HSC Exam Intensive Study Plan

4-Week Pre-Exam Revision Program

Concentrated revision plan for the final weeks before the HSC Physics exam

Overview

This intensive study plan is designed for the final 4 weeks before the HSC Physics examination. It assumes you have completed the course content and focuses on consolidation, practice, and exam technique.

Duration: 4 weeks (28 days) Daily Study: 2-3 hours focused revision Total Hours: ~70 hours

Week 1: Content Consolidation

Objective

Review all core content systematically, identify knowledge gaps.

Daily Schedule

Day Morning (1.5 hrs) Evening (1 hr)
Mon Module 5 review: Projectile & Circular Motion Module 5 Quiz
Tue Module 5 review: Gravity & Orbits Problem set practice
Wed Module 6 review: Particles in Fields Module 6 Quiz
Thu Module 6 review: Induction & Transformers Problem set practice
Fri Module 7 review: Wave & Quantum Light Module 7 Quiz
Sat Module 7 review: Special Relativity Problem set practice
Sun Module 8 review: All topics Module 8 Quiz

Focus Areas

Week 1 Checklist

Week 2: Past Paper Practice

Objective

Build exam technique through timed practice papers.

Daily Schedule

Day Session Activity
Mon 3 hrs Complete 2019 HSC Paper (timed: 3 hours)
Tue 2 hrs Mark paper, analyse errors, review solutions
Wed 3 hrs Complete 2020 HSC Paper (timed)
Thu 2 hrs Mark paper, analyse errors, target weak areas
Fri 3 hrs Complete 2021 HSC Paper (timed)
Sat 2 hrs Mark paper, compare performance trends
Sun 2 hrs Review all errors, create “mistakes log”

Paper Analysis Template

For each paper, record:

Question Topic Marks Lost Error Type Action
Q23 Projectile 2/6 Calculation Practice more examples
Q28 Relativity 3/7 Concept Re-read topic notes

Focus Areas

Week 2 Checklist

Week 3: Targeted Revision

Objective

Focus intensively on weak areas identified from Week 2.

Daily Structure

Time Activity
0:00-0:30 Review mistakes log from previous day
0:30-1:30 Deep study of targeted weak topic
1:30-2:00 Practice problems on that topic
2:00-2:30 Quick review of other topic (maintain)

Topic Rotation

Based on your Week 2 analysis, prioritise topics. Example schedule:

Day Primary Focus (1 hr) Secondary (30 min)
Mon Electromagnetic Induction Projectile Motion
Tue Special Relativity Motor Effect
Wed Nuclear Physics Circular Motion
Thu Photoelectric Effect Transformers
Fri Orbital Mechanics Atomic Models
Sat Practice Paper Sections (targeted) General Review
Sun Complete 2022 HSC Paper Mark and analyse

Focus Areas

Week 3 Checklist

Week 4: Final Preparation

Objective

Polish exam technique, build confidence, prepare mentally.

Daily Schedule

Day Morning Afternoon Evening
Mon 2023 HSC Paper (Sections) Review solutions Formula memorisation
Tue 2024 HSC Paper (full) Mark and review Light revision
Wed Weak topic final review Practice calculations Exam logistics
Thu Speed practice (MC) Extended response practice Early night
Fri Light revision only Relax, prepare materials Sleep early
Sat EXAM DAY

Pre-Exam Checklist

The Night Before
Exam Morning

Exam Strategy

Time Allocation

Section Questions Marks Time
Section I 1-20 20 ~25 mins
Section II 21-33 80 ~155 mins
Buffer - - ~15 mins

Answer Strategies

Multiple Choice (Section I): - Read all options before selecting - Eliminate obviously wrong answers - Watch for “always/never” statements (often wrong) - Mark uncertain questions, return if time permits

Extended Response (Section II): - Read the question twice - Underline key directive words (calculate, explain, analyse) - Plan multi-part answers before writing - Show all working for calculations - Link explanations to physics principles - Use diagrams where helpful

Common Directive Words

Word What to do
Calculate Show working, give numerical answer with units
Explain Describe the how and why using physics concepts
Analyse Break down, examine relationships, draw conclusions
Compare Identify similarities AND differences
Evaluate Make a judgment with supporting evidence
Justify Give reasons for your conclusion

Emergency Topics

If you’re short on time, prioritise these high-yield topics:

Must Know (appear almost every year)

  1. Projectile motion calculations
  2. Faraday’s Law and Lenz’s Law
  3. Photoelectric effect
  4. Time dilation / length contraction
  5. Nuclear decay and half-life

Frequently Tested

  1. Circular motion and satellites
  2. Transformers and power transmission
  3. Wave interference (double slit)
  4. Atomic models (Rutherford, Bohr)
  5. Mass-energy equivalence

Mental Preparation

Confidence Builders
  • You’ve completed the course - you know more than you think
  • Every past paper makes you stronger
  • Mistakes in practice are learning opportunities
  • Exam nerves are normal - use them as energy
  • Focus on what you CAN do, not what you can’t

Remember: The HSC exam tests understanding and application. If you understand the concepts and practice regularly, you will succeed.