When I was in Year 11, the end-of-year exams felt like a whole different beast.
It was the first time an “exam block” felt heavy, like there was gravity to it. (The fact that it had an entirely different name, aka “Prelims”, also contributed to how serious it all felt).
Strangely, teachers would say “they’re important,” while older students would tell you “don’t stress too much”.
Either way, having come out the other end, there were a couple of things I wish I knew.
So, if you’re aiming to finish Year 11 strong, here are the top 5 mistakes students make when preparing for yearly exams - and exactly how to avoid them.
1. Not realising the scope is now bigger
Here’s the thing - Yearlies are indeed different from other exam blocks you may have done.
Content-wise, the scope is significantly larger. Usually, schools assess content from Terms 1-3, cumulatively.
What does this mean? You can’t rely on short-term memory, half-done notes, or last-minute cramming anymore.
