What happens in an Exam Preparation Workshop?
Parents often ask us what actually happens inside a Hendersons' Exam Preparation Workshop.
While each workshop differs slightly depending on the subject area and year level, the overall structure remains consistent and is designed to maximise both learning and exam readiness.
Designed by Experienced Teachers
All Hendersons workshops are designed by experienced educators and refined over many years using feedback from thousands of students and families.
Whether delivered face-to-face or online, students receive exactly the same high-quality content and learning experience.
Exam Preparation Workshop Structure
Most workshops consist of one to four sessions delivered across consecutive weekends or a few days apart during school holiday periods.
A typical session runs for approximately 3.5 hours, including a short break.
Welcome & Expectations
Each session begins with an introduction from the teacher.
Students are guided through:
Learning objectives
Key concepts
Workshop expectations
Skills to be developed
This helps students understand the purpose of the session and what they can expect throughout the day.
Interactive Learning
Students receive a detailed workshop booklet containing:
Theory and explanations
Practice activities
Exam-style questions
Space for notes and working
Workshops combine:
Explicit teaching of concepts
Guided practice
Independent application
Collaborative discussion
Teachers regularly model solutions and help students understand how successful candidates approach different question types.
Exam Strategy and Technique
Throughout the workshop, students learn practical exam skills such as:
Time management
Reading questions efficiently
Recognising common traps
Planning extended responses
Managing exam pressure
These skills are often just as important as the content itself.
Timed Assessment
At the end of each session, students complete a timed task using questions or prompts similar to those found in real entrance examinations.
This gives students valuable experience applying their learning under realistic conditions.
Parent Feedback
The final 15 minutes of every workshop include
parent feedback.
Parents are invited into the classroom or virtual session to hear directly from the teacher about:
Topics covered
Areas of student focus
Next steps
Suggestions for home support
Additional Resources
Students leave with comprehensive workshop booklets, bonus practice materials and additional exam-style questions that can be used for continued preparation at home.
