zsteve (99.95 ATAR): "Ask Me Anything!"

[Absurdo]

Hi Stephen, Thanks for doing this.
A few quick question:
1. What was the hardest part in Specialist Math
2. Bachelor of Biomed vs Bachelor of science, is there a lot of differences?
Thanks.

[diin.u]

Hey zsteve , Thanks for doing this
   Um doing VCE in another 3 months, what tips can you give me for methods and chemistry?
THankyou

[Patriciady]

Hi! So I'm currently in year 11 and I really want to study biomed in uni however that requires at least a 25 in methods but I am finding it extremely difficult because maths is not my strongest subject. Do you have any tips or advice on how to pull at least a 25 so I can have the prereq??

[Ashjames]

Hello!!

I was just wondering, because I haven't stated any exam prep, How the heck do I start??? I just can't bring myself to doing it!!!

Thanks 

[Syndicate]

Hey zsteve,

Just a few questions

1. Which company practice exams do recommend for specialist and methods (ie MAV, TSSM etc...)
2. Which topic did you struggle the most with in specialist and chemistry?

[Joseph41]

Because Stephen's an absolute legend, he's running a Specialist Maths class right now - but he'll be back to answering questions soon enough.

[anon_1]

Hi Steve,
 - How did you structure and make your notes, and how long did it take you to make them? How can you make notes faster from textbook content?
- What did you do for the 3-4 months leading up to your exams in terms of revision? How many practise exams did you do?
- If you average low scores for one of your subjects in the first semester, is it possible to still get approx 40 raw score if you average 95 and above in your SACs and exam for that subject?
- I also do a uni subject, and I wanted to know how that increment is calculated. Can I calculate my own increment if I have my Sem 1 and 2 overall grades? And if you don't mind me asking, what was your study score increment?
I don't have the prerequisite of Maths Methods, to pursue the Commerce degree I want at either Melbourne or Monash. My teacher has advised me to do an Arts degree at Melbourne and do subjects that will be the equivalent of methods, and then transfer into the Commerce degree in Sem 2. However, the advisor at a Melb uni open day told me that this may not be the safest plan because there may not be any spots opened in the commerce degree subjects in Sem 2, for me to transition into. So could you advise me as to whether or not this is the best way? and any other pathways that could help me overcome this prerequisite issue.
Sorry that was a lot but thank you so much!!!

[InfinityStarex]

Hi,
Great achievements btw, I wonder how you did it, I'm dreading year 12.
Just wanted to know how you coped with specialist maths, what should I consider if I'd like to take it as a 3/4 and what were you scoring in 1/2? Did you receive any tuition for any of your subjects? And any tips for chemistry and eng Lang and spesh? In terms of notes, did you take any or find them effective for English language? How much did u study in a day?
Thanks!

[Xaki.z]

Hi
I was wondering what marks did u need to average in order to get above 45 as ur study score?
 

[-273.15]

Hey Stephen,
What would your advice be for getting a really high study score in chemistry and physics?

Thanks

[Yertle the Turtle]

Hi zsteve!
As someone who did Specialist Maths by distance, what tips do you have, and what was the hardest part of doing it by distance?
I am also doing Specialist by distance and need help!
Also what did you enjoy most about Physics and Chemistry?
Thanks,
Marv

[Joseph41]

Keep asking your questions!

Stephen is happy to continue answering any questions asked today (he'll respond either tonight or tomorrow).

[Josh Moresi]

Hi Stephen

Thank you so much for doing this.

I just have some general questions,

How did you best prepare for your end of year exams?

Did you break up study? if so how long would you take breaks for?

Thanks again

[dani_b19]

Hi Steve,
I am currently doing Chemistry and Methods (which I find to be very difficult!)
I was wondering if you had any tips regarding how to study for Chemistry and Methods.
When I try to study for a maths test, I don't know where to start (apart from doing practice questions!) and I was hoping you could give me some tips?

Thank you

[geek123456]

Hey zsteve!
First of all congratulations on such an amazing result,and thank you for doing this
Just some quick questions that I really want you to address are :
1. What do you mean by "studying smarter and not harder" in terms of VCE,and how did this understanding help you in achieving your goal of a 99.95 ATAR ?
2.Do you think tutoring is directly proportional to a good ATAR ?
 Did you get any kind of tutoring for your subjects?If yes ,then from where?
3. I am not doing spesh ,instead I  chose to do methods!Do you think not doing spesh,will have a negative impact on my chances of getting into medicine?
4.How did you manage Uni Maths in schools with other year twelve subjects? Did your timings sometimes clash and resulted you to miss some classes of school?
5.How early do you think one should start revising for the VCE 3-4 units exams?
6.Did you attempt the UMAT?If yes,when did you start preparing for it and how?
7.Do you think GAT should be taken seriously and it DOES have an impact on your ATAR?Did you prepare anything for it before hand(e.g looking over past exams etc)?
8.What are your tips for getting a good score in methods?
9.How many hours did you study a day ? Were you a "nerd" in school?
10.How to STOP procrastinating?
11.Do you think a bad cohort lessens your chances of getting a good ATAR,even if you perform well?
12.Do you think extra curricular go hand in hand with a good result for getting a good place in uni ?If yes,what kind of extra curricular should one consider doing to get into a science field?
13.Can you state some of the things you wish you knew in year 12?
14.What was your reaction when you received your result?

Sorry for so many questions! Thanking you in advance