answers for each syllabus dot point STATE LIBRARY – free membership. Excellent resource for subjects such as Ancient/Modern History, Society & Culture or any subject where independent research is required. Just apply for a membership card online.