HSC Biology used to be one of my least favourite subjects - I relied on memorising and rereading notes. I constantly questioned the importance of some of the topics we were learning. But when I started actually to understand and apply Biology rather than rote-learning, I realised there was much more to the subject that I initially thought. And that’s when I found a passion for it, and eventually landed a Band 6!

If you’re in the same boat (where HSC Biology feels dry and unexciting), here are 5 tips to help you start loving and succeeding in Biology.

1. Learn to write good notes

The biggest mistake many students make, is underutilising the syllabus provided by NESA. The HSC Biology syllabus doesn’t exist just to help the teachers know what to teach next - you should be using it as well.

The syllabus details everything you can possibly be asked in an exam scenario, structured by inquiry questions and dot-points. In other words, if you write high-quality notes based on the syllabus structure, you’ve got the most comprehensive set of study notes. This goes a long way when it comes to exam preparation.

Here are 4 tips to write high-quality notes:

Define key terms under the dot point
Explain the concept in your own words. Use mnemonics and silly analogies if it helps you understand things better.
Keep it concise - use dot points over chunky, full sentences
Include visual elements - this makes your notes easier to digest when reviewing. Examples of visual elements include:
1. Mind maps: Link scattered concepts within the module or throughout different modules
2. Tree diagram: Organise hierarchical structures
3. Flow chart: Outline sequences
4. Tables: Compare and contrast (this comes up in the HSC a lot!) aka similarities and differences
5. Annotated diagrams: Label and explain key structures

Here is an example of how I structured my own notes, and used visual elements:

For example: A table on the similarities and differences of DNA and RNA

Pro tip: Keep your notes visually appealing but not excessive. Something as simple as a structured colour palette (e.g., I used different shades of pink for module titles, headings, and subheadings) can boost motivation and make studying less tedious.

2. Master the art of effective memorising

Memorising truckloads of content is the notoriously hard part of Biology. However, it doesn’t have to be tedious and boring. There are great and effective memorisation tricks out there which use active recall, including:

Blurting: writing down all the information under a module/topic regardless of order or if it’s correct. Then, go back to your notes to find out what you’ve missed or gotten wrong.
Mnemonics: Create acronyms or rhymes to remember key processes
Flashcards: either online (I like Anki) or physical flashcards are extremely useful
Teaching others: if you’re revising with friends, teaching them will test your memory skills and your ability to clearly explain the topic

3. Use the traffic light system

There will be parts of Biology that you will understand better and parts that are more difficult to understand. Using the syllabus and the traffic light system will allow you to visually track your progress through the subject and identify what areas you should concentrate on more.

🔴 Red: I don’t understand this topic at all.

🟡 Yellow: I understand it somewhat but need revision.

🟢 Green: I fully understand and can apply it in an exam.

When revising, start from the red and yellow sections, and move your way through to the green.

An example of this can be seen below:

4. Do lots of practice questions

Biology is 50% knowledge and 50% exam skills. Doing practice questions are essential to success.

Here are some tips to effectively use practice questions:

Note the directive verb - this will show you the required level of depth and structure for your response.
Note the mark allocation - where is each mark going? You will learn how to assign each mark the more practice questions you do
Try to pinpoint what module(s) the question is targeting - examiners love to combine different aspects of the syllabus into one extended response question. This differentiates rote learners and those who have a thorough understanding of the subject.
Don’t chuck these practice questions away! Compile incorrect questions and revisit them before exams to ensure you don’t make the same mistakes.

Here’s an example of how I’d apply the first 3 tips from above:

Some other tips that I always recommend to my students include:

Handwrite your responses to train your hand muscles, since that how you will be assessed in the exam.
When doing practice questions that are longer, such as 6-10 markers, you can use dot points for time efficiency since your objective is getting the content correct. However, in the real exam, you must write full sentences.
The sample answers are not always the best. It’s the ‘minimum’ for a low band 6/band 5 response. Instead of using it as the ONLY solution, look at the keywords and logical structure used.
As you get more confident, answer the questions under timed conditions (1.5 minutes per mark allocated)

If you’re looking for more help with HSC Biology, you may even want to consider tutoring. Private or small-class tutoring such as Sydney Scholars, is a great way to get personalised feedback on your work and access to more practice questions.

5. Tips to do well in the exam

In an exam situation, it’s easy to get caught up in the time pressure and anxiety. Here are some quick tips to help you make the most of an exam:

For the tough 6-10 mark questions, plan your response before you start writing. This is what differentiates a Band 6 response from a Band 5. Even a quick outline in pencil off to the side of the page, will make your long response more cohesive.
For low-mark questions (e.g. 1-4 marks), use tables and dot points to be concise. Unlike other subjects, it’s acceptable to use different formats (where appropriate) when answering questions. Keep it short and sweet.
Remember case studies/ examples to demonstrate deeper knowledge.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you found this article helpful!

Need extra guidance? At Sydney Scholars Tutoring, our expert tutors provide tailored feedback, strategic exam preparation, and invaluable insights to help you achieve your best possible HSC Biology marks. Whether you need structured guidance or targeted improvement in weaker areas, we’re here to help.

5 Tips to Score a Band 6 in HSC Biology