ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE Mathematics => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Mathematical Methods CAS => Topic started by: bomb on August 11, 2009, 06:27:23 pm
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Okay, I'm only in Unit 2 but I'm starting to get annoyed at these methods SACs (CAS).
I able to do the revision work and work from the textbook easy as hell but as soon as we get to a SAC there is all this stuff I don't know. I saw my latest SAC result a few days and it was sh*t....
I'm not joking, from year 7-10 I was getting 90-100% consistently...what is happening?
I am completely devastated. Please someone tell me what I am doing wrong, I revise for hours however another methods class at our school does way better on average...is it our teacher? Nobody can do any good on these SACs.
Please someone tell me what I can do, I really need to get a 35 for a study score next year...
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Don't worry too much about it and keep trying! I got N/A for my unit 1+2 and am finding 3/4 really fun!
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I would advise that instead on putting so much focus on answering questions from the textbook, to attempt questions that require more thinking outside the box and less plugging numbers into formulas.
Checkpoints are great for this. They test understanding of certain areas and have a wide range of good questions. Do these continually in the lead up to SACs, and you might feel abit more equipped.
Obviously, I can't comment on your teacher but perhaps you could ask the teacher from the other class what you could be doing?
Lastly, don't stress. It's only year 11. I got a D+ in the end of year exam in Methods in year 11 and finished up with a study score of 40 in year 12. Don't give up!
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Which topics are you having trouble with?
If it's stuff like combinatorics I wouldn't worry tooo much about it, it's not a big part of Units 3&4 and it is quite hard anyway.
If it's anything else though, then are you using Cambridge Methods CAS? The questions at the back of each chapter are excellent preparation for SACs and I don't think they're very easy. If you complete those questions and there's still stuff on the SAC that you don't understand then that's probably a good thing - you can only learn from the Unit 2 SACs.
Post any questions you have here and someone will definitely answer them :D
oh yeah and as Revel said if you dun wanna buy cambridge then most definitely go for checkpoints (don't do this for unit 3&4 though, they recycle exams)
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Thanks for the prompt replies guys...I feel much better :)
But yeah, I think i have Cambridge,
I got 95% for Linear
89 for Parabolas
65% for Functions
and 80% for the midyear exam
but the teacher has only marked half the current SAC so I'm not sure about this one but it definitely looks terrible....
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I got E C B+ for year 11 methods and got a 47 raw, don't worry too much bout it.
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Really? Well I am a little at ease now but...
How do I explain my end of year report to my parents? :S
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I was in your exact position in year 11 methods - I ended up with a high C+/low B average and was absolutely devastated. I got 44 in the end. Don't stress yourself out about it, it's only 1/2.
EDIT: I also only had a high B+/low A average in year 12 methods and just studied my ass off for the exam, so even in year 12 you shouldn't kick yourself too much over not-as-good SAC marks because you can always make it up in the exam!
Do the methods classes do the same SACs? Maybe that teacher marks a lot easier, or teaches better, or that class just happens to have all the really smart people in it.
I able to do the revision work and work from the textbook easy as hell but as soon as we get to a SAC there is all this stuff I don't know.
This worries me a little. Are the SAC questions in a completely different format to the textbook questions? Perhaps you just need to expose yourself to a wider range of questions from different textbooks/Checkpoints etc.
Or are you the type who tends to freak out in SACs and your brain completely freezes up, so that you can't answer anything even when you do know the stuff? (happens to me too)
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We all do the same SACs, their class aren't much smarter at all.
And the SAC questions don't even seem from the same SUBJECT as what we do in class...
My brain doesn't really freeze up in SAC's I work pretty easily, time myself well and get a lot done. I panic some times but don't completely stuff up....
I am soo stuffed when my report comes.
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I know how you feel, my last year methods 11 SAC (cough...not important) was on circular functions, I studied for hours on end memorising every book example...to bad the sac included so much things I didn't memorise...SAC I studied for most turned out to be worst of the year so far...
Although I'm using Math Quest 11 CAS...Guess can't blame on the book though lol.
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study, revisit hard qs from exercises = a must. for 1/2, it is possible to get away with checkpoints and revising the text book. for 3/4, id advise a lot more like in addition to checkpoints, try and do neap, exambusters, methods notes etc. remember you have the summer hols too so you can consolidate material then as well if you think you're not confident with it now. also, most of unit 3 is a repeat of unit 2 which gives you even more time to consolidate your knowledge. don't stress, everything will work out! =)