1. Home
2. HSC
3. HSC Exams
4. 2014 HSC Exam papers
5. 2014 HSC Notes from the Marking Centre — Construction

2014 Notes from the Marking Centre – Construction

Introduction

This document has been produced for the teachers and candidates of the Stage 6 Construction course. It contains comments on candidate responses to the 2014 Higher School Certificate examination, highlighting their strengths in particular parts of the examination and indicating where candidates need to improve.

This document should be read along with:

• the Construction Curriculum Framework Stage 6 Syllabus
• the 2014 Higher School Certificate Construction examination
• the marking guidelines
• Advice for students sitting for HSC VET examinations
• Advice for HSC students about examinations
• other support documents developed by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW to assist in the teaching and learning of Construction in Stage 6.

Section II

Question 16

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• providing features of pre-optional checks and PPE (part (a))
• using relevant industry terminology
• providing a range of clean-up practices (part (b)).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• linking relevant clean-up practices to the conclusion of a working day (part (b))
• understanding WHS regulations, particularly the importance of having the White Card qualification (part (c)).

Question 17

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• labelling the parts of a plane (part (a))
• outlining the major aspects of maintenance (part (b)).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• relating maintenance requirements to the construction industry rather than the school environment (part (b)).

Question 18

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• naming the features on the site plan (part (a))
• listing the most relevant features that indicate the location of the dwelling (part (a)).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• using the correct formulas and identifying m² (part (b))
• setting out calculations in a logical sequence (part (b))
• explaining the main reasons for needing accurate calculations and supporting the explanation with relevant examples (part (c)).

Question 19

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• providing a range of benefits, including relevant examples.

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• integrating examples to support the explanation.

Question 20

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• setting out calculations with the correct answer (parts (a) and (b))
• mentioning safety in relation to Australian standards (AS) generally as part of the quality assurance process (part (c)).

Section III

Question 21

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• understanding how waste is managed in the construction industry
• describing environmental threats caused by the construction industry
• using industry terminology
• providing relevant examples.

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• understanding how to implement controls to minimise hazards
• covering all aspects of the question.

Section IV

Question 22

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• identifying a wide range of potential hazards (part (a))
• using precise industry terminology
• explaining actions that meet WHS standards (part (b))
• demonstrating understanding of the purpose of WHS legislation in protecting workers (part (c))
• making reference to Australian Standards, MSDS, SWMS, PPE, training and SAFE work practices (parts (b) and (c)).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• providing relevant examples
• linking the WHS legislation to the protection of workers on a construction site.