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VCE Stuff => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Mathematics => Topic started by: Lesliel1 on August 13, 2010, 04:40:26 pm

Title: how hard is specialist?
Post by: Lesliel1 on August 13, 2010, 04:40:26 pm
Hey,
I am year 10 and i was wondering how hard general maths (which leads on to specialist) was and if I am able to do it.
I have an average of 90s and it is only once in a while i get 100%. I was wondering if you could tell me you views on spesh and maybe compare it to mathods and further.

thanks so much
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: luken93 on August 13, 2010, 04:49:03 pm
I'm in year 11 currently, and I'm doing general and methods.
At the moment, methods is no harder than spesh, although (apparently) spesh gets harder next year.

The good thing is, if you want to do spesh, have a go at it in year 11, and if you feel you can't cope, then pick up further instead, as you don't need 1/2 Further.

So go ahead and do it if you think you will cope, obviously by your marks you are able to cope with year 10 maths fairly easily, so I'd give it a go!
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: Chavi on August 13, 2010, 05:52:48 pm
It's basically an extension of methods. It's not super difficult, just learn the theory back to front, and allocate heaps of time to the subject, and you'll find it fine.
If you're able to complete the extended response questions for methods more or less without trouble, then you should have no problems with spec.
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: bar0029 on August 13, 2010, 06:44:09 pm
DO GEN. METHODS ADVANCED IT IS THE BEST... I L.O.V.E IT = ) nah its really good!
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: /0 on August 13, 2010, 07:00:06 pm
Seems like you would do just fine in general maths. Just be confident.
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: Mulan on August 13, 2010, 09:13:54 pm
i heard specialist isn't that much harder than methods. If you're really good at methods then spesh shouldnt be disastrously hard (:
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: Furbob on August 13, 2010, 09:23:54 pm
I'm in year 11 doing both Methods and GMA this year

currently im doing alright Methods with getting A's but for me GMA just PMSes with marks from D's to a B+ to an A+ and then an C, so im not very confident about it although our class agrees that we have a shitty teacher for this year :\
I mean, what sort of teacher makes one partial fraction question in a test worth 7/30 marks? >.>"

I'm considering just doing Further next year instead because of my schedule of next year and I just feel that I cant afford my roller-coaster-marks for year 12 but I honestly dont know where I stand since I'm quite good with my Methods but GMA is a different ball game for me :(

Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: Hutchoo on August 13, 2010, 09:26:34 pm
Hey,
I am year 10 and i was wondering how hard general maths (which leads on to specialist) was and if I am able to do it.
I have an average of 90s and it is only once in a while i get 100%. I was wondering if you could tell me you views on spesh and maybe compare it to mathods and further.

thanks so much

Yo, sup. I'm in the same position as you.

The truth is, i really love maths.. I could have chose to do Gen 1/2 next year and continue with 3/4 in year 12.. But, i decided (so far) to do spec course  (GMA) instead. These are my reasons why.

1. Its actual math (Further maths is boring- any year 9 could do it)
2. It expands your mathematical knowledge.
3. It involves physics (kinda)

Anyway, if you're good at maths and actually want a challenge, do spec.
In saying that spec is a 'challenge' its really different for each person. One of my friends is currently doing spec and finds it easier than methods... Its not a 'harder' math, its just covering a different area in the mathematical field. 
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: m@tty on August 13, 2010, 09:27:50 pm
i heard specialist isn't that much harder than methods. If you're really good at methods then spesh shouldnt be disastrously hard (:

True.

Is Spesh full of calculus in the most recent study design, just out of interest?

There is a quite a lot of calculus, a little coordinate geometry, some complex numbers, a little vectors, trig, and some kinematics/mechanics. So calculus is used in some form in everything except trig and complex.
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: AzureBlue on August 13, 2010, 11:18:36 pm
Is Spesh full of calculus in the most recent study design, just out of interest?
There is a quite a lot of calculus, a little coordinate geometry, some complex numbers, a little vectors, trig, and some kinematics/mechanics. So calculus is used in some form in everything except trig and complex.
Co-ordinate geometry and trig? Ok. Specialist is going to be awesome :) Apparently UMEP maths has less calculus now, and it's more pure maths.
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: wildareal on August 13, 2010, 11:24:35 pm
I like Maths, but I really really really detest GMA 1/2-They put a lot of bs further stuff and circle geometry and virtually no calculus. My suggestion is that if you want to do Spec, don't go with what you are going to do in GMA as only Unit 2 is relevant for 3/4 (and a tiny bit of Unit 1 as well).
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: Hutchoo on August 13, 2010, 11:26:04 pm
Isn't it like 40% Spec 1/2 and 60% general maths?
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: wildareal on August 13, 2010, 11:32:34 pm
Isn't it like 40% Spec 1/2 and 60% general maths?

Yer around that. My school have a far better course-They have GMA which I am enrolled in and GMM-General Maths Methods-For people who did Methods 1\2 in Yr 10 but want an extra year to practice for 3/4. In this course it's all Methods plus Spec minus the General Maths BS, and it is far better preparation for Spec as there is an emphasis on Calculus.
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: Hutchoo on August 13, 2010, 11:48:52 pm
Yeah, we do something very similar to that too. ^_^
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: Furbob on August 26, 2010, 09:25:16 pm
Isn't it like 40% Spec 1/2 and 60% general maths?

yeah I found it BS that we had to do sequences and series + trigonometry (sin and cos rule etc) since it's Further stuff =="
We also had to do number sets and Venn diagrams too
Title: Re: how hard is specialist?
Post by: Hutchoo on August 26, 2010, 10:33:13 pm
Yeah, I suppose it would suck after a while- but still, owning the foundations of simple math = win.