Year 12 students commence the most important term of their schooling lives

(By Taegen Joyce and Natalie Pattillo - Bond University journalism students)

Students in their final year of high school will complete four Queensland Core Skills (QCS) exams over two consecutive days this term.

Results from these exams will determine their academic future.

Year 12 Varsity College student Tijana Jakovac said the school had methods of preparing students for the exams which had proved effective in past years.

“We have QCS classes every Wednesday in which we study questions from previous tests and refresh general knowledge in maths and English,” she said.

 “We have also had team building days to unite our year level and prepare us as a group.”

Tijana said students voted the song Whip It by Devo as their QCS song, which has been used throughout the year as a fun tool for motivating the students.

“We know that when we hear it, it’s time to move and get ready to go into the exam room,” she said.

“It also reduces the stress because the teachers can focus more on supporting and encouraging us rather than shouting instructions.”

Varsity College’s QCS program department head Megan Roderick said the song brought the students together.

“Having something that students can identify with as a common group helps build that team spirit,” she said.

Year 12 Somerset College student Anna Lakhia said their preparation for QCS differed slightly to Varsity College.

“Every second week we practice questions from past QCS papers,” she said.

“We also have a year 12 meeting every Thursday where we discuss our results from the practice questions and ways to improve our marks as a whole.”

Varsity College student Tijana Jakovac said she felt well prepared for the two days of exams.

“The help from teachers and the classes have definitely given me confidence and a positive attitude towards the test,” she said.

Varsity College’s Ms Roderick said before the tests students should relax, eat some good food, and get enough sleep.

“I think that it’s also helpful if the parents are aware of the pressure that the students are under and create a minimum stress environment for them at home,” she said.

Ms Roderick said it further encourages year 12 students to do well when Varsity College as a whole takes an interest in their success.

“We involve parents, students from year 11 who come along and support our year 12s on the days, and all of our teachers take huge ownership so it’s not just one person who gets involved,” she said.

All year 12 students in Queensland will sit the Queensland Core Skills exams on August 31 and September 1.