How Tom Achieved an HSC English Mark Improvement of 56%

📈 Mark improvement of 56% in English

Tom learned how to write an English essay, break down texts and effectively study for HSC English

🎉 Received Early Entry into Macquarie University

Tom successfully received an early entry offer from Macquarie University

👔 Dream Course B. Commerce/B. Arts

Tom gained entry into Macquarie University to study a double degree of Commerce and Arts

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The Challenge

Prior to tutoring, Tom hadn’t prioritised school and as a result was struggling with writing essays and knowing how to study effectively. Before assessments, Tom would do the bare minimum he needed to prepare, which resulted in a weak understanding of his English texts and poor marks. He realised this was a pressing issue when he only received 15% in his Term 2 English assessment.

I wasn’t prepared, I was being a classic teenager just living life and not really worried about school.

Key Problems

👨‍💻 Tom didn’t know the most effective way to study sitting at a desk wasn’t working for him, so he needed to find an alternative

📝 Tom was memorising the wrong things, he had only memorised quotes without developing analysis which weakened his essays

😞 Tom wasn’t getting adequate feedback at school and felt unmotivated by his teacher’s approach when really, he just wanted some extra support

Our Approach

Tom’s tutor, Hannah, first tried to build up Tom’s confidence in English by getting him to write one paragraph at a time instead of full essays. He would then reflect on what he would’ve done differently with his previous paragraphs to create a full essay that incorporated this feedback. Hannah helped develop Tom’s textual analysis skills by introducing him to key English structures such as TEE tables which helped him to organise techniques, textual examples and analysis.

Hannah also adapted her pace to suit Tom’s needs and helped him memorise English content through effective memorisation techniques. As Tom didn’t like traditional study techniques, he also began making songs out of his notes instead!

Focus

  • Build up motivation
  • Better textual analysis
  • Memorising quotes
  • Improving assessment marks
  • Learning style
  • Effective note-taking

Strategies

  • Adapting pace to suit Tom
  • TEE table structure
  • Memory palace technique
  • Practice questions and feedback
  • Making songs out of notes
  • Handwriting and condensing notes

Flexible Pace

TEE Tables

Memory Palace Technique

Practice Questions and Feedback

The Result

With a focus on building Tom’s confidence, study skills and developing his textual analysis skills in English, Tom made a fantastic turnaround from 15% to 71% at the end of the HSC.

He developed motivation and discipline to help propel his marks and get him into his dream course of Commerce and Arts!

56%

Increase in HSC Advanced English results

99%

Of customers agree our tutors are well prepared

97%

Of customers believe our tutors build great rapport

94%

Of customers increased their confidence

Case Study Graphics Tom

With Art of Smart, Tom saw a 56% improvement in HSC Advanced English!

Art of Smart’s English tutoring is amazing. Hannah would just drill things into my head and then eventually I got it. She also provided emotional support when I was feeling very upset about exams she would calm me down and say one thing at a time which helped motivate me.

Helping high school students thrive since 2009

We know school isn’t just about getting the grades, it’s about staying happy, healthy and answering the difficult question, “What am I going to do with my life when I finish school, and how do I get there?”

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