Unit 3/4 Methods or Further?

[kamie22]

Hey guys,

So I am currently doing 1/2 methods but i've been averaging 50-65% all year, and I really want to start averaging 80s to 90s (ambitious I know).
I don't know if I should drop down to further in Year 12, because obviously I want the best atar and study score possible.
I feel like if I did further I would do pretty well in it, i've had a look at the study design and past exams, but if I did methods well I would have background info from units 1/2 so i don't know if this would be beneficial?
If I was to change would there be much work involved to catch up? And overall do you think it would be overall beneficial towards my atar and study scores?

Thank you

[PhoenixxFire]

I would say talk to your teacher/ find out what other students are getting. If everyone is scoring low perhaps they are just marking harshly. If you are below everyone it is definitly worth considering dropping down. Further won't be that hard to pick up - I'm doing general and around half of the content I have learnt previously. Also consider how having to study lots for methods would impact on your other subjects. If you want to drop down, make sure methods is not required for any uni corse you want first - also talk to general math teachers and see if they can give you any advice on what to study/ lend you a general book to look through over the holidays.

[AngelWings]

Hey Kamie22.

It depends on what you feel is best for yourself, whether you really like Further, how you view your maths skills and, most importantly, know this isn't a prerequisite for your courses beyond VCE (do you need Methods in what you want to do after Year 12?*). I did General Maths (Further 1/2) in Year 10, went to do Methods 1/2 in Year 11 and then Further + Methods 3/4 in Year 12, so I can understand you concern. It wasn't too much of a leap; Further is considered 'easier' to many, but of course this varies a little between people.

Can you calculate a mean? Remember how to do linear equations? Understand some forms of financial maths and patterns? Then you're in good stead for Further. If you would prefer doing these over calculus and algebra (and don't need Methods for post-Year 12 life), then by all means, go for it and make a move!

Oh, question: what are you looking at doing after year 12? (What do you want to study/ do?)

* Don't know what your course prerequisites are? Check here and insert your course/ area preference. Scroll to the middle for what you need to get into that course.

Note: PhoenixxFire beat me to it, but I left this here to break it down further (pun not intended).

[Sam M]

In my experience, methods got a bit harder from units 1&2 to 3&4.
However this may be because I haven't put in much work and will be content with anything above the prerequisite 25 study score  .
IMO if you think that you won't devote much time to it, don't do it.
gl 

[kamie22]

I would say talk to your teacher/ find out what other students are getting. If everyone is scoring low perhaps they are just marking harshly. If you are below everyone it is definitly worth considering dropping down. Further won't be that hard to pick up - I'm doing general and around half of the content I have learnt previously. Also consider how having to study lots for methods would impact on your other subjects. If you want to drop down, make sure methods is not required for any uni corse you want first - also talk to general math teachers and see if they can give you any advice on what to study/ lend you a general book to look through over the holidays.

Hi, thank you for your reply!
Yeah as a cohort we aren't doing very well overall. The highest is averaging 70s-80s.
But I think this is because of the teachers at our school and not so much the sacs themselves, I think that they aren't preparing us well enough for them though.
That's what I'm also thinking about, would it have an impact on some of my other subjects?
Methods isn't really required for my uni courses, I'm looking at getting to exercise science. However a pre-req is any mathematics subject.

Hey Kamie22.

It depends on what you feel is best for yourself, whether you really like Further, how you view your maths skills and, most importantly, know this isn't a prerequisite for your courses beyond VCE (do you need Methods in what you want to do after Year 12?*). I did General Maths (Further 1/2) in Year 10, went to do Methods 1/2 in Year 11 and then Further + Methods 3/4 in Year 12, so I can understand you concern. It wasn't too much of a leap; Further is considered 'easier' to many, but of course this varies a little between people.

Can you calculate a mean? Remember how to do linear equations? Understand some forms of financial maths and patterns? Then you're in good stead for Further. If you would prefer doing these over calculus and algebra (and don't need Methods for post-Year 12 life), then by all means, go for it and make a move!

Oh, question: what are you looking at doing after year 12? (What do you want to study/ do?)

* Don't know what your course prerequisites are? Check here and insert your course/ area preference. Scroll to the middle for what you need to get into that course.

Note: PhoenixxFire beat me to it, but I left this here to break it down further (pun not intended).

Hi, thank you for your reply!
I don't really need methods after Year 12, I'm looking at getting into exercise science, but one of the pre-reqs is any mathematics.
Yeah I'm pretty sure I would be able to calculate those things, I don't believe further would be that hard for me, I just think I might need to look over units 1 and 2 as a refresher.


Mod edit: merged double post - click "modify" on your first post to avoid double posting

[Bri MT]

Hi, thank you for your reply!
Yeah as a cohort we aren't doing very well overall. The highest is averaging 70s-80s.
But I think this is because of the teachers at our school and not so much the sacs themselves, I think that they aren't preparing us well enough for them though.
That's what I'm also thinking about, would it have an impact on some of my other subjects?
Methods isn't really required for my uni courses, I'm looking at getting to exercise science. However a pre-req is any mathematics subject.
Hi, thank you for your reply!
I don't really need methods after Year 12, I'm looking at getting into exercise science, but one of the pre-reqs is any mathematics.
Yeah I'm pretty sure I would be able to calculate those things, I don't believe further would be that hard for me, I just think I might need to look over units 1 and 2 as a refresher.


Mod edit: merged double post - click "modify" on your first post to avoid double posting

There are so many resources to learn methods stuff on the Internet.  I'd pick a topic you struggle in,  try to learn it from the internet & test yourself.
If you  then *get it* and can answer questions on it I'd consider keeling methods because  a) it's more engaging than further (for most people)  b) it keeps more pathways open     (lots of people change their plans in yr 12, even if they have wanted to do the same thing for life)

In the end,  this is YOUR decision,  and your teachers know you better than we do