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2026 WACE Health Studies exam: What to learn from last year's mistakes
WACE Health Studies is on Monday 16 November at 9:20 am, WA time.
Last year's mean was 61.67%. The examiner report highlights a familiar gap: some answers stayed generic instead of applying the content to the particular context.
I've checked the report and marking key. These four lessons include what strong answers did well, because repeating those habits matters too.
1. Short answers: Make the stimulus part of your explanation
Where students went wrong: Some responses showed limited ability to apply syllabus knowledge in different situations.
What they should have done: Address the supplied scenario and use relevant examples.
My revision test: cover the question after writing your answer. Could someone work out which group, issue and setting you were asked about? If the paragraph could fit any health question unchanged, rewrite it with an action or explanation that belongs to this scenario.
2. Question 21(c): Describe three advocacy strategies
Where an answer loses marks: The key distinguishes describing a strategy from merely outlining it. This part was actually a relative strength in the report.
What you needed: Three strategies applied to chronic conditions affecting Australian First Nations Peoples. The key included approaches such as raising awareness, lobbying and developing partnerships.
My practice drill: give each strategy a different action. State who would act, what they would do and how that addresses the scenario. Avoid writing the same awareness campaign under three different strategy names. Keep the example specific and culturally responsive, rather than making assumptions about every community.
3. Question 26(b): Apply Maslow to secure employment
Where an answer loses marks: Naming three levels does not explain how employment can fulfil them. The report identifies this part as another strength.
What you needed: Describe a relevant employment connection for each of three levels. Income supporting food and shelter is one physiological-needs example.
My drill: make three separate chains from an aspect of employment to a particular need. Check that the examples are distinct. A good chain explains the connection; it doesn't just place the words “secure employment” next to a memorised definition.
4. Question 27(b): Compare using the actual figures
Where an answer loses marks: Full marks required infographic data, with three comparisons between Australia and one developing country.
What you needed: Compare each selected indicator directly, keeping the country choice consistent. Question 27 was particularly well answered overall.
My answer check: pair both figures in one sentence, include the unit and state the direction of the difference. Check whether the source uses a percentage, years or a rate per population. Treat the figures as the exam's supplied data, rather than assuming they are current statistics.
Before finishing a practice paper, check the number of requested examples, levels or strategies against what you actually supplied. A detailed answer to only part of the task still leaves part of the task unanswered.
Sources: 2025 examiner report and 2025 marking key. Practice drills are my suggestions; the key-based sections explain requirements rather than claiming these were widespread errors.
Sorry guys, shameless plug, I gotta do this. I'm the founder of ATARMAXXING, so take a look at the WACE Health Studies practice exams with answer guides if you want more stimulus-based practice. You can preview the Health Studies pack before buying. Practise applying the concepts, then mark whether your examples actually fit.
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