By Pascal Press | September 14th, 2026 | Last Updated September 14th, 2026
When you have several HSC subjects to revise, deciding where to begin can feel overwhelming. Should you start with your weakest subject, the exam that comes first or the subject that could contribute most to your ATAR?
The short answer is: begin with the subject or topic that is both important and in greatest need of improvement. Use your exam timetable, recent assessment results and confidence in each topic to decide what deserves your attention first.
Rather than studying subjects in a random order, prioritise the work that could make the greatest difference to your exam performance.
Start by listing every HSC subject you are sitting, along with:
This will give you a clearer picture of where your time is most valuable.
A useful approach is to divide your subjects and topics into three priority levels:
These are subjects or topics that you find difficult, have not revised recently or regularly lose marks in. They may also include exams scheduled earlier in the HSC exam period.
These are areas you understand but cannot yet answer confidently under exam conditions. You may need more practice recalling information, applying formulas or structuring responses.
These are topics you can already explain and apply accurately. They should still be revised, but they may not need as much attention as your weaker areas.
Your priorities will change as you improve, so review this list regularly throughout your HSC preparation.
For most students, it is helpful to begin with a weaker subject or topic while your concentration and energy are highest.
However, you do not need to devote all your study time to your weakest subject. Ignoring stronger subjects could lead to lost marks in areas where you have the potential to perform well.
Try dividing each study session between:
This approach helps you address knowledge gaps while maintaining your stronger areas.
If beginning with your most difficult subject makes it harder to start studying, complete a short and achievable warm-up task first. For example, review flashcards for 10 minutes before moving on to a more challenging topic.
Your HSC exam timetable should influence your study plan, particularly as October approaches.
Subjects with earlier exam dates may need to become a higher priority. You should also consider how much time you will have between exams. If two exams are scheduled close together, prepare for both well in advance rather than assuming you can revise everything during the gap.
Working backwards from each exam date can help you set realistic deadlines for:
Do not wait until one exam is over before beginning serious preparation for the next.
You do not necessarily need to revise the course in the order it was taught.
Before deciding what to study, complete a short diagnostic task. This could include:
Mark your work carefully and look for patterns. Are you forgetting key content, misreading questions, running out of time or struggling to apply what you know?
Your mistakes can show you what to study next more accurately than simply starting at the beginning of your textbook.
Not every topic requires the same amount of time. Focus first on areas that:
For content-heavy subjects, this might mean reviewing an important syllabus area before memorising smaller details. For Mathematics or Science subjects, it may mean strengthening a foundational concept that appears across several types of questions.
For English and other writing-based subjects, your first priority may be improving how you respond to the question, use evidence and structure an argument rather than simply memorising more content.
Always check the current syllabus and exam requirements for each course when planning your revision.
Every study session should begin with a clear task. “Study Biology” or “revise English” is too broad and can make it difficult to know where to start.
Choose a specific goal, such as:
Start with the task that requires the most concentration. Leave simpler activities, such as organising notes or reviewing flashcards, until later in the session.
Past HSC papers are valuable, but they are most effective when you have enough subject knowledge to attempt them properly.
A useful revision order is:
Completing full past papers too early may simply confirm that you have gaps. Targeted revision helps you address those gaps before testing your knowledge under exam conditions.
As the exams get closer, gradually increase the number of timed sections and full papers you complete.
Once you know what to study first, choose a method that requires you to recall or apply information.
Effective HSC study activities include:
Reading or highlighting notes may help you become familiar with the content, but it does not always show whether you can recall and apply it in an exam.
A mistake log can help you decide what to study each day.
Whenever you complete a practice question or paper, record:
Your mistakes might relate to knowledge, technique, timing or interpretation. By identifying the cause, you can choose a more useful next step.
For example, if you know the content but misread the question, rewriting your notes may not help. You may need to practise identifying directive verbs and breaking down exam questions instead.
Your weekly plan should give more time to high-priority subjects without neglecting the rest of your courses.
At the beginning of each week:
Avoid filling every available hour. A realistic plan that includes breaks, sleep and time away from study is more sustainable than an intensive schedule you cannot maintain.
HSC preparation is most effective when it is spread across weeks and months, rather than concentrated into a few days before each exam.
If your exams begin in October, start by building your understanding of the course and identifying knowledge gaps. As the exam period approaches, shift towards retrieval practice, exam-style questions and timed papers.
Even if you feel behind, avoid trying to revise everything at once. Begin with one high-priority topic, complete a specific task and use what you learn to choose your next step.
Consistent, focused study can still lead to meaningful improvement.
If you are unsure how to organise the weeks leading up to your exams, a structured revision resource can help you turn a large syllabus into manageable tasks.
The Excel 60 Days to Band 6 series provides an eight-week study strategy for selected HSC subjects. Each book includes a baseline assessment, weekly revision structure, reflection activities, exam strategies and HSC-style questions to help students focus their preparation.
Students can also use Success One HSC books to practise with past HSC examination papers, sample answers and marking guidance.
Whichever resources you choose, use them actively: attempt the questions, mark your work and revisit the areas where you lose marks.
Start with a subject that needs improvement, has an approaching exam or contains important topics you have not yet mastered. Use your results and practice-question performance to guide your decision.
The first exam should be a priority, but it should not take all your study time. Prepare early for subjects with exams close together and continue reviewing later subjects throughout your study schedule.
Daily practice can help if the subject requires ongoing skill development, but sessions do not need to be long. Balance challenging work with revision across your other subjects.
For many students, two or three subjects in a day is manageable. The right number depends on your available time, concentration and the type of tasks you need to complete. Focus on specific goals rather than trying to cover every subject every day.
Choose one specific, high-priority task and begin with active practice. For example, answer several questions on a weak topic, write a timed response or complete a section of a past paper.
You do not need to study every subject equally or revise the syllabus in order. The best place to begin is the area where focused work is most likely to improve your performance.
Use your exam timetable, assessment feedback and practice results to identify your priorities. Then work through one clear task at a time.
Knowing what to study first will not only make your HSC preparation more effective. It can also make the months leading up to October feel far more manageable.
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