Class of 2017 Discussion Thread!

[Aaron]

disturbing lack of banter

That sometimes is a good thing

Why don't you answer your own question to kick things off? What are your favourite subjects and what are you excited/nervous about?

[geminii]

So how's everyone enjoying year 12 now that we are a few weeks in? Any favourite subjects or upcoming SACs you guys are excited/nervous about? Since there is a disturbing lack of banter I'll say I like year 12 right now, although I think it is probably because there I have no SACs in the near future.

aaaaahh!! english sac on wednesday, language analysis!!!

does anyone know approx how many sacs we have in english??

[HopefulLawStudent]

aaaaahh!! english sac on wednesday, language analysis!!!

does anyone know approx how many sacs we have in english??

Six, I think (assuming I've counted right).

Good luck for your English SAC!

[Syndicate]

aaaaahh!! english sac on wednesday, language analysis!!!

does anyone know approx how many sacs we have in english??

usually 5-6 (2 x oral presentation (most schools only do one), language analysis, creative, text, and comparative)

So how's everyone enjoying year 12 now that we are a few weeks in? Any favourite subjects or upcoming SACs you guys are excited/nervous about? Since there is a disturbing lack of banter I'll say I like year 12 right now, although I think it is probably because there I have no SACs in the near future.

Got a chemistry SAC really soon. Tbh I am loving all my subjects right now (for some reason this also includes English  ), but if I were to select my favourite one, it would be UMEP maths. The subject is absolutely amazing and nothing like my other boring and repetitive maths subjects. Although there is quite a bit of terminology that I have to remember, but other than that I would say it's not really that hard compared to specialist. I also have quite a few SACs coming up in 3-4 weeks, so I'd better start preparing for them now  .

[Quantum44]

aaaaahh!! english sac on wednesday, language analysis!!!

does anyone know approx how many sacs we have in english??

Oh wow you already have a language analysis SAC, I thought everyone did the analytical text repsonse first?

[Quantum44]

Got a chemistry SAC really soon. Tbh I am loving all my subjects right now (for some reason this also includes English  ), but if I were to select my favourite one, it would be UMEP maths. The subject is absolutely amazing and nothing like my other boring and repetitive maths subjects. Although there is quite a bit of terminology that I have to remember, but other than that I would say it's not really that hard compared to specialist. I also have quite a few SACs coming up in 3-4 weeks, so I'd better start preparing for them now  .

Yeah I am thoroughly enjoying all my subjects as well and in particular specialist maths. Do you have to go to Melbourne Uni to do UMEP maths though?

[beverlycheeeee]

Hey people so I'm new and anyways, I'm finally in year 12 and I still don't understand how SACs and exams work because every teacher has like a different explanation. ;n; anyways, I've been constantly taking year 12 subjects throughout year 10 and 11, and I still don't understand like how SACs work. I always freak out during exams, and get like bad scores and my friends say SACs and school work like projects and stuff will help me? someone pls help ;; thanks

[Quantum44]

Hey people so I'm new and anyways, I'm finally in year 12 and I still don't understand how SACs and exams work because every teacher has like a different explanation. ;n; anyways, I've been constantly taking year 12 subjects throughout year 10 and 11, and I still don't understand like how SACs work. I always freak out during exams, and get like bad scores and my friends say SACs and school work like projects and stuff will help me? someone pls help ;; thanks

Welcome to ATAR notes!

To answer your question, your SACs and your exam should both contribute to your study score. The exact percentage depends on the subject. Since SAC score is irrelevant due to different SACs being made by each school, VCAA only knows SAC ranking of your school's cohort. After the exam is done, they know all the exam scores and exam rankings for your cohort as well. They then compare the lists to determine your moderated SAC score. For instance if you get SAC rank 5 in your cohort, you will get your cohort's 5th best exam score as your moderated SAC score.

[beverlycheeeee]

Welcome to ATAR notes!

To answer your question, your SACs and your exam should both contribute to your study score. The exact percentage depends on the subject. Since SAC score is irrelevant due to different SACs being made by each school, VCAA only knows SAC ranking of your school's cohort. After the exam is done, they know all the exam scores and exam rankings for your cohort as well. They then compare the lists to determine your moderated SAC score. For instance if you get SAC rank 5 in your cohort, you will get your cohort's 5th best exam score as your moderated SAC score.

So basically if I know I might score badly in the exams, I would have to try to get like number one in my class, and would that affect my ATAR score? or SACs wouldn't affect my ATAR score like, at all?

[Quantum44]

So basically if I know I might score badly in the exams, I would have to try to get like number one in my class, and would that affect my ATAR score? or SACs wouldn't affect my ATAR score like, at all?

Well if you get rank 1 in your SACs you will get the best exam score of your cohort as your SAC score which will probably be pretty good. However SACs are usually only worth 30-40% of your study score so the exam matters the most. However you can compensate slightly for a disappointing exam with excellent SAC marks and still receive a decent study score and hence a decent ATAR, although it depend on your goals.

[Syndicate]

Yeah I am thoroughly enjoying all my subjects as well and in particular specialist maths. Do you have to go to Melbourne Uni to do UMEP maths though?

Unlike physics and chemistry, extension maths is held at a school centre (Camberwell and Melbourne Grammar are the popular ones out of all).

How's Latin? Is it difficult compared to English?

[Butterflygirl]

On the topic of SACs...I have a chemistry SAC tomorrow :/

I feel prepared but you never know with Chemistry, anything could pop up. Hopefully everything turns out okay


How's the stress level for you guys so far?

[beverlycheeeee]

Well if you get rank 1 in your SACs you will get the best exam score of your cohort as your SAC score which will probably be pretty good. However SACs are usually only worth 30-40% of your study score so the exam matters the most. However you can compensate slightly for a disappointing exam with excellent SAC marks and still receive a decent study score and hence a decent ATAR, although it depend on your goals.

Alrighty! Thank you so much for explaining this to me : D

[Quantum44]

Unlike physics and chemistry, extension maths is held at a school centre (Camberwell and Melbourne Grammar are the popular ones out of all).

How's Latin? Is it difficult compared to English?

Oh wow I didn't realise my school did uni maths, no wonder so many of my friends do it.

Latin is probably my hardest subject right now, although spesh has the potential to become difficult as I progress through course, but all you need is low 30s to get a good scaled score and it's an extremely interesting language

[Quantum44]

On the topic of SACs...I have a chemistry SAC tomorrow :/

I feel prepared but you never know with Chemistry, anything could pop up. Hopefully everything turns out okay


How's the stress level for you guys so far?

:O that's a very early SAC, good luck!

For me the stress levels are pretty good as thankfully I don't have a SAC for another few weeks. The VCE gods must be repaying me for the savage assault of bio last year.