Preparing for the UCAT and Year 12 exams simultaneously can be a daunting task for many high school students. The biggest hurdle many students around Australia face when trying to study for the UCAT is balancing it with their Year 12 exams, no matter which state they’re in – whether you’re sitting the HSC, VCE, QCE, SACE, WACE, TCE, or NTCE, the struggle of balancing your studies with the UCAT is real!
However, with proper planning and organisation, it is possible to excel in both exams.
Here are 5 tips to help you balance your studies and achieve success in the UCAT and Year 12 exams.
Plan and Prioritise your UCAT & Year 12 Studies
The first step in balancing your studies is to plan your study schedule in advance. Make a study schedule that takes into account your Year 12 syllabus, UCAT syllabus and also your daily commitments. It is also important to prioritise your studies and focus on the most important topics first.
For example, if you have a Year 12 exam coming up soon, it would be wise to dedicate more time to preparing for that exam. This will help you to manage your time and energy effectively and ensure that you are making the most of your study time.
By starting your study early in the year, for both UCAT and your Year 12 exams, you will ensure that you are not as stressed for time. The UCAT, sat in July, runs at around the same time as HSC Trial exams in NSW, for example, and someone who leaves their HSC and UCAT studies to the last minute will find it impossible to study for both.
However, those who start early will have finished the bulk of their UCAT study by this point in time, and will only need to do some light revision to keep their techniques fresh. Meanwhile students who have spaced out their HSC study will have learnt their content, written their essays, and done a healthy dose of past papers, and will only need to revise and prepare for their exams. This will help ensure that they ace both their Trials and the UCAT.
Use the Right UCAT Resources
Another key aspect of balancing your studies is to make use of available resources. There are numerous UCAT resources available online such as Medify and Medentry, both of which offer comprehensive UCAT preparation materials. It is also important to make use of other resources such as textbooks and practice papers. These resources will help you to familiarise yourself with the UCAT format and also to practice your problem-solving skills. Utilising these resources will also help you to feel more confident and prepared when it comes to taking the UCAT.
When seeking UCAT resources, there are a few things to keep an eye out for:
- How highly rated is this resource? Check their ratings and reviews on multiple different platforms.
- How many questions and mock exams will I get access to? Some websites offer comprehensive guides and walk-through courses, but have barely any practice questions for students to go ahead with their own study.
- What other features do they offer? Do they offer written and video guides? Do they run any mock exams or tutorials?
Find The Best UCAT Tutoring Course
While there are plenty of brilliant online resources for the UCAT, they are still not enough, on their own, for most students. These websites lack the personalised support that you can receive from a tutor who can understand your strengths and weaknesses, and guide your personal study – making sure that you are efficient with your UCAT study, and thus able to spend more time studying for Year 12 exams.
Think of a student doing Extension 2 Maths for HSC – no matter how great your textbook is, or how many past papers you have access to, students still have over 10 hours of Maths classes every week with an experienced Maths teacher. Imagine your school gave you a textbook, some past papers, and told you to prepare for the Extension 2 Maths exam on your own?
Tutors can provide you with personalised guidance and feedback, which can help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses. They can also provide you with tips and strategies for tackling the UCAT. The personalised nature of tutoring means that you can work on your specific areas of weakness and get the support you need to excel in the UCAT.
At Beyond Tutoring, our UCAT Course provides you with intensive support in all 5 sections through small group classes (online or in-person) of 6 students, while also providing a full Medify subscription. Students also get additional personalised 1-on-1 lessons to focus on areas where they need help. We run fortnightly online Q&A sessions where students can get support with any issues that they have, and we run in-person mock exams at our centre!
Through the support that our program offers, students are able to make better use of their time, hence dedicating a better balance to their Year 12 studies and ensuring that they excel in both exams.
Interested? Enrol today!
Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle while studying for the UCAT and Year 12 exams is also essential. This means getting enough sleep, exercise, and eating a balanced diet. A healthy lifestyle will not only help you to feel better physically but also to maintain a positive attitude towards your studies. It’s also essential to manage stress, this can be achieved by taking regular breaks, doing physical activity, spending time with friends and family, and engaging in hobbies and activities you enjoy.
Learn more about how you can maintain a healthy lifestyle through this blog here.
Stay Positive and Take Breaks
Lastly, it is important to remember to take breaks and not to overstress yourself. Taking regular breaks can help you to stay focused and avoid burnout. It’s also essential to keep in mind that both the UCAT and Year 12 exams are important, but they are not the only defining factors of your future. It’s important to stay positive and motivated throughout the process. Surround yourself with a support system, whether it’s family, friends, or a mentor, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it!
Balancing the demands of studying for the UCAT and Year 12 can be challenging, but it is not impossible. By planning your study schedule, making use of available resources, attending UCAT tutoring, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and taking regular breaks, you will be able to manage your time and energy effectively. Remember to prioritise your studies and focus on the most important topics first. With proper planning and organisation, you will be able to excel in both exams and achieve your goals.
