More than 13,000 SACE students across South Australia are getting ready to take the final step in their secondary studies, with Stage 2 written exams beginning today.
While the majority of students won’t begin their written exams until Monday 5 November, there are many languages students across the state who are preparing to take the final step in their secondary studies from today onwards.
Popular examination subjects this year include General Mathematics, Biology and Psychology (full list below).
The month-long exam period officially commences today and runs until Tuesday 20 November, when the state’s Tourism and Musicianship students will be the last students to complete their written exams for the year.
Exams occurring in October include Chinese (Beginners), Japanese (beginners), German (beginners), Korean (beginners), Arabic (beginners) and more.
Students from eight schools in Malaysia, China and Vietnam will also be sitting some of the Stage 2 written SACE exams this month, as part of the SACE International Program recognised by the universities throughout the world.
SACE will also become the first secondary qualification in Australia to conduct an electronic examination, with students enrolled in English Literary Studies undertaking their exams on computers this year.
Education Minister John Gardner wished all students the best for the exam period.
"Exam time can be a stressful time for students, despite more emphasis being put on student learning throughout the year rather than how they perform in an exam," said Minister Gardner.
"This is the home stretch for many South Australian students, and it’s an important time for students to remain positive and to use their support network of friends, family and teachers.
"I wish all of our students the best of luck during this period."
SACE Board Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell encouraged each student to focus on themselves and study according to their own schedule.
"A recent study from the University of North Carolina has shown that over-estimating how much your peers might be studying for an exam is actually detrimental to your own result," said Professor Westwell.
"The clear message from the research findings was to just focus on your own abilities and knowledge, and don’t stress about what you think other people are doing to prepare for an exam.
"You don’t really know the answer to that anyway and it just creates more worry, which could affect your own performance.
"Be yourself. Study your own way. That’s what matters."
Students will receive their SACE results in December.
The top ten most popular examination subjects for 2018 in South Australia are:
- General Mathematics - 4,089 students
- Biology - 3,316
- Mathematical Methods - 2,863
- Psychology - 2,362
- Physical Education - 2,272
- Chemistry - 2,099
- English Literary Studies - 1,898
- Physics - 1,738
- Essential Mathematics - 1,515
- Modern History - 1,260
