Physics (1/2) or Methods (1/2) in Year 10?

[schoolstudent115]

Hey everyone,

Year 10 subject selection is coming up in about 6 weeks, and I am contemplating whether I should choose Physics (1/2) or Methods (Units 1/2) in year 10.

I find Mathematics incredibly easy, and always have. I am planning on doing specialists in Year 11/12, quite possibly agorithmics as well. I think doing Methods (year 10 version) would be a bit easy and perhaps boring. I have an average  99.6% over 5 tests, (1 mark lost out of all of them, and it was due to me misreading the question.) I studied maybe 10 minutes for every test, just to make sure I don’t forget anything e.g. flipping the inequality sign when div’ing or multiplying by a (-).
Physics on the other hand I am averaging a mid A+. The content seems pretty straight forward to me, I can pick it up quite fast and am able to apply it to a wide variety of scenarios.

I’m just not sure which subject to accelerate. My science teacher has recommended me for physics 1/2, I haven’t asked about methods 1/2 yet. (I have been recommended for methods yr10 though).

If the school allows methods 1/2, which should I choose?

[Aaron]

Well done on your results.

Personally i'd be doing Methods 1/2. The reason for this is Algorithmics actually has a pre-requisite of Methods 1/2 to be able to enrol in it. To be honest, the pre-requisite is justified due to the content of Algorithmics. So, if you intend on doing Algorithmics as a Year 11, then that would definitely be the way to go.

Of course your science teacher is going to say accelerate Physics.... it is in the science domain!

If you don't plan on doing Algorithmics until Year 12, then either will be suitable depending on your circumstances.

I think the important thing to recognise is that there is a significant difference between difficulty of Maths at the 9-10 level in comparison to VCE. While you may have done well so far, it definitely doesn't mean this will continue into Year 11 and 12. But you definitely have a good starting point, that's for sure!!

Good luck

[Bri MT]

Is it possible for you to move into the year 10 methods prep class for next semester?
If you want to complete methods in year 11 I think that this would be a good way of preparing for it and assessing your suitability
( I self-taught myself year 10 maths so I'm confident you could do the same thing, but there are still clear benefits to being teacher taught )

[schoolstudent115]

Well done on your results.

Personally i'd be doing Methods 1/2. The reason for this is Algorithmics actually has a pre-requisite of Methods 1/2 to be able to enrol in it. To be honest, the pre-requisite is justified due to the content of Algorithmics. So, if you intend on doing Algorithmics as a Year 11, then that would definitely be the way to go.

Of course your science teacher is going to say accelerate Physics.... it is in the science domain!

If you don't plan on doing Algorithmics until Year 12, then either will be suitable depending on your circumstances.

I think the important thing to recognise is that there is a significant difference between difficulty of Maths at the 9-10 level in comparison to VCE. While you may have done well so far, it definitely doesn't mean this will continue into Year 11 and 12. But you definitely have a good starting point, that's for sure!!

Good luck

I don't plan on doing algorithmics as a year 11.
Last year (eight) my teacher was showing me derivative/integral calculus, and I found it fairly easy. It was everything from basic limits to differentiating trigonometric functions and U-substitution. I've also learned complex numbers, logarithms, circular functions and vectors. (Self taught). The content was all very clear-cut to me. I think physics will not be as easy as maths for me. So it's really a matter of if I should get physics over and done with and then continue with maths. Or just get maths done early and complete physics 'naturally'.

[schoolstudent115]

Is it possible for you to move into the year 10 methods prep class for next semester?
If you want to complete methods in year 11 I think that this would be a good way of preparing for it and assessing your suitability
( I self-taught myself year 10 maths so I'm confident you could do the same thing, but there are still clear benefits to being teacher taught )

I've never heard about a year 10 methods preparation class.

[Bri MT]

I've never heard about a year 10 methods preparation class.

Sorry for the confusing wording. I meant the class at your school that someone would enroll in if intending to study VCE methods the next year

[schoolstudent115]

Sorry for the confusing wording. I meant the class at your school that someone would enroll in if intending to study VCE methods the next year

I don't know of such a class. I will be sure to ask about this when I get back to school.

[Seno72]

I would recommend Methods. In my opinion it's harder than Physics (probably because I suck at maths) and as you are having it as an advance placement, you can devote most of your time to it when you do Exam at year 11. Just my opinion but go with what you want to choose.

[Nexica]

Methods. If you plan on doing Specialist in year 11/12, doing Methods in year 10/11 will help a lot with that, as they cover similar content.

[schoolstudent115]

I would recommend Methods. In my opinion it's harder than Physics (probably because I suck at maths) and as you are having it as an advance placement, you can devote most of your time to it when you do Exam at year 11. Just my opinion but go with what you want to choose.

Alright. The year 10 methods should be easy enough to catch up on. I have the textbook and it looks like year 9 maths but slightly extended i.e. no real new topics.

[HUA0007]

What school do you go to?
When I was in Year 9, I had an account.

But I did not get have the study motivation.

When did you learn how Australian education for STEM works?

Did you read articles from Sydney Morning Herald of Science or Math prodigies finishing subjects in Year 8 or 9?
Example:
Jerry Mao from Caufield Grammar in Year 8 got a raw 50 in Specialist Maths.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/special-features/news-in-education/vce/14yearold-jerry-mao-receives-perfect-vce-study-score/news-story/807d1c39c213abe241254cdd5676ffea

[HUA0007]

What school do you go to?
When I was in Year 9, I had an account.

But I did not get have the study motivation.

When did you learn how Australian education for STEM works?

Did you read articles from Sydney Morning Herald of Science or Math prodigies finishing subjects in Year 8 or 9?
Example:
Jerry Mao from Caufield Grammar in Year 8 got a raw 50 in Specialist Maths.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/special-features/news-in-education/vce/14yearold-jerry-mao-receives-perfect-vce-study-score/news-story/807d1c39c213abe241254cdd5676ffea