Economics is a very content dense subject. It requires memorising lots of concepts. Over the last few years, the popularity of Economics amongst VCE students has been rising.
What score did you achieve in VCE Economics?
I scored an ATAR of 99.80. I earned a raw study score of 50 in VCE Economics.
How did you study for VCE Economics? What techniques did you use to study?
The most important thing I did was choose subjects I was genuinely passionate about. I really enjoyed economics, which makes my studying much easier and more interesting. You’ll find yourself thinking about the content outside of class or reading economic-related news, and that curiosity really adds up.
Mindset also plays a huge role. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others, but that just leads to unnecessary stress. There will (almost) always be someone who scores higher—after all, only a handful of students out of tens of thousands achieve a perfect ATAR. Focus on your own progress, and try to enjoy the journey. You’ll perform much better when you’re not overwhelmed by comparison.
What is your advice for VCE Economics students for the SACs?
For subjects like Economics, it’s essential to stay updated with real-world economic conditions. Knowing the current cash rate, unemployment figures, GDP growth, and recent budgetary or monetary policies can really elevate your SAC responses. Economics is deeply connected to real-world events and showing that awareness helps you stand out. Your teacher also wants you to do well in SACs, so if they mention something is important, you should focus your revision on that topic.
What is your advice for VCE Economics students for the end of year exams?
The VCE Economics exam consists of two sections: multiple choice and short answer. During reading time, you should aim to mentally work through most of the multiple-choice questions, as they’re generally quite manageable. This allows you to dedicate the bulk of your writing time to the short answer section, which is far more time-consuming and requires detailed, well-structured responses
Past VCAA exam papers are your best friends. They show you exactly how content is assessed and train you to work within time constraints. However, pace yourself, don’t start using all the past papers too early in the year, or you might run out of quality resources during peak revision periods. On the flip side, don’t leave them all to the last minute either. Also, take note that the exam paper is ‘different’ each year. For example, when I took the 2021 Economics exam, we experienced deflation, so the questions were oriented around how to increase inflation. The questions in this year’s exam will most likely be about how to decrease inflation. In this case, you should not spend your revision time writing response about tackling low inflation, as it is very unlikely to be tested.
You should not do any exam papers the day before the actual exam, because it is already too late!
Most importantly, focus on understanding, not just repetition. You should be able to explain why an answer is correct, not just get to the right number or phrase. For Economics, in particular, having a strong grasp of current monetary and fiscal policies is crucial—they’re always heavily tested.
What resources did you use for VCE Economics?
I often used Google and YouTube to clarify difficult concepts. These days, AI tools like ChatGPT are incredibly helpful for breaking down complex ideas in a simple, understandable way. The AFR (Australian Financial Review) is also a good resource to see some economics analysis. Definitely take advantage of them!
How did you balance study with the rest of your life during VCE?
Looking back, I genuinely enjoyed my Year 12 experience. One of the best things I did was give myself one full day off each week. That rest day helped me stay refreshed and it didn’t negatively affect my performance at all. In fact, it made me more productive and focused on the other six days. No one can study 10+ hours every single day and stay mentally sharp. Balance is key.
As for general tips: listen actively in class, do your homework, and stay consistent. You don’t need fancy tricks—just showing up and engaging makes a huge difference.
Any other comments you would like to share?
Don’t underestimate the power of mindset, balance, and consistency. You don’t need to be perfect, but you do need to be persistent. Find your own interests, stay curious, and believe in yourself! When looking back, most of my friends think VCE is the happiest and most fulfilling period of life they have ever had.
