Help with Vce subjects?!??!?!

[Planck's constant]

For anyone listening whose school offers the options of Maths Methods 3/4 in Year 11, do it.
The best schools, who know what the are doing and can properly accelerate kids in Maths, follow this path.

It is the optimum path for VCE maths.

Firstly, when you are in Year 11, you can afford to dedicate a lot of time to a single subject. This is a big advantage, and it is the main reason why the accelerated Year 11's generally outperperfom Year 12's in Maths Methods 3/4.

Therefore, Year 11 should not be wasted on Further Maths if Methods 3/4 is an option.

The other advantage is that having climbed the Methods 3/4 mountain in Year 11, Specialist Maths becomes a considerably easier proposition in Year 12. Although Spesh is tougher than Methods 3/4, it will not appear so, because the incremental increase in difficulty from Methods 3/4 to Spesh is not all that great. Methods 3/4 students have already done the Spesh hard yards.

As for also picking Further alongside Spesh in Year 12, it would not be my personal choice, but I can appreciate why some would choose it. It is basically a free kick for Methods/Spesh students and it will free up a lot of time for their remaining 3 subjects

[Professor Polonsky]

^ Can't +1 that enough, especially if you're planning to do Spesh

Anyways, sunny, Spesh workload isn't too bad. Especially if you've already done Methods beforehand, otherwise you might get to calculus in Spesh before Methods (depending on how your school teaches it). But in any case, by itself, it's certainly less than Methods.

[Planck's constant]

Further to my previous post, I received a PM which I want to answer on the main forum.
The question was whether Methods 1/2 is necessary for Methods 3/4.

There are two issues:

1) is it a VCAA requirement that only students who have satisfactorily completed Methods 1/2 are allowed to enrol for Methods 3/4? I don't know the answer to this question and perhaps someone can come forward with the facts.

2) is the knowledge gained in Methods 1/2 necessary to succeed in Methods 3/4. IMO, the short answer to this is yes. Having said that, if you are a Year 10, there is still sufficient time to prepare for Year 11 Methods 3/4 through self-study. You must do an amount of work EQUIVALENT to Methods 1/2. One obvious way is to study the Methods 1/2 textbook yourself. The other is to begin with the Methods 3/4 textbook itself. The Essentials Maths Methods 3/4 textbook chapters 1-4 contain a revision of assumed knowledge plus all the foundational stuff for Methods 3/4.

But I advise against rushing into Methods 3/4 if there are big gaping holes in your knowledge of the fundamentals. As a minimum, you need fluent algebra skills eg being able to factorise and expand, recognise DOPS and perfect squares, put fractions on LCD, Index laws. You will need knowledge of linear equations, simultaneous linear equations, surds, geo, trig, matrices and set notation and perhaps some basics on functions

[Professor Polonsky]

I never completed (nor was ever enrolled in) Methods Unit 2, so it is definitely possible.

However, some 1/2 knowledge is essential to the 3/4. I would definitely recommend at the very least catching up sometime before commencing the 3/4, otherwise you might find yourself quite disadvantaged. You don't need to do everything - probability, for example, would be a waste of time - but definitely parts of it are important.

[BoredSatan]

I'm pretty sure the guy is now only deciding whether to do Physics or Accounting.

I didn't do Physics in VCE but from what I've heard and my personal experience of Accounting is that while Accounting is pretty dry as a subject, it is a good subject to boost marks. If you understand the basic concepts and do well in units 1&2, then 3&4 will be a walkthrough because the concepts are the same and there is just a little bit of extension. My friends all complained about the amount of knowledge required for Physics and how the modules were all stuffed up and everything

Just my opinion

[sunny246]

I'm pretty sure the guy is now only deciding whether to do Physics or Accounting.

I didn't do Physics in VCE but from what I've heard and my personal experience of Accounting is that while Accounting is pretty dry as a subject, it is a good subject to boost marks. If you understand the basic concepts and do well in units 1&2, then 3&4 will be a walkthrough because the concepts are the same and there is just a little bit of extension. My friends all complained about the amount of knowledge required for Physics and how the modules were all stuffed up and everything

Just my opinion

Thanks man, Im really considering of doing accounting although ive also heard that physics was a dry subject as well, Any thoughts?

And what are the basic principles of accounting, since im in year 10 i dont know much about it

Thanks

[BoredSatan]

Thanks man, Im really considering of doing accounting although ive also heard that physics was a dry subject as well, Any thoughts?

