Hii! Im currently studying for a HAST exam, does anyone have any tips on how to study for it??? I really want to get in and I've been practising, but does anyone have any interesting (and easily rememberalble) tricks to improve on their writing or reading? Thank you!
My biggest tip for the HAST ( when I studied for it) is not to over complicate answering- especially for general ability and the reading. bc it’s all still multiple choice- generally there r only 2 somewhat correct answers w the rest being bogus. The image below is from entry into Y11-12 HAST. It asked “ describe the character of this cartoon”, answers being: cynical, subtle, simple-minded and idealistic. Most ppl including myself make the mistake of choosing cynical, however the answer is simple-minded. In a firm unstable like this where u get 2 easy options, just pick the one that’s undoubtedly right: “ simple-minded”, and ignore any “ implications”/”whatever the text/story is alluding towards”. Sometimes the answer is ironically the most straightforward/ requires little critical thinking if that makes sense. So basically read the question very carefully, underline key words and make sure you understand what the question is asking for.
another tip I have is for the written response—> have a pre-prepared essay and discursive/ or intertwine it. For e.g I think I once got a question on something like “ democracy”/ “ freedom of speech and if it truly exists in society or whatever”: have a pre-prepared motif—> e.g art/ the love of painting and cater to that topic. So for e.g “ canvas allow us to gain a glimpse of other ppl’s lives and perspectives, providing us the brushes to paint our feelings”, however, “ we are constructed by a frame, hatched by the demands of the gallery and public eye”. That was a rlly bad example—> but at least prepare a motif to imbricate/ show a level of sophistication and creativity. I recommend something artsy like painting or music.
anyways this is getting long, but I wish u luck! Hope you do well
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