Amount of subjects to study?

[emma.timtam]

Do you think it's a reasonable choice to complete only 5 3/4 subjects? It would leave me with only 4 subjects next year and so a lot of time to study each, and I wonder whether I would gain more of an ATAR contribution through the extra study than I'd lose through not having a 6th subject. For more context I got a 44 in biology last year, am def taking further + English language + psychology + design this year, and don't know whether I should also take sociology.

[exit]

Try do 6 subjects in total. Even if you decide to fail one, it will provide a sizeable contribution to your ATAR which is always helpful. You will always be better off doing 5 subjects in year 12 unless you dif multiple year 12 subjects in year 11 or earlier (rarer cases). In these cases, there is no point taking more than 6 subjects as only 6 subjects can contribute to your ATAR

Hope this helps!

[Quantum44]

It’s almost always better for the ATAR to do six subjects rather than five, and since you have gotten one out of the way in year 11, it makes perfect sense to do five in year 12 as that is the standard workload. Even if you do no work in your fifth subject and get a 30, it’s still 3 extra aggregate points you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise, and banking on inflating your top 4 study scores as you have extra time is a risky strategy.

[Yertle the Turtle]

Often you don't know the way Year 12 will turn out, and having an investment in just that one extra subject can make all the difference. You may find that in one of the subjects you expected to do well in there is some concept you just can't get that will seriously damage your SS, and if so, having that extra subject that may actually slot into your top 4 could be just what you need to get the ATAR you want. If you don't have it, you may want it and it's too late, but if you have it, it is available to support your other subjects.

Personally, I'm going into Year 12 this year with 6 3/4 subjects, so I'm hoping that this doesn't cause issues for me (fingers crossed).

But whatever you choose, make sure you don't look back and think about the 'what ifs'. Just try the best you can at what you choose, and you will be much happier. Good luck

[AngelWings]

These guys have already given you great advice. Just wanted to add my 2 cents into this conversation. I agree with taking 6 subjects, but my reasoning is that I find myself to be more productive when I know I have more to do than less. In the latter case, I tend to slack off more, because the weight and severity of the situation is less frightening than having the slightly larger workload (which is sort of my own personal scare technique). This may, or may not, occur with you, so I'd like to put this on the table as food for thought. Also, (and I know it's been mentioned,) a 6th subject will be counted, even if it's  a 10% increment. (Sometimes it'll get down to the wire.) It's better to have back up than to have less and risk it all.

[Yertle the Turtle]

These guys have already given you great advice. Just wanted to add my 2 cents into this conversation. I agree with taking 6 subjects, but my reasoning is that I find myself to be more productive when I know I have more to do than less. In the latter case, I tend to slack off more, because the weight and severity of the situation is less frightening than having the slightly larger workload (which is sort of my own personal scare technique). This may, or may not, occur with you, so I'd like to put this on the table as food for thought. Also, (and I know it's been mentioned,) a 6th subject will be counted, even if it's  a 10% increment. (Sometimes it'll get down to the wire.) It's better to have back up than to have less and risk it all.

I couldn't agree more with what AngelWings has said, basically my feelings, but much better put than how I wrote
Certainly for some people the greater workload will give them some greater sense of urgency, however for some people having more to do will make them feel like hiding under a rock. It often depends on the type of person you are. If you don't cope with lots of work, then 5 is probably better than 6.