Selina’s High School Hacks: How I Achieved a 99+ ATAR

Wondering how to achieve a 99+ ATAR? Expert Matrix teacher Selina Duan shares her journey and top tips to score high in the VCE!

Table of contents:

• A little about me
• My school life
• My VCE study routine
• My secrets to exam preparation to achieve a 99+ ATAR
• My subject hacks to achieve a 99+ ATAR
  • English
  • Maths [Methods and Further Mathematics]
• My advice to Year 12 students wanting to achieve a 99+ ATAR

Me, Myself and I

Name: Selina Duan

School: Camberwell Girls Grammar School

ATAR: 99.40

University: Doctor of Medicine, Monash University

VCE results

A little about me

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.

My school life

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.

My VCE study routine

During the term

On a term level:

• Review the study design for each subject and identify key areas to focus on. Matrix’s VCE courses really help here because they’re structured around the curriculum and break things down clearly.
• Create a rough outline of what I need to achieve by the end of each week and month, marking deadlines and exams too.

This helped me stay on track and gave me an overview of the term’s workload.

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On a weekly level:

• Allocate specific days for each subject so I could balance my time effectively.
  • Mondays and Wednesdays: Maths Methods
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays: English
  • Fridays: Revision or catch-up work.
• On weekends, I’d focus more on preparing for upcoming SACs by reviewing past SAC papers or practising exam-style questions.
• I used both physical planners and digital tools like Google Calendar, ensuring I made time for preparation without neglecting other subjects.

On a daily level (study blocks):

• On free days, I’d start my mornings with subjects that needed more focus, such as English, and tackle Methods in the afternoon.
• Break down tasks into smaller goals using to-do lists to stay on top of assignments and SAC preparation.

SAC preparation:

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.

During the holidays

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.

The holiday routine that worked for me:

• 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.

My secrets to exam preparation to achieve a 99+ ATAR

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:

• Gather study materials: Notes, textbooks, Matrix resources, past exams.
• Make concise revision notes: Summarise key concepts using colour-coding & diagrams.
• Organise a reference folder: Keep key notes handy for final revision.

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.

My subject hacks to achieve a 99+ ATAR

English 

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 :

• Challenging myself to write multiple essays, setting deadlines for each one to ensure I stayed on track.
• Brainstorming with friends or classmates to discuss the key themes and ideas of each novel. Seeing different viewpoints helped me form more nuanced arguments.

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.

Maths [Methods and Further Mathematics]

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.

My advice to Year 12 students wanting to achieve a 99+ ATAR

Make sure you take the time to enjoy your last year of high school – it’s truly one of the best years!

3 things you must do in Year 12

1. Look after yourself first! Sounds simple enough, but it’s easy to forget amongst the hectic nature of SACs, extra-curricular activities. Say no to things beyond your capacity but also yes to opportunities that will enrich your life. 
2. Keep doing the things you love! It’s impossible to study continuously in an effective manner. Take breaks and fill your life with friends, family, hobbies and whatever else pleases. 
3. Have confidence in yourself! Knowing that you’ve prepared and put in the hard work over the year is crucial for maintaining a clear mind. When you reach that difficult Maths Methods question on the last page of your final exam, you’ll be able to take a moment, think it through, and trust that you can solve it.

3 things you must not do in Year 12

1. Compare! Comparison is the thief of joy. Run your own race and don’t think about what your next-door neighbour is doing. 
2. Let obstacles bring you down! Facing challenges like a poor scoring SAC is inevitable, but it’s how you respond that matters. Instead of drowning in your sorrows, use them to reflect, learn, and improve. Stepping stones toward success.
3. Put pressure on yourself! There’s a difference between striving for success and overwhelming yourself with unrealistic expectations. Your ATAR doesn’t define you. There are always pathways to get where you want to be. 

If I can do it, you can too.
Getting a 99+ ATAR is about being prepared, staying consistent, and trusting your process. I hope these tips help you feel more confident about your VCE journey. Keep working hard, believe in yourself, and don’t forget to enjoy the ride. You’ve got this!