The development of study skills in preparation for assessment tasks, such as tests and exams, is the shared responsibility of all teachers and Learning Areas at the College. At the end of 2024 we reviewed where certain skills were explicitly taught, and in 2025 Learning Area Leaders presented to the Learning and Teaching team examples of the learning activities and the timing of embedding certain skills.

Below is a summary of skills taught, and the Learning Area(s) that explicitly focuses on this skill.

• Time Management: This skill is specifically addressed through the learning areas of Design Art and Technology (DAT) and Performing Arts
• Flashcards: The use of flashcards is a primary strategy for mastering Languages and has applications across subjects
• Exam Preparation Checklists: Developing and using checklists is a core skill and this is explicitly developed in Maths, DAT and Science
• Understanding Command terms: Mastery of task verbs is taught in Religious Education, Humanities, and English, as well as other Learning Areas
• Creating an Effective Study Environment: The conditions conducive for a focused and productive space is addressed in both Health and Physical Education and Performing Arts
• Navigating the Test Paper: Learning how to efficiently move through an exam paper is a key focus for Science
• Making the most of Reading time: Health and Physical and Education
• Organising Revision Notes: Structured note organization is a priority for English and Maths
• Interpreting Assessor Reports: Gaining insights from assessor reports is a specialised skill for Maths and Science students being developed in Year 9.

Coming up on Wednesday 6 May our Year 10 and 11 students have workshops with Elevate Education to help prepare them for the Semester One Exams.

Year 10 students will have two lessons on Wednesday 6 May, with presenters being OLMC teachers and external Elevate Education presenters. Students will have the opportunity to further develop their exam preparation skills, but also be provided strategies to manage stress in the exam environment, as well as how to move on from an exam, even if it did not go as well as planned.

Year 11 students experienced the Year 10 program in 2025 so now is the time to refine their skills even further. Their focus will be on reviewing their revision strategies from previous years and managing their worries in the assessment, as well as in the lead up to exams.

Our Year 12 students will also consider a range of strategies for the successful use of their time following their conclusion of classes in October (SWOTVAC), provided by their subject teachers, as well as Elevate Education’s ‘Towards the Finishing Line’ session held early in Term 3.

Students also have access to our OLMC Study Habits website via SIMON, which provides further tips and strategies such as how to manage cognitive load, templates for creating study planners, as well as tips on how to move on from an exam or assessment that does not go as well as planned.

As with many skills, practice leads to improvement and students have a number of opportunities to develop and practice the skill of revision and managing the stages of an exam experience.