PDHPE
HSC Enrichment Day
2011
Exam Technique
In this session we will look at
preparing for the PDHPE HSC
exam including:
• Exam structure
• Strategies for answering multiple choice
questions
• Tips for writing short answer/extended
responses
• Planning your answers
Exam Structure
• Section I: Core 1 and 2 content (60 marks)
Part A: Multiple choice
• There will be objective response questions
to the value of 20 marks
Part B: Short answer questions
• There will be approximately six short answer
questions
• Section II: Options (40 marks)
• There will be two questions for each of the
five options
• Answer both questions for the two options
you have studied.
• Answer only the options you have studied.
Time Allocation
• The PDHPE exam is 3 hours plus 5 minutes
reading time
• Section 1:
– Part A:
– Part B:
40 minutes (multiple choice)
1 hour and 10 minutes
(Short answer questions)
• Section 2:
– Options :
1 hour and 10 minutes
(Short answer/extended
response)
Multiple Choice Questions
• Read each question carefully
• Be systematic
Activity 2:
• Make 3 “passes”
Pass Practice
Pass 1
– answer all the questions for which the
answers come easily i.e. the ‘sure
things’
– eliminate as many options as you can
from other questions.
Pass 2
– figure out the “best” of the rest of the
answer options.
Pass 3
– take an educated guess.
Question breakdown
Activity 3a
Compare the dietary
requirements of athletes
in two different sports.
(6 marks)
To help you remember
Use the acronym SEL
Syllabus content
- Identify the syllabus content
needed to answer the question.
Explain using the key word and
examples how this syllabus content
Links to the question.
Go to Activity 3b in your workbook
and complete the notes
Question Breakdown
Compare the dietary requirements of
athletes in two different sports. (6 marks)
What to include in a response
• Identify dietary requirements / nutritional
considerations
• Show how dietary requirements are similar or
difference for the two athletes chosen with
regard to pre-, during and post-performance
needs.
• Use relevant examples specific to the athletes
and nutritional considerations
Practice Question Breakdown
Activity 4
1. Read the question
2. Identify the marks allocated
3. Underline the syllabus points so you know
WHAT the question is asking you about
4. Circle the key words so you know HOW to
answer the question
5. Read the question again for links / key
hints
Activity 5
More Practice
Use SEL - Develop a plan - Write a response
1. Outline the measures of epidemiology. (3 marks)
2. Argue the benefits of applying the Ottawa
Charter to ONE health promotion initiative. (8
marks)
3. Describe how the characteristics of the
learner can influence skill acquisition and
performance of skills. (6 marks)
4. Analyse the role of supplementation for
improving performance. (5 marks)
Marking the HSC
• Marking guidelines.
• Pilot marking/real marking.
• Script marking.
• Discrepancies.
• Positive marking.
Support Networks
 Teacher/tutor
 HSC Advice line 13 11 12
 Stuvac study groups
 Textbook/study guides/past papers
 BOS site – coping with stress
 HSC online PDHPE forums
 BOS sample answers and 2010 exam