2026 WACE Drama exam: What to learn from last year's mistakes

WACE Drama's written exam is on Thursday 5 November at 2 pm, WA time.

Last year's written mean was 68.37%. I've gone through the 2025 examiner report and marking key. The useful takeaway: knowing your play is only half the job. You have to turn that knowledge into a specific acting, directing or design decision.

Here are four things to practise before Thursday.

1. Question 1(b): Different scenes need different design choices

Where an answer loses marks: The question asked for a different choice for Scenes 1, 2 and 10. The key limited repeated choices in the other scenes to one mark.

What you needed: Three distinct, justified choices, each connected to that scene's setting.

My practice tip: make a three-row plan before you write. Scene, choice, effect. If two rows could be swapped without changing the explanation, you probably haven't made them specific enough. A design choice needs to help the audience understand where or when the action is happening.

2. Question 2(a): Explain the relationship through voice

Where an answer loses marks: Both Garage man and Alice needed attention. Naming a vocal feature without explaining its connection to their relationship was insufficient for the top level.

What you needed: A precise vocal choice for each character, supported by the scene and an explanation of the relationship it communicates.

Try reading your answer aloud. Could an actor actually follow the direction? “Sound angry” is a starting impression; a controlled pace, clipped articulation or a deliberate pause is something you can rehearse. Select the aspect that fits the question and explain its purpose.

3. Question 2(b): Show changing motivation through movement

Where an answer loses marks: This question covered four scenes. Repeating one movement choice across them triggered the same one-mark restriction for the repeats.

What you needed: Different movement choices that reveal what Alice wants in each scene, with textual support.

My revision drill: write the character's immediate objective above each scene. Then choose a movement that makes that objective visible. Do not start with a random gesture and hunt for a reason afterwards.

4. Section Two: Rehearsal is not the finished performance

Where students went wrong: The report says rehearsal answers were weaker. It also warns against plot-summary introductions and diagrams that merely label objects.

What they should have done: Answer the requested role and task directly. For rehearsal, explain the process you would use to develop the performance. For an annotated diagram, explain why each significant choice matters.

A useful self-check: underline every sentence that actually answers the question. If most of your paragraph retells the play, rewrite it around a decision, a relevant moment and its intended effect.

These are revision suggestions based on last year's paper, not predictions of this year's questions.

Sources: 2025 SCSA Drama examiner report and 2025 marking key.

Sorry guys, shameless plug, I gotta do this. I'm the founder of ATARMAXXING, so take a look at the WACE Drama written practice exams with answer guides if you want fresh unseen-text practice. You can preview the Drama pack before buying. These resources cover the written component; rehearse your practical work with your teacher.

Discuss this WACE Drama exam breakdown on the subject board.