And what are the basic principles of accounting, since im in year 10 i dont know much about it

Thanks

Like knowing the definitions of things, knowing how a business operates in general and what is physically happening can help a lot when doing units 3&4

[Greatness]

If I had my time again and knew I wanted to pursue Eng/Comm as I am atm, I would've chosen something like this:
English, Spesh, Methods, Accounting, Physics, Economics (and BM or whatever you're interested in - If you can do 2 units in year 11)
I did English, spesh, methods, further, chem, jap sl, bio... lol
Accounting is good to do as I felt they taught everything exceptionally quickly at uni most of the 3/4 content in 6 weeks or something crazy. Then if you don't put the effort in you fall waaaay behind.. :/ Physics would be handy for eng subjects, but not completely necessary I'm surviving with my like year 9 knowledge and stuff from spesh LOL (and probably won't be doing any physics units at all) Economics would be fun imo but not sure what the vce content is like, I thought it was interesting when I learnt it in uni. English is compulsory, if you're serious about engineering methods+spesh is a must imo. Not only does spesh help you out in VCE but it means you don't have to do an introductory calc unit in 1st year which is similar to spesh.

So:
English, Methods, Spesh - LOCK
Accounting, Physics - Handy I would take them
Economics, BM whatever else - Your choice, do something you enjoy.

P.s. Don't be a pussy, challenge yourself, don't do a subject that is 'easy' because you think you'll get 45+. It hardly works like that... In VCE hard work gets you good grades - regardless of the difficulty of the subject.

[sunny246]

If I had my time again and knew I wanted to pursue Eng/Comm as I am atm, I would've chosen something like this:
English, Spesh, Methods, Accounting, Physics, Economics (and BM or whatever you're interested in - If you can do 2 units in year 11)
I did English, spesh, methods, further, chem, jap sl, bio... lol
Accounting is good to do as I felt they taught everything exceptionally quickly at uni most of the 3/4 content in 6 weeks or something crazy. Then if you don't put the effort in you fall waaaay behind.. :/ Physics would be handy for eng subjects, but not completely necessary I'm surviving with my like year 9 knowledge and stuff from spesh LOL (and probably won't be doing any physics units at all) Economics would be fun imo but not sure what the vce content is like, I thought it was interesting when I learnt it in uni. English is compulsory, if you're serious about engineering methods+spesh is a must imo. Not only does spesh help you out in VCE but it means you don't have to do an introductory calc unit in 1st year which is similar to spesh.

So:
English, Methods, Spesh - LOCK
Accounting, Physics - Handy I would take them
Economics, BM whatever else - Your choice, do something you enjoy.

P.s. Don't be a pussy, challenge yourself, don't do a subject that is 'easy' because you think you'll get 45+. It hardly works like that... In VCE hard work gets you good grades - regardless of the difficulty of the subject.

Wow I can't thank you enough although my subjects now look like this
- English
- Chem
-Spesh
-Methods
-accounting
- either physics or further. The reason I want to choose further is so I can get it done in year and hav only 5 subjects in year 12 to worry out.

Thanks

[lala1911]

Honestly - I think that would be a good subject selection. I'm assuming the physics/further is for year 11 yes? You can either do both, but if you plan on choosing one I'd say further. It seems like you're a strong maths student, so really, it makes sense for you to do further. Achieving a 40+ should be no hassle for you actually, if you happen to drop a few marks throughout the year you should easily secure a 40+. Also, it might be a good experience to take up a mathematics unit 3/4 subject, just to get that SAC/Exam experience, so you're prepared for 3/4 methods and spesh.

[violanoob8]

I want to do a business subject and am tossing between Business Management and Accounting. I like both aspects of each subject but the thing i dont like is the scaling down of BM. so if you could help with this, this would be great.

next i dont know whether to do physics. I love maths and i enjoy doing it and would say around the top end of my maths class.

Finally i dont know whether to do spec maths or further. The thing i have come up with is that it is easier to get a 45 in further with less stress and more ease then to struggle and put alot of my time into spec for a 32-33 which scales to 45ish. So i dont know what would help most.??

If you could please help, it would be amazing!!!

