Marking criteria follows a very clear pattern in the HSC exam. There is a very clear hierarchy. At the top of this is critically evaluate and at the bottom is identify. The best way to learn how marking criteria work is to understand this hierarchy as well as know the definitions for your key words. [...]
Each year NESA release feedback from the senior markers of the HSC exam. This feedback often included advice for the next year of students to use as they approach their exam. The advice this year included the following pieces of advice:Students should:address the key words, for example ‘outline’, ‘describe’, ‘explain’highlight/underline key components of the questionThis [...]
The phrase "to what extent" was used for almost every extended response question in the 2017 HSC PDHPE exam and contributed around 30% of the marks. To what extent is often used in HSC exams and it is important that it is recognised as a question that requires you to make a judgement. For example, [...]
The key word account is used in HSC PDHPE exams and asks you to "state reasons for, report on."[1] This links very closely with the key word explain, which asks you to Relate cause and effect; make the relationships between things evident; provide why and/or how.[1] When you account for something, you need to provide [...]
The BOSTES key word justify occurs periodically throughout the HSC PDHPE syllabus. BOSTES define the term as follows: Support an argument or conclusion The key word justify relates to two other BOSTES key words: Account Account for: state reasons for, report on. Give an account of: narrate a series of events or transactions Which is [...]
The BOSTES key word examine is used a number of times in HSC PDHPE. The BOSTES glossary of key words define examine as: enquire into. This is a rather short definition, requiring the person to simply investigate or find/provide information on the topic. Google, however, provides a more thorough definition of the term: inspect (someone or [...]
The key word describe is one of the main verbs used in HSC PDHPE questions and throughout the syllabus. The key word describe is quite a basic term and so can be used to ask questions for most content that uses a higher order key word such as evaluate, or analyse. The BOSTES glossary of [...]
The key word assess is used three (3) times throughout the HSC PDHPE syllabus. The word assess, provides the foundation meaning behind the term assessment, such that your assessment tasks are used to assess your knowledge and understanding of content. Assess is listed in the BOSTES glossary of key words with the following definition: Make a judgement [...]
The BOSTES key word explain is used frequently throughout the HSC PDHPE syllabus (though mostly in the outcomes not the learn tos) and in examinations. The BOSTES glossary of key words defines explain as follows: Relate cause and effect; make the relationship between things evident; provide why and/or how. That is it wants you to [...]
In recent years the HSC PDHPE exams have begun to use the common terms: what, how, why, and to what extent. You are expected to understand what these common terms mean, and then work out how best to answer the question that would use them. What As a common term what can be used in [...]