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Selina shares her study strategies, subject hacks, and well-being tips that helped her achieve a 99+ ATAR.
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Wondering how to achieve a 99+ ATAR? Expert Matrix teacher Selina Duan shares her journey and top tips to score high in the VCE!
Name: Selina Duan
School: Camberwell Girls Grammar School
ATAR: 99.40
University: Doctor of Medicine, Monash University
| Subject | VCE Score |
| English | 44 |
| Further Mathematics | 50 |
| Mathematical Methods | 42 |
| Accounting | 48 |
| Psychology | 45 |
| Chemistry | 39 |
Table of contents:
Want to hear more about how Selina boosted her marks and confidence? She’ll be joining a panel of Matrix VCE experts at our free Year 7–12 Success Secrets Seminars.
You’ll walk away with practical tips to help you maximise your marks and ATAR — straight from students and expert teachers.
Hey guys! My name is Selina, and I graduated from Camberwell Girls Grammar a little while back. After that, I completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, which led me to where I am today – in my final year of medicine at Monash University.
I’m someone who loves spending time outdoors and staying active – camping, hiking, and travelling are a few of my favourite activities.
And of course, food is a big part of my life – Melbourne’s brunch culture has me hooked! You’ll often find me with a cup of coffee in hand, ready to enjoy a great meal or chat with friends.
Throughout high school, I stuck to my strengths, which I felt were in Maths and Science. However, at the last minute, I decided to drop Biology and switch to Accounting in Year 12.
I questioned this decision immensely, as I knew I wanted to pursue a career in Medicine. But for some reason, the VCE Biology course just wasn’t speaking to me. Eventually, I took the plunge and ended up absolutely loving Accounting.
So, if you’re considering a subject change, pick something that you enjoy and you’re good at. It doesn’t always have to make sense at first with your career plan.
Don’t choose a subject just because you think it will look good—choose ones that you’re good at and passionate about.
If you’re unsure, trying a Matrix free trial could help you explore a new subject before fully committing.
On a term level:
This helped me stay on track and gave me an overview of the term’s workload.
On a weekly level:
On a daily level (study blocks):
Leading up to SACs, I shifted gears to revision mode:
Focused on targeted practice for specific topics I knew would be assessed.
Reviewed class notes, did past SAC questions, and worked on weaker areas.
Planning ahead and keeping a steady routine made SAC prep less stressful. Having weekly structured tutoring classes will also help you avoid last-minute cramming.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of viewing the holidays purely as a chance to catch up on work. However, they’re just as important to recharge and refresh.
To ensure I didn’t take my foot off the gas, I created a holiday study schedule that included focused work sessions AND dedicated time for rest.
I scheduled short, 2–3 hour blocks for specific subjects.
Mondays and Wednesdays were for reviewing notes and practising exam-style questions.
Weekends were mostly reserved for self-care and relaxation.
Matrix Holiday Courses are a great way to stay productive while keeping a balanced routine.
Preparation:
When I know exams are coming up, I start creating a study timetable to organise my time effectively. I break down each subject into key topics and allocate specific times to study each topic, prioritising based on personal strengths and weaknesses.
I also switch between subjects to keep things interesting and avoid burnout. Starting early allows me to feel more confident and not overwhelmed as the exam date approaches.
Resources:
Here’s how I ensured I was fully prepared:
This structured approach ensures I have everything I need to revise effectively and confidently before exams.
Practice:
I believe that practice is key to success, so I spend a lot of time working through past exams and sample questions under timed conditions.
Like many of my peers, VCE English was one of my least favourite subjects. But, I knew the only way to improve was through consistent practice.
Here’s what helped :
I found that being original in my responses and formulating my own ideas, rather than relying on common interpretations, made my essays stand out.
For revision, I used a mix of written notes and visual tools:
Created mind maps for each novel to summarise key themes, characters, and quotes.
Made comparison tables for characters, narrative techniques, and structure.
Reviewed teacher feedback closely and used it to refine my arguments and essay structure.
Having access to knowledgeable teachers, like those in structured courses such as Matrix, really makes a difference when it comes to clarity and confidence.
To achieve a 99+ ATAR, my approach to studying VCE Maths Methods was fairly straightforward.
First, I focused on understanding the theory, and then I practised applying it through exercises and past exams. If I didn’t understand something, I would seek help from teachers or classmates to clear up any confusion.
I found it important to clarify challenging concepts early on, as this helped prevent confusion later.
Then, I would immediately apply it to my work, reattempting problems and making sure I avoided the same mistakes in the future. This kept me accountable and allowed me to learn from both my mistakes and others’ insights.
In terms of note-taking, I compiled my notes in a detailed and organised way.
One tool that worked well for me was creating a book of mistakes, where I wrote down errors I made while working through problems.
I also developed my bound reference early, which became my go-to tool for study and exams. It included:
Key formulas (with annotations)
Common pitfalls (like unit errors or misreading graphs)
Summaries of tricky concepts
Past exam questions and solutions
This reference became an essential resource for both study and during the exam.
Make sure you take the time to enjoy your last year of high school – it’s truly one of the best years!
Expert teachers, detailed feedback and one-to-one help. Book your free trial today and join a class!
Written by Matrix Education
Matrix is Sydney's No.1 High School Tuition provider. Come read our blog regularly for study hacks, subject breakdowns, and all the other academic insights you need.
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