Repeating 3/4 Subjects

[Srd2000]

Hello, I did a couple of 3/4 subjects a year early. I felt that I did well in physics and chem, but in methods I cooked the exam. So overall, how worth it is it repeating these subjects? Would it be easier? Has anyone done this with positive results? Another thing to throw a spanner in the works is that I have applied to do an extension study; if I was to get accepted, would it be more worthwhile repeating my subjects and not being able to do the extension or repeat some and do the extension?  Thank you! 

[Quantum44]

Well since you are only doing three subjects next year, it wouldn’t hurt to repeat methods as even doing four subjects in year 12 is still a comfortable workload. I think a guy at my school repeated methods last year and went from a 41 —> 48 raw so it definitely can work out. Only downside is that you’d be very bored and the temptation would be to bludge methods, leading to a poorer study score. Still, it really depends on your results. The methods exam 2 this year was really hard so you might have gone better than you expected 

As for the extension, if you did get accepted, you probably wouldn’t bother with repeating methods. You can only have six subjects count towards your ATAR so it would be a waste. You can secure a solid 10%er through your extension subject and focus on making sure your other three subjects next year make it into your top 4.

[Srd2000]

Thanks for that. Because the methods exam was agreeably worse in quality and harder than basically every previous years, would doing next years exam and course be more beneficial because the exam would be easier/more balanced?

Also with chem and physics, those exams were a bit weird I feel too. Physics was easier than expected and chem was very qualitative. Would repeating them be better because the exams would be harder and again more balanced? Plus the bonus effect of the study design being in the second year so it is easier to expect what will be there. Thanks

[Syndicate]

Thanks for that. Because the methods exam was agreeably worse in quality and harder than basically every previous years, would doing next years exam and course be more beneficial because the exam would be easier/more balanced?

Also with chem and physics, those exams were a bit weird I feel too. Physics was easier than expected and chem was very qualitative. Would repeating them be better because the exams would be harder and again more balanced? Plus the bonus effect of the study design being in the second year so it is easier to expect what will be there. Thanks

Honestly, if I was in your position I would have definitely done methods next year. I am quite sure you get the highest study score from the two years, so just in case you do worse next year, you will end up getting the score you will get this year.

I think that next year's physics and chemistry exams will be much more difficult, as that'll be the second year of the new study design. The only benefit you'll have is that you'll be ahead of the class at most times, and have no difficulty in basically revising the content. Although physics is quite repetitive with their exam questions (you can predict physics questions easily)... you cannot predict anything for chemistry or methods.

[keltingmeith]

Thanks for that. Because the methods exam was agreeably worse in quality and harder than basically every previous years, would doing next years exam and course be more beneficial because the exam would be easier/more balanced?

Also with chem and physics, those exams were a bit weird I feel too. Physics was easier than expected and chem was very qualitative. Would repeating them be better because the exams would be harder and again more balanced? Plus the bonus effect of the study design being in the second year so it is easier to expect what will be there. Thanks

Don't try reading into exam trends, it never works out.

[sarangiya]

Thanks for that. Because the methods exam was agreeably worse in quality and harder than basically every previous years, would doing next years exam and course be more beneficial because the exam would be easier/more balanced?

Also with chem and physics, those exams were a bit weird I feel too. Physics was easier than expected and chem was very qualitative. Would repeating them be better because the exams would be harder and again more balanced? Plus the bonus effect of the study design being in the second year so it is easier to expect what will be there. Thanks

First and foremost, I wouldn't judge your performance on the nature of the exam. Whether the exam was 'harder' or 'easier' than previous years (which is absurd in my opinion, considering how subjective it is), it is the cohort that determines your study score. Likewise, it is impossible to tell what the next year's exam will be like, let alone the caliber of the students undertaking the subject in that year.

Look, obviously repeating a subject can be wildly beneficial. It can also have very little merit. The difference is the effort you put into it. It is much harder to improve towards the top end of the competition, and if you make few adjustments to how you performed this year, chances are your scores will be very similar.
Also, it is boring to repeat a subject. I wagged a whole semester of classes of Japanese because I felt I could make better use of my time. The second semester I went almost purely because I got close with a girl in that class. Orientation for psychology so far has also been a relatively painful experience. But, I think that kind of mindset is weak. It can be interesting if you make it.

If I was in your position, I would wait til results are out. If you go well in all, don't bother repeating. If you have scores you feel were below your expectations, then you could repeat them. Keep in mind also that with English definitely in your top 4, only three other subjects are significant enough to really worry about. You could be pushing specialist and Japanese to the side, which is okay if you're not confident in them, but if they end up trumping your repeated subjects the time repeating is wasted. My immediate thoughts are that I wouldn't repeat all three, but what the hell. Why not lmao.

I am quite sure you get the highest study score from the two years, so just in case you do worse next year, you will end up getting the score you will get this year.

Correct.

Good luck and if you have any questions about repeating or Japanese SL feel free to shoot me a message

[Srd2000]

Awesome, thanks everyone. Very much appreciated 
My methods class was good, it had a strong top end. Physics and chem were very spread and balanced; there was like 4~5 strong people and 4~5 weaker people in each.

How'd your lady-friend, sarangiya?  Haha

[Benny G]

hey guys, im really considering repeating one vce subject from those who have already done this what reason did you guys give when applying for a school like VSV or any other distanced education place
thanks!