Hey,

Well in regards to Business Management and Accounting, I did Unit 1 Accounting last year (Yr10) and it was actually terrible, I is relatively easy to do well in, but hard to do great in. There is a significant amount of theory, and the practical part of it was really repetitive and just a total bore. I would suggest Business Management as I hear it is a lot better and I would even recommend economics for you "business" subject as I have only heard good things about it as well

I regards to physics, unless you are sure you love it, and you have a passion for it, do not do it! There is a HIGH chance that you will get a less that satisfactory teacher for physics at MHS and as it is a high content subject and unless you are motivated, and you do quite a bit of self study then you won't do that well.

For maths, I would heavily recommend you do Specialist Maths over Further. If you are at the high end of your maths class, then you have what it takes to do well in further, you only think you will get a 32-33, however, there is a lot of competition in Spesh at MHS that will motivate you to work hard, if you work harder for spesh it pretty much guarantees higher marks, but no matter how hard you work for Further, you can still fail and that is because of how many marks you drop to "silly mistakes"  rather than "knowledge".

[lala1911]

Hey,

Well in regards to Business Management and Accounting, I did Unit 1 Accounting last year (Yr10) and it was actually terrible, I is relatively easy to do well in, but hard to do great in. There is a significant amount of theory, and the practical part of it was really repetitive and just a total bore. I would suggest Business Management as I hear it is a lot better and I would even recommend economics for you "business" subject as I have only heard good things about it as well

I regards to physics, unless you are sure you love it, and you have a passion for it, do not do it! There is a HIGH chance that you will get a less that satisfactory teacher for physics at MHS and as it is a high content subject and unless you are motivated, and you do quite a bit of self study then you won't do that well.

For maths, I would heavily recommend you do Specialist Maths over Further. If you are at the high end of your maths class, then you have what it takes to do well in further, you only think you will get a 32-33, however, there is a lot of competition in Spesh at MHS that will motivate you to work hard, if you work harder for spesh it pretty much guarantees higher marks, but no matter how hard you work for Further, you can still fail and that is because of how many marks you drop to "silly mistakes"  rather than "knowledge".

I can say that business is probably similar to what accounting is. Business management is easy to achieve good marks like 75%, but to break that 90%+ barrier it's really difficult. Your responses need to include perfect terminology, examples, case study references and complete knowledge of the theory. I'm interested in business however business management is the complete opposite of what I thought it'd be in units 3/4.

[sunny246]

Hey,

Well in regards to Business Management and Accounting, I did Unit 1 Accounting last year (Yr10) and it was actually terrible, I is relatively easy to do well in, but hard to do great in. There is a significant amount of theory, and the practical part of it was really repetitive and just a total bore. I would suggest Business Management as I hear it is a lot better and I would even recommend economics for you "business" subject as I have only heard good things about it as well

I regards to physics, unless you are sure you love it, and you have a passion for it, do not do it! There is a HIGH chance that you will get a less that satisfactory teacher for physics at MHS and as it is a high content subject and unless you are motivated, and you do quite a bit of self study then you won't do that well.

For maths, I would heavily recommend you do Specialist Maths over Further. If you are at the high end of your maths class, then you have what it takes to do well in further, you only think you will get a 32-33, however, there is a lot of competition in Spesh at MHS that will motivate you to work hard, if you work harder for spesh it pretty much guarantees higher marks, but no matter how hard you work for Further, you can still fail and that is because of how many marks you drop to "silly mistakes"  rather than "knowledge".

I defs am not doing business because it is so easy to lose marks in and there is way too much writing which is not my thing. Excuse my language but when there are loads of lines per questions in tests i write bullshit to get my way through.

In regards to accounting, lots of my friends are doing it and say its a great subject but on top of that there are alos friends that hate the subject.

and in all honesty im not from melbourne high im from melbourne grammar. I didnt know putting MHS as my school would cause so much hate for physics. so now you know im not from MHS, tell me about physics.

ANd could you tell me some of the things youve heard about economics?

thanks

[pi]

and in all honesty im not from melbourne high im from melbourne grammar.

Also that contradicts a PM you sent me where you specifically mentioned teachers' names lol. Goodtry/10


Also,

there is way too much writing which is not my thing

i have a natural talent for english.

loljks

[sunny246]

(Image removed from quote.)

Also that contradicts a PM you sent me where you specifically mentioned teachers' names lol. Goodtry/10

haha ok i am from mhs but i hate it how people bring the fact that physics at mhs is so bad.

Hey atleast you have to give me a point for trying ;p