Automotive 2015 HSC exam pack (archive)

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• understanding the correct sequence for tightening wheel nuts (Q.16 (a))
• identifying that the appropriate tool to tighten wheel nuts was a torque wrench (Q.16 (b))
• identifying at least one possible faulty component (Q.17 (a))
• identifying a basic fault-finding procedure (Q.17 (b))
• identifying a range of communication strategies when dealing with complaints (Q.18 (a))
• identifying sources of workshop noise (Q.18 (b))
• identifying at least two of the vehicle body features using general terminology (Q.19 (a))
• listing a range of components and equipment required for joining and connecting wires (Q.20)
• understanding that a hybrid is a vehicle that has two methods for delivering power (Q.21 (a))
• demonstrating a basic understanding of a hybrid vehicle (Q.21 (b)).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• providing a justification as to why wheel nuts need to be tightened to a specified tension (Q.16 (b))
• justifying why the faulty component may be causing the continuous clicking sound when attempting to start the engine (Q.17 (a))
• outlining the range of test tools/equipment required to carry out fault-finding (Q.17 (b))
• indicating the ideal test conditions that would assist in isolating the possible cause of the fault (Q.17 (b))
• proposing effective strategies to reduce the impact of noise on the surrounding environment (Q.18 (b))
• naming vehicle components using industry-specific terminology (Q.19 (a))
• justifying why the electrical components were selected to install the driving lamps (Q.20)
• providing an explanation of how energy is generated and stored in a hybrid vehicle (Q.21 (b))
• using industry-specific terminology (Q.21 (b)).

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• providing an overview of how the automotive manufacturing industry has affected the global economy
• understanding that there has being a considerable reduction of manufacturing in Australia
• describing how the decline of the manufacturing industries has affected jobs and the economy.

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• linking the impact of current issues within the automotive manufacturing industry to other industries
• understanding how the automotive service and repair industry is affected by the reduction of automotive vehicle manufacturing in Australia
• identifying technological, economic and environmental benefits with the emergence of new automotive manufacturing industries
• expanding their responses using industry-specific terminology.

Candidates showed strength in these areas:

• recognising basic features of a diesel engine (Q.23 (a))
• understanding the difference between a diesel and a petrol engine (Q.23 (b))
• outlining the combustion process in a diesel engine (Q.23 (b))
• demonstrating a basic understanding of technologies being applied to modern diesel engines (Q.23 (c)).

Candidates need to improve in these areas:

• providing relevant examples of why diesel engines are increasing in popularity (Q.23 (a))
• using industry-specific terminology when outlining the difference between a diesel and a petrol engine (Q.23 (b))
• linking the technological improvements of diesel operating systems design to increased efficiencies (Q.23 (c))
• providing examples of how new technologies are being applied to diesel operating systems (Q.23 (c)).