How hard should I try for 1/2 subjects?

[randomnobody69420]

I’m gonna be year 11 next year and I’m doing 5 1/2s and 1 3/4. So I was wondering, how hard should I try for the 1/2 subjects (because I know they don’t contribute to your ATAR)? Is it pointless to buy anything like notes checkpoints etc. for 1/2s? How would you guys allocate your study time (should I be studying the 3/4 almost exclusively or allocate more time for 1/2?). Thanks in advance

[Aaron]

All you need is to pass the unit (e.g. get an S, satisfactory).

Not saying neglect them, but as long as you attempt everything and reasonably make an effort to pass... you should be sweet.

Focus on your 3/4, but don't completely neglect your 1/2 subjects. It is good preparation for the real deal the following year. Make mistakes and rectify them during Y11 rather than finding out errors during year 12 and then crashing.

[keltingmeith]

Depends on the 1/2s - but typically, most things in 1/2 either completely underpin 3/4, build up your skills for 3/4, or are just the 3/4 material in a different form.

So it's definitely worth still putting in effort for them.

[EEEEEEP]

I’m gonna be year 11 next year and I’m doing 5 1/2s and 1 3/4. So I was wondering, how hard should I try for the 1/2 subjects (because I know they don’t contribute to your ATAR)? Is it pointless to buy anything like notes checkpoints etc. for 1/2s? How would you guys allocate your study time (should I be studying the 3/4 almost exclusively or allocate more time for 1/2?). Thanks in advance

Hi there, even though your unit 1/2s will not contribute to your ATAR, you should still try. Does not count towards ATAR != not important.

Subjects like maths, accounting, physics and biology have assumed knowledge from unit 1/2 and builds on it.  You may struggle a bit more if you do not pay more attention and slack off.

Additionally, you build good study habits.

I would give a little bit more attention to your unit 3/4 but I would not totally take away all study time from the others (they are important subjects too!)

[appleandbee]

Unit 1/2 checkpoints/other exam guides is probably a bit of an overkill. As for notes, if the 1/2 curriculum has a major overlap with units 3/4 (methods, economics, general English curriculum/skills guides-text study guides are unnecessary), having unit 3/4 notes is probably useful for a good foundation. If the unit 1/2 and 3/4 curriculums are very different, 1/2 notes are probably unnecessary. The main goal of unit 1/2 subjects is to do your best while focusing on your 3/4s, keep up with the work and build a solid foundation through understanding the key concepts (if the 1/2 curriculum is important for the 3/4).

This may be harsh, but completing 4 or 5 subjects in year 12 would be difficult for a person who is only prepared to study/put effort into 1 or 2 subjects in year 11.