I can only answer for Biology, so..
Just wondering, are practical investigation SACs completed with a partner or individually? (I mean the experiment part)
-For our pracs this year, we have completed them in groups (2-3 people), but each person is responsible for collecting your own results. I have found working in groups very beneficial as you are able to discuss the theory behind the prac to better understand it for the discussion section of the SAC.
Also, how many marks is the part you have to complete in the same class as your experiment worth? I don't mean the actual questions completed in the next lesson (the primary SAC part).
-It probably depends on the prac/school. For me, this has been anywhere from 2-4 marks. It usually relates to collecting data from the experiment and writing this up correctly in the discussion. For example, in our enzymes prac, our table of results was worth 2 marks and a graph of temperature versus rate of reaction was also worth 2 marks.
Do you have to complete the graph in this first lesson, or can you take graph paper home to complete it?
-The only graph I've had to do was in the discussion, so it was actually in the second lesson. If we had time in the first class, we could do a good copy of our results to take into the second class. If we don't have time, we take our rough copy.
Also, how many pages is the questions you have to complete in the first lesson?
-I have never had to complete any "questions" in the first lesson, it has just been collecting results.
Are they just general questions like your hypothesis?
-Sometimes. It depends on the SAC.
Furthermore, how do you write a hypothesis if the prac SAC is something like "finding the amount of something in something"
- I feel as if I can't really answer this as I don't know the context of this "SAC" you are asking about. if hypotheses are your weak point, work on these with your teacher one on one prior to the SAC.
How many pages is the second part that you have to complete in the second lesson? What types of questions will these be? (Please give an example!)
-We usually get one page of questions. The write up is about 3-4 pages for me usually, and I have average sized handwriting. In terms of questions, they relate to the theory undertaken so they are usually similar to questions set for homework or that you would have come across in your own private study.
Will you get told what the prac SAC will be on? How far in advance?
-Yes, you will be told what part of the course the SAC relates to. For me, this has been about 7-10 days in advance.
Are you meant to research the topic beforehand? If you can't, how do you prepare for the SAC??? Are the questions in the second part all relating to what you have learnt in class? I don't understand how they would be, since prac topics are always so random!
-You can always "research the topic" before hand - this is called revision. You need to revise the content of the biology course that is part of the SAC. For example, my first 3/4 SAC was on movement across membranes, so I made a checklist of all content relating to movement across membranes and revised around my checklist.
Lastly, how many marks (approximately) would the ENTIRE thing be out of?
-My three SACs for Outcome 1 of Unit 3 are all Pracs. The first two were out of 16 each, and the last one will be out of 16 marks. Your mark out of 50 marks is what VCAA will see. So if you don't do so well on one, don't worry, there will always be ways to catch up.
I'm really really bad at pracs and almost died when I found out that most Bio/Chem Sacs are investigations like these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Other than that, I get really good on tests and stuff.
-TBH, so was I feel as though I have improved massively on pracs. I quite enjoy pracs now actually
Will pracs be the death of me?!!!!!!!!!
-No, well they might be if you swallow some hydrochloric acid...
But in short, you'll be fine.
If you're considering not choosing Biology or Chem in Year 11 because of the prac component, my advice is to take the subjects if you enjoy the content and see how you go. If you take both or one of them, work really hard to improve your practical skills, you could do really well in either of them if you end up taking them 3/4s.
Good luck