Are masterclasses worth it?

[nerdmmb]

Ok so theres a lot of talk about how TSFX charges too much and all that.
I'm planning to go to a few but I don't know if I should attend the masterclasses. Will I be missing out on anything?

[Orb]

Ok so theres a lot of talk about how TSFX charges too much and all that.
I'm planning to go to a few but I don't know if I should attend the masterclasses. Will I be missing out on anything?

Nope, not at all.

The only reason you should consider going is just for an extra source of study pressure so you don't procrastinate during that time. Go to neap instead.

Or just get the materials from tsfx, they're decent.

The teachers make careless errors while they emphasise that you don't, I tend to find that ironic and they also spend significant amounts of time going through easy sections but not enough on worded problems for maths.

[nerdmmb]

Nope, not at all.

The only reason you should consider going is just for an extra source of study pressure so you don't procrastinate during that time. Go to neap instead.

Or just get the materials from tsfx, they're decent.

The teachers make careless errors while they emphasise that you don't, I tend to find that ironic and they also spend significant amounts of time going through easy sections but not enough on worded problems for maths.

Sounds reasonable
I'm mainly concerned about the journey. It'll take me approx.5 hours in total.

[Orb]

Sounds reasonable
I'm mainly concerned about the journey. It'll take me approx.5 hours in total.

That's REALLY far away.

Regional VIC?

Well, I suppose it is worth it for the notes if that's any consolation to you.

[nerdmmb]

That's REALLY far away.

Regional VIC?

Well, I suppose it is worth it for the notes if that's any consolation to you.

Nope- In the metropolitan but then I'd have to take public transport which isn't really convenient- turns a 45 min journey into 2 hours
Headstart lectures should be enough according them- were given the same set of notes from my knowledge

[Rod]

Nope- In the metropolitan but then I'd have to take public transport which isn't really convenient- turns a 45 min journey into 2 hours
Headstart lectures should be enough according them- were given the same set of notes from my knowledge

I attended the masterclasses for biology, and with no disrespect, they aren't as bad as Hamo tells you. The teacher's had barely made mistakes, they were ALL VCAA examiners and not only did they go through the whole course but also helped you tackle questions, this was significantly important as biology is a subject where an examiners mark very harshly. They would stay after class and help you, you receive extra material that summer school attendees do not get (eg practise exams, further guides, hand outs). The teacher that I had would also ask the class if they had any SACS coming up, if so we would spend the first 30 minutes going over the key concepts we need to know for the SAC.

It isn't that necessary, I valued masterclasses very highly because my teacher was quite poor and I would not get the same output as I did in master classes.

Hope that helps,

Rod.

[Orb]

I attended the masterclasses for biology, and with no disrespect, they aren't as bad as Hamo tells you. The teacher's had barely made mistakes, they were ALL VCAA examiners and not only did they go through the whole course but also helped you tackle questions, this was significantly important as biology is a subject where an examiners mark very harshly. They would stay after class and help you, you receive extra material that summer school attendees do not get (eg practise exams, further guides, hand outs). The teacher that I had would also ask the class if they had any SACS coming up, if so we would spend the first 30 minutes going over the key concepts we need to know for the SAC.

It isn't that necessary, I valued masterclasses very highly because my teacher was quite poor and I would not get the same output as I did in master classes.

Hope that helps,

Rod.

Yeah rod, look, fair enough.

I do go to one of the top private schools in the state so I'm pretty accustomed to a high teaching standard.

Ultimately it really is down to whether you think that the teaching standard at your school is enough for your vce needs in my opinion.

[psyxwar]

I don't think weekly tuition is necessary for biology at all, and TSFX definitely seems overpriced.

[Rod]

Yeah rod, look, fair enough.

I do go to one of the top private schools in the state so I'm pretty accustomed to a high teaching standard.

Ultimately it really is down to whether you think that the teaching standard at your school is enough for your vce needs in my opinion.

Yeah that's what I mean, if you have a great teacher it isn't needed at all to be honest. My teacher was a bit older, was forgetting the course, had never prepared a single lesson, and would make us watch videos from HippoCampus while he power napped . So I valued masterclasses more than others. Although, if anyone does get a bad teacher, you shouldn't use it as an excuse on not doing well, especially biology as it is more of an independent subject.

Good luck everyone

[nerdmmb]

^ True

I'll have to wait and see then..

[M_BONG]

It really depends what subject/teacher you get.

I went on a weekday (Thursday) and our lecturer was a full time teacher (as with most TSFX teachers). They tend to be exhausted (after a day of school) and my teacher did make occasional (not rare, but occasional) mistakes.

"Worth it" is quite subjective but for me personally I don't feel TSFX Masterclass benefited me significantly. True, they do go through the theory component and some questions but think about it: If you are a struggling student, how much can 2 hours each week (where little attention is dedicated to your needs as classes have >10 students)  actually help you? Very little.
In a typical class, questions are allocated; the teacher does the question, you copy down the answers (with very to no personal attention). Question difficulty, for me, was below my school's exam standards.

Plus, Masterclasses at TSFX costs upwards of $600+ each semester; you can get better tuition centres/private tutors with that money. It just happens that TSFX is the most-advertised. I fell into the trap into thinking that they are "Voted No.1 in Victoria" (as made crystal clear by their gimmicky brochures), but when I enquired for more information through emailing them, they were "voted no.1 in Victoria' by their own selected group of students only.

Tl;dr: There are better places than TSFX out there.

[nerdmmb]

It really depends what subject/teacher you get.

I went on a weekday (Thursday) and our lecturer was a full time teacher (as with most TSFX teachers). They tend to be exhausted (after a day of school) and my teacher did make occasional (not rare, but occasional) mistakes.

"Worth it" is quite subjective but for me personally I don't feel TSFX Masterclass benefited me significantly. True, they do go through the theory component and some questions but think about it: If you are a struggling student, how much can 2 hours each week (where little attention is dedicated to your needs as classes have >10 students)  actually help you? Very little.
In a typical class, questions are allocated; the teacher does the question, you copy down the answers (with very to no personal attention). Question difficulty, for me, was below my school's exam standards.

Plus, Masterclasses at TSFX costs upwards of $600+ each semester; you can get better tuition centres/private tutors with that money. It just happens that TSFX is the most-advertised. I fell into the trap into thinking that they are "Voted No.1 in Victoria" (as made crystal clear by their gimmicky brochures), but when I enquired for more information through emailing them, they were "voted no.1 in Victoria' by their own selected group of students only.

Tl;dr: There are better places than TSFX out there.

Wow thank-you Zezima That was very helpful!
It does cost wayyyy to much which I don't understand to be honest. I may as well find a private tutor

[Rod]

Wow thank-you Zezima That was very helpful!
It does cost wayyyy to much which I don't understand to be honest. I may as well find a private tutor

A lot of my friends who didn't attend master-classes went to this guy called Dr Perera. He is just a suggestion for you, I could try and get his number if you wish to go to him. My friend's were pretty happy with him. There aren't much biology tutors in Melbourne!

[nerdmmb]

A lot of my friends who didn't attend master-classes went to this guy called Dr Perera. He is just a suggestion for you, I could try and get his number if you wish to go to him. My friend's were pretty happy with him. There aren't much biology tutors in Melbourne!

I'd really appreciate that! Thank-you very much!

[sjayne]

Could you msg me too, if you get details? thx (: