HSC Classical Greek Continuers exam-day guide
HSC Classical Greek Continuers · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID and exam admission details
Bring the identification your school or exam centre requires and any admission notice or timetable slip. The exact ID requirement varies by centre, so confirm with the provider what is accepted.
Black or blue pens plus spare
Write translations and essays in dark ink so scans and marking are clear. Pack at least two working pens and check ink levels the night before.
Pencils and eraser
Useful for annotating passages, numbering lines, or filling multiple-choice bubbles if any section uses them. Confirm with the provider whether any section requires pencil specifically.
Printed dictionary policy
Some classical language exams allow a prescribed dictionary or word list. Do not assume: confirm with the provider whether a dictionary is permitted, which edition, and whether it must be unannotated.
Clear water bottle and snack
Stay hydrated and keep energy steady for a long reading-and-writing paper. Check centre rules on bottle labels and food in the exam room.
Approved timing device
A simple analogue or non-smart watch helps you pace unseen translation and essay sections. Smart devices are normally prohibited; confirm with the provider what is allowed.
Know the paper structure and mark allocation
Reread the syllabus and past-paper format so you know how many sections there are, which texts or authors are examined, and where the marks sit.
Prepare set-text and vocabulary revision sheets
Bring condensed notes for last-minute review: key vocabulary, principal parts, set-text quotations, and stylistic terms you plan to use.
Plan your timing per section
Decide in advance how many minutes each section gets, including reading time and a final check. Write the plan on your revision sheet and rehearse it on a timed practice paper.
Sleep and travel plan
Confirm start time, room, and travel route. Aim for a full night's sleep and arrive early enough to settle without rushing.
Plan the day
Do one full timed practice paper under exam conditions, then mark it honestly against the criteria. Identify the two weakest areas and spend the remaining days on those rather than rereading everything.
Review set texts: reread passages in translation and Greek, note key quotations, characterisation, and stylistic features you can cite. Check principal parts and high-frequency vocabulary lists.
Practise unseen translation technique: break sentences at connectives, identify main verbs, and draft a fluent English version before polishing. Time yourself on short passages.
Do light revision only: skim vocabulary cards, set-text notes, and your timing plan. Prepare pens, ID, water, and clothing. Confirm the start time and room with the provider if unsure.
Stop studying early enough to sleep well. Avoid learning new material the night before; consolidate what you already know.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive early, and do a short warm-up: read a familiar Greek passage aloud or skim ten vocabulary items. Do not attempt a full practice paper.
Read the instructions and check the number of sections and marks. Note your time allocation for each section and start with the section you are most confident in only if the paper allows it.
For translation, write a literal first draft then smooth the English without adding content not in the Greek. For set-text questions, answer the question asked, cite evidence, and use precise terminology.
Check that every question has an answer, that translations make sense in English, and that you have not left blank sections. Correct obvious slips but avoid wholesale rewriting under time pressure.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from supervisors and the provider about start times, permitted materials, and leaving the room. If a rule is unclear, ask before the paper begins rather than guessing.
Bring the identification the centre requires and place it on your desk if instructed. The exact ID policy differs between providers, so confirm with the provider in advance.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, or other electronic devices into the exam room unless the provider explicitly permits them. If in doubt, leave them outside or ask a supervisor.
Confirm with the provider whether a dictionary, word list, or set-text booklet is allowed, and whether annotations are permitted. Using unauthorised materials can lead to penalties.
Breaks and toilet visits are usually supervised and may not extend your writing time. Confirm with the provider how breaks are handled in your centre.
Marks are awarded for accuracy and clarity: translate faithfully, answer the question set, and support set-text responses with evidence. Do not pad answers with irrelevant material.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or you feel unwell, raise your hand and tell a supervisor immediately rather than waiting until the end.
Academic honesty applies throughout: no communication with other candidates during the paper and no sharing of paper content afterwards until the provider permits it.