For english, I got 100% at the end of year 11 exam. Did not study one minute of the year
. I decided "screw this" and went up to Advanced at the start of yr 12, still easy stuff IMO.
English is different because there aren't any "dot points" you learn, like science subjects and similar. You need to know how to analyse a text, and that is not a factual skill, it's more imaginative\intuitive based than factual based. Some people have the skills, some people don't. The best people learn them and do great regardless.
Still, what you want to know is:
*The texts that you'll be studying - everything about them. Their meaning, the techniques used, all of it. Not as hard as it sounds, study guides are available if you can't get the jist of the texts yourself. Most of the board of studies material is pretty simple compared to what they could give you, considering depth of meaning and such. Someone mentioned quotes, good example of what you need to know.
*What the syllabus WANTS you to know regaurding the text, e.g. for AoS, physical journeys is what we had to relate to the Peter Skrzynecki poetry. In this, just know how the text RELATES to the concept of physical journeys and you'll be fine. The same applies to comparitive study of texts & context, critical study of texts and the representation & text modules. Just know what they want from you.
*Techniques. Learning about english techniques is a good idea, because school never really teaches you much of them during HSC (they assume you know enough). If you know a wide range of textual techniques, than you can apply these in your essays and suprise the markers, for easy marks. Still, only within the boundaries of the question asked!
*Learn, at least, how to write an english essay. Not really "study" per se, but it will help you nonetheless. Take note of the questions asked, how they relate to the text at hand and the answer will come flowing out.