MAITLAND students wrapped up their HSC for 2021 saying "there definitely weren't any free marks" in the final exam.
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Genevieve Janse van Rensburd and Angus Rogers of Hunter Valley Grammar School sat their HSC Chemistry exam on Monday.
"The exam was so content heavy and took a lot of working I don't think many people would have finished it," Genevieve said.
"During the reading time I was looking through the exam and there were so many module eight questions. I was not ready for that."
According to Angus, module eight involved using information learned in the other modules and applying "them into the real world on how to identify chemicals in the environment". Angus also said he "enjoyed the challenge" of Monday's exam.
"Some of it was quite difficult. You definitely needed some good calculation skills to get through it," he said.
"You sit your exams and you don't exactly like doing them but this one was definitely my favourite."
Monday's test may have been their last exam but neither student has a chance to rest just yet.
Angus said he has a state swimming championship in January that requires him to get back into training, with Genevieve heading interstate.
"I've got fencing nationals not this weekend but the weekend after in Melbourne," she said.
Angus and Genevieve both intend to study at the University of Newcastle next year, Genevieve having already secured a position.
"I've got early entry into psychological science at Newcastle so I'll probably do that for a year then transfer into medicine. Unless I really love psychology," she said.
"It made the exams a lot less stressful for me because I'm one of those people that really likes to have a back up plan."
Angus, who studied four units of mathematics this year, said he didn't apply for early entry but is happy with how exams are going and has full intentions of getting into university.
"I want to do aerospace or mechatronic engineering at Newcastle," he said.
While Angus said he "didn't mind" learning from home, both students said they were happy to get back to in-person schooling.
"I struggled with working at home a lot because I am super easily distracted," Genevieve said.
"I live pretty rurally so the internet is super dodgy which also made learning from home difficult at times."
This year's HSC exams finish up on Friday, around a month later than originally planned due to COVID. Genevieve said her one suggestion for future HSC students is to put in consistent effort.
"Make notes. Don't do them all in the last month because it's pretty stressful."
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