Select a year to see courses
Select a year to see available courses
Matrix scholarship student Janithu shares the three lines of defence you need to excel in Year 12—mindset, tutoring, and practice papers!
Join 75,893 students who already have a head start.
"*" indicates required fields
Join 8000+ students each term who already have a head start on their school academic journey.
In this article, Year 12 student Janithu, shares his ultimate HSC exam tip: The “Three lines of defence”. It’s a simple, powerful game plan that is helping him succeed and it’s one you can follow too!
Name: Janithu
Grade: Year 12
School: Pacific Hills Christian School
If you’re feeling the pressure of exams creeping up, trust me, I’ve been there. I’m here to share the best HSC exam tip that helps me get through it all: The three lines of defence! Let’s dive in, shall we?
Okay, let’s be real. Any exam can feel like a monster trying to swallow you whole. But here’s the thing, YOU are your first line of defence. It all starts with your mindset!
I used to stress out over difficult questions, thinking, “I’ll never figure this out!” But then I realised something that changed everything:
Instead of giving up, I’ll pause, take a deep breath, and break the problem down. That’s one of the most underrated HSC exam tips.
For Maths Extension 1, I remind myself that if a proof or integration looks intimidating, to approach it step by step. It’s like solving a puzzle.
In Chemistry, I try to visualise a reaction or even just write some random calculations, hoping to get to a final answer that makes sense. These small strategies became my go-to study strategies for Year 12, especially when I feel stuck.
Discipline is key, too. I set aside two or so hours every day just for a Maths Extension 1 past paper, and the same for Chemistry. I keep a logbook of my mistakes, which I call the FM (First Mistakes) book.
I jot down every question I get wrong and figure out where I went astray. That logbook becomes my secret weapon two weeks before exams.
A Mistakes Logbook is like having a personal coach yelling, “Don’t make that mistake again!”
So, HSC exam tip number one: Believe in yourself, stay curious, and be disciplined throughout your academic journey!
Test your skills with the Chemistry Practice Paper, complete with high-scoring answers and explanations! 
Get ready for your Chemistry Yearly exam!
If you’re a Matrix student like me, you know Matrix is your second line of defence, and it’s a game-changer. Their structured courses, expert teachers, and resources make a huge difference, especially when I do not completely understand a certain concept, because I can always rely on their resources and online videos.
Matrix’s weekly quizzes were clutch for keeping me sharp.
Getting instant feedback to spot gaps in my knowledge was a vital part of why I got the mark I wanted in the HSC.
Their online LMS has model answers and detailed explanations for their workbooks. It really helps me break down tough concepts like random variables in Maths Extension 1. It’s targeted, bite-sized, and super clear.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, lean on Matrix. They’ve got your back with structured courses, practice papers, and expert guidance from their experienced teachers. They also gave me plenty of HSC exam tips to stay consistent, supported, and exam-ready.
Now, let’s talk about the third line of defence: Past papers. Seriously, if I could hug every past HSC paper in history, I would. They’re the ultimate way to prep because they show you exactly what NESA throws at you, question styles, difficulty levels, and time pressure.
I started doing past papers for Maths Extension 1, Maths Advanced, and Chemistry about 9 months before my trials. What worked best for me, personally, was learning the content through exam papers (THSConline or Studocu) by going through their solutions and finding out how they want the answers to be. This would be beneficial because I would then know exactly what the markers would be looking for.
This was the best way to study for Maths Extension 1, seeing the patterns in real exam questions and matching your thinking to what the examiners want. I’d also time myself to simulate exam conditions.
One of the best HSC exam tips: Don’t just do past papers; learn from them.
EVERYONE is going to tell you to do exam papers… but how do you use them wisely?
I kept a logbook (yep, that FM book again!) of every mistake. Whether it was misapplying the chain rule in Maths Advanced or misunderstanding a reaction pathway in Chemistry.
Then, I’d revisit those questions two weeks before an exam and practice similar ones until I nailed them.
By the time my exams rolled around, I felt like I’d seen it all before. I knew the patterns, the traps, and how to manage my time in exam conditions. Practising under pressure is one of the most effective HSC exam tips and was the best way (for me) to study for Maths Extension 1.
So, how do these three lines work together? Imagine you’re facing a beast of an exam question, say, a multi-step synthesis in Chemistry or a complex differential equation in Maths Extension 1. Then your 3-part system kicks in:
First, your mindset and discipline help you not panic. You’ve trained yourself to stay calm, breathe, and break down the question into manageable parts. You don’t expect perfection straight away. You just focus on progress, one step at a time.
That self-talk and confidence? You’ve built it through small, daily habits
Second, Matrix Education gave you the tools and structure to build you understanding of this topic. You’ve watched the theory lesson videos and you’ve done the Work Book questions.
You’ve tracked your progress with the weekly quizzes and filled in the gaps before they were too late to fill.
Third, you’ve done plenty of past papers that have simulated exactly what the exam will feel like. It’s one thing to understand content, but you’ve applied it under pressure so you don’t choke in the exam. You’ve picked past papers with this topic, you’ve set a timer, and you went for it.
You’ve learnt from your mistakes to make you ready for this exam.
Before you know it, you’re answering this exam question with ease and confidence.
For me, this combo is unstoppable. I went from feeling pressured over Year 12 Maths to feeling confident in the exam hall. I also crushed Chemistry modules thanks to Matrix’s resources and past paper practice.
Now, as I look back, I’m convinced: combining mindset, structure, and real practice is one of the best HSC exam tips I can give.
If you’re moving into Year 12, my biggest advice is this: start early, stay consistent, and don’t ignore your mistakes. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but having a plan and the right tools will keep you sane.
Use every mistake as a stepping stone, not a setback. Track your progress, celebrate the small wins, and make time to look after yourself. At the end of the day, the HSC is just one part of your story… but giving it your best now will open more doors later!
So, Year 12s, whether you’re prepping for trials or the big HSC, give yourself, Matrix, and past papers a chance to shine. You’ve got the brains, the support, and the practice; now go ace those exams!
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.
© Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au, 2025. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
