Year 11 Specialist... :/

[Mikayla:P]

Ok, this is probably going to start as more of a rant. There's currently 13 people in my year 11 spesh/GMS class, and from what I can see, less than half the class seem to try very hard, or really like maths. For example, on the first SAC (which was pretty much just basic algebra and trigonometry with a bit of unit circle stuff), I got 95%, the highest was 98%, and all the "louder" kids got scores in the 60s, 50s,& 40s.

Also, the midyear exam SO EASY -_- I got 100% (To put that in perspective, I only got 92% on the methods midyear exam, and that one was also fairly easy compared to some practice exam questions, text book questions ect.) Anyway, on the GMS midyear exam, I felt that it pretty much only had the easiest questions from the topics covered (I highly doubt VCAA will make the yr 12 maths exams that easy). On top of this, after the exam, I heard some of the others in my class talking about how they didn't get certain questions. E.g. if cos(A) = 3/4, and 0<A<π/2, show sin(A ) = √7/4. Honestly, if people can't remember (or write in a theory book which we were allowed for the whole exam) simple equations (sin^2(Ө) + cos^2(Ө) = 1), how are they meant to be able to do actual year 12 specialist???

So apart from my rant, what I basically want to know is:
1) If my schools year 11 course is so easy, will I find year 12 that much harder?
2) If I'm in a "weak cohort", but am not quite rank 1, can I still do decently in yr 12 spesh? I'd be happy with a 35 or higher. I don't really consider myself super "smart", but I do love and enjoy maths, and will be willing to work super, super hard next year.

[HighTide]

Ok, this is probably going to start as more of a rant. There's currently 13 people in my year 11 spesh/GMS class, and from what I can see, less than half the class seem to try very hard, or really like maths. For example, on the first SAC (which was pretty much just basic algebra and trigonometry with a bit of unit circle stuff), I got 95%, the highest was 98%, and all the "louder" kids got scores in the 60s, 50s,& 40s.

Also, the midyear exam SO EASY -_- I got 100% (To put that in perspective, I only got 92% on the methods midyear exam, and that one was also fairly easy compared to some practice exam questions, text book questions ect.) Anyway, on the GMS midyear exam, I felt that it pretty much only had the easiest questions from the topics covered (I highly doubt VCAA will make the yr 12 maths exams that easy). On top of this, after the exam, I heard some of the others in my class talking about how they didn't get certain questions. E.g. if cos(A) = 3/4, and 0<A<π/2, show sin(A ) = √7/4. Honestly, if people can't remember (or write in a theory book which we were allowed for the whole exam) simple equations (sin^2(Ө) + cos^2(Ө) = 1), how are they meant to be able to do actual year 12 specialist???

So apart from my rant, what I basically want to know is:
1) If my schools year 11 course is so easy, will I find year 12 that much harder?
2) If I'm in a "weak cohort", but am not quite rank 1, can I still do decently in yr 12 spesh? I'd be happy with a 35 or higher. I don't really consider myself super "smart", but I do love and enjoy maths, and will be willing to work super, super hard next year.

1. If you're finding the content simple, try harder questions. If it's very basic content (i.e. that you don't have to study much), may as well try get ahead? Start learning the Specialist 3/4 syllabus. Not only will the questions be challenging, but you'll be getting a headstart on the school which will benefit you when it comes to sacs.
Also, check out the 3/4 Specialist Questions Thread. You can ask questions if you don't understand something or you can answer questions which are posted by others (equally beneficial). By the way, if you find the 3/4 Questions easy, you should definitely try the Exampro questions. 
2. Try to get to rank 1. Yet again, getting a headstart will be beneficial here. Other than that, just stay in the top few. You can't really estimate how your cohort will perform as people do tend to study way more in year 12.
But yeah probably recommended to get a head start now if you find the content simple and enjoy maths. 
Hope this helps 

[DreamInCode]

Learn all the types of differentiation and then learn all the types of anti-differentiation. I did that in year 11 and it helped me so much.