Just how hard is it to get a 99.00 or more ATAR score?

[stephanieteddy]

For people who did achieve this, is it all hard work? A mixture of hard work and brains? Or is it all because of brains?

You only get out what you put it, but I feel like I have put in so much. I know I haven't actually sat the exam yet, but after being on this forum for a little while, it seems to me that 99.00 is extremely hard.

So, people who have finished, JUST HOW HARD IS IT? What was your final year experience?

[brenden]

Don't need to finish. Very very hard. Mixture of hard work and brains. Done.

[WINGARDIUM]

And also were you sure that you would get 99+ throughout the year or were you pleasantly surprised?

[pi]

And also were you sure that you would get 99+ throughout the year or were you pleasantly surprised?

For me, was aiming for 99.15 at the start of the year, but by the exams was thinking ~98 would be on par, so was surprised come results day

[Hancock]

I was working at Campion from 7am-12pm on Results Day, got my text at 6.45, read it, and reread it after seeing 99.00 and dismissing it as administrative stuff. Jizzed my pants. Also, was expecting 97-98ish. Also pleasantly surprised.

[WINGARDIUM]

Mind. Is. Blown.

How are you guys so awesome? I'm aiming for 99+ [Med hopeful here], but seriously atm I'm just self doubting myself.

[pi]

How are you guys so awesome? I'm aiming for 99+ [Med hopeful here], but seriously atm I'm just self doubting myself.

We're just like you!

I can totally see someone a year down the track asking you the same question on here

[WINGARDIUM]

Aww! Your too sweet VegemitePi. You may have just made my day

[abeybaby]

just want to say that people are astounded that some people can do so well with what seems like relatively little work, but its important to make this clear.

those who study for 5 hours a day during year 12 will not do nearly as well as someone who's primary goal has been working towards year 12 for several years. if youve been working well and consistently for several years, you will find that year 12 isnt all about work, and will achieve your atar goal with relative ease.

[WINGARDIUM]

those who study for 5 hours a day during year 12 will not do nearly as well as someone who's primary goal has been working towards year 12 for several years.

I agree with this, however I was referring to the recurring emotional strain and self doubt - I often stress/worry about my GA's despite feeling confident walking out of an exam/SAC or even after receiving my marks (SAC)

[golden]

those who study for 5 hours a day during year 12 will not do nearly as well as someone who's primary goal has been working towards year 12 for several years.

I agree with this, however I was referring to the recurring emotional strain and self doubt - I often stress/worry about my GA's despite feeling confident walking out of an exam/SAC or even after receiving my marks (SAC)

Out of my three mid years I got one A+.
Fortunately the other two were in my bottom 2.
#True story.

[BoredSatan]

At the start of the year, I must admit that I didn't really have high hopes for myself in terms of an ATAR score. Even though I had 2 pretty good scores already locked in, I was still not quite sure how I would be able to handle 5 subjects at once instead of only 1. I guess what helped me through year 12 was my balance of subjects.

Having already done a science in year 11, I found that only doing 1 science in year 12 relieved a lot of stress. And I did enjoy doing maths (and I kinda miss math now ) so that was also helpful. That left Accounting and English to deal with. Now I didn't really like Accounting, and I was going to drop it and only have 6 subjects, but my wonderful Accounting teacher came up to me and told me that I'd do really well as I have a good grasp of the concepts. So I stuck to it and tried to do really well. One thing that I would probably regret is not spending enough time on English as I should have. I actually had a lot of spare time in year 12, mostly because my subjects allowed that but I wasted it doing useless things.

If I had to give you a tip on how to succeed, it would be to manage your time right. Spend more time on your English subject because at the end of the day, that subject is going to hugely determine whether you get that 99.00. One of my friends from school beasted 4 subjects, but didnt do so well in English and ended up just under 99.

Also, DONT STRESS! Everyone is in the same boat. There is no point worrying about your previous SAC mark or that Exam that you did. They are all over and done with. Persevere in your study, and you will do well

[paulsterio]

For people who did achieve this, is it all hard work? A mixture of hard work and brains? Or is it all because of brains?

You only get out what you put it, but I feel like I have put in so much. I know I haven't actually sat the exam yet, but after being on this forum for a little while, it seems to me that 99.00 is extremely hard.

So, people who have finished, JUST HOW HARD IS IT? What was your final year experience?

It's a mixture of both hard work and brains - though sometimes one compensates for the other, if you're naturally more gifted, then you won't have to work as hard as someone else who finds it harder to get everything straight off the bat.

No, you don't get out what you put in, what you put in is one of the factors which contributes to what you get out, but it isn't the only factor, how intelligently you work, as well as how well you can sit exams are other factors amongst many others which I won't be able to tell you.

It's not hard - just do what you can do, and you will get what you can get - that's the way I see it, the harder you make it out to be, the harder it will actually become. I found year 12 quite fun, just the fact that I was doing everything for the last time.

Like I always say, Year 12 is the first time you study for something more than just a meaningless number, it's not about your ATAR, it's not about what you get on your exams, it's about your pride, your future and you being able to reach your dreams.

[stephanieteddy]

Thank you everyone, these are wonderful answers. I think we all need to remember that these atarnotes geniuses are real human beings too. If they can do it, so can we!

I think getting a 40 in Biology last year reduced my aim a little bit. But this year is completely different, I thought I was working hard last year. PFFT, yeah right.

I can definitely do this! I mean, I have Jap and Spec! They scale up like beauties!

AWESOME! Thanks guys!