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

SALLY 90 1

TOM 78 2

ANNE 75 3

BEN 58 4

JULIE 55 5

LUKE 40 6

TOTAL 396  

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

STUDENT HSC EXAM MARK EXAM RANK

SALLY 92 1

TOM 72 3

ANNE 80 2

BEN 60 4

JULIE 50 6

LUKE 55 5

TOTAL 409  

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

SALLY 92 1

TOM 77 2

ANNE 74 3

BEN 59 4

JULIE 57 5

LUKE 50 6

TOTAL 409  

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

STUDENT MODERATED ASSESS. MARK

EXAM MARK

FINAL HSC MARK

SALLY 92 92 46 + 46 = 92

TOM 77 72 38.5 + 36 = 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 - www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au

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 SUBJECTSBOARD 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.