ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => Victorian Education Discussion => Topic started by: Einstein on May 15, 2014, 04:44:52 pm

Title: Marks are slipping
Post by: Einstein on May 15, 2014, 04:44:52 pm
Currently in year 11 doing 2 year 12 subjects, im doing fine in them, but i have noticed across the board - methods, chem etc that my marks are decreasing a bit, for example i got my first ever score in the 70s in Chem 2 weeks ago, ive never got under 80s since like year 7.

 i have been procrastinating a bit on facebook, on this (lol) - should i de activate facebook for a week or something? Any tips on how to improve?

edit: i am also finding some new things in methods , chem progressively harder to grasp, is this how the course is set out (of course it is, but we are also going at a slower rate through work)?
Title: Re: Marks are slipping
Post by: cute on May 15, 2014, 06:00:09 pm
Same here, but I'm only doing one Year 12 :(
Title: Re: Marks are slipping
Post by: Frozone on May 15, 2014, 06:14:58 pm
Currently in year 11 doing 2 year 12 subjects, im doing fine in them, but i have noticed across the board - methods, chem etc that my marks are decreasing a bit, for example i got my first ever score in the 70s in Chem 2 weeks ago, ive never got under 80s since like year 7.

 i have been procrastinating a bit on facebook, on this (lol) - should i de activate facebook for a week or something? Any tips on how to improve?

edit: i am also finding some new things in methods , chem progressively harder to grasp, is this how the course is set out (of course it is, but we are also going at a slower rate through work)?

If your grades are dropping from like 80 to 78 or 75% then i don't think there is too much to be concerned about. It happens sometimes. But if they are going from 80-60%, then maybe you should spend a bit more time studying for these subjects and understanding the concepts better.
Title: Re: Marks are slipping
Post by: Einstein on May 15, 2014, 06:18:19 pm
I was averaging a 94% for pracs and SACs in chem, and part of the summary report the sac was weighted 50%, and i got 73% on that (had two 3/4 sacs that day as well so focussed on them) and now my average is 86% :(
Title: Re: Marks are slipping
Post by: Frozone on May 15, 2014, 06:20:20 pm
I was averaging a 94% for pracs and SACs in chem, and part of the summary report the sac was weighted 50%, and i got 73% on that (had two 3/4 sacs that day as well so focussed on them) and now my average is 86% :(

Like my pe teacher says "one sunny day doesn't make a summer".
But in your case one poor score is not the end of the world.
Title: Re: Marks are slipping
Post by: MJRomeo81 on May 15, 2014, 07:11:40 pm
Teachers usually mark tougher at this time of the year.

A few teachers I have spoken to have said at the beginning of the year they are quite relaxed in terms of marking. It is ideal to boost the confidence of the student early in the year. Then throughout the year, they mark harshly to reflect the VCAA standard and also to force you to keep improving your study techniques.

I believe this approach is a lot more effective than the teacher who pretends to be your best friend and awards the whole cohort A+.

When receiving a score lower than expected after a SAC, don't panic! Chances are the rest of the cohort struggled as well. Identify the questions you could improve on and go from there. You would rather make these mistakes now than in November!
Title: Re: Marks are slipping
Post by: Einstein on May 15, 2014, 07:53:38 pm
Teachers usually mark tougher at this time of the year.

A few teachers I have spoken to have said at the beginning of the year they are quite relaxed in terms of marking. It is ideal to boost the confidence of the student early in the year. Then throughout the year, they mark harshly to reflect the VCAA standard and also to force you to keep improving your study techniques.

I believe this approach is a lot more effective than the teacher who pretends to be your best friend and awards the whole cohort A+.

When receiving a score lower than expected after a SAC, don't panic! Chances are the rest of the cohort struggled as well. Identify the questions you could improve on and go from there. You would rather make these mistakes now than in November!


My 3/4 marks are so far secured me Rank 1, though i know this may be stupid im kinda upset with my 1/2 scores , chem, methods etc
Title: Re: Marks are slipping
Post by: swagsxcboi on May 15, 2014, 08:12:49 pm
My 3/4 marks are so far secured me Rank 1, though i know this may be stupid im kinda upset with my 1/2 scores , chem, methods etc
IMO that's what should matter right now. Focus on your 3/4 SACs and prioritise them over your 1/2s.
Last year I disregarded 1/2 study and only completed homework/assignments, etc. and I don't feel like it has made a difference on my 3/4s this year.
Title: Re: Marks are slipping
Post by: chasej on May 16, 2014, 12:42:27 am
My 3/4 marks are so far secured me Rank 1, though i know this may be stupid im kinda upset with my 1/2 scores , chem, methods etc

I wouldn't worry to much in that case...1/2 subjects you only need to be grasping the key concepts, although chem and methods it can be useful to have a good 1/2 basis, but for 1/2's place actually understanding and learning the content over the marks, as in the end 1/2's are pass/fail only.

Sounds like you're very capable at 3/4 level and I think you would do really well if you are capable of getting in 70's for chem (hard subject) when you have 2 other 3/4 sacs the same day to focus on.

Don't worry about 1 sac result, especially in year 11, just try to do well in 3/4's and understand the 1/2's so the 3/4 content comes more easily next year.