Dropping MX1?

[gumscape]

hello! I'm currently in year 12 and doing 11 units and I just need some advice on whether to drop MX1.

I'm doing:
1. ESL (ranked 5th internally, last exam got 95)
2. Adv Maths (ranked in top 20/160)
3. MX1 (ranked 26/60)
4. Economics (ranked 20/30)
5. Biology (ranked 15/83)
6. Vietnamese cont. (ranked 3/47)

So what I'm thinking about is that should I drop ext. 1 maths and focus on maximising marks for other subjects (economics for example. i'm dying.) and I'm quite certain that MX1 will be my lowest HSC marks (I'm aiming for 92+ ATAR), so it won't be counted since I'm doing 11 units, should I just drop it now then? I'm staying mostly for the "scaling" but like you guys have said it can be punishing if you don't do THAT well.
I really enjoy MX1 and how it can be quite challenging, but it is a lot of extra effort for just one extra unit.
One of my teachers said that I should wait as close to the actual HSC to drop as possible, but I'm not too sure how that is different from dropping now.

Please help, I'm stressing out!!!
Thanks!!!

[clovvy]

hello! I'm currently in year 12 and doing 11 units and I just need some advice on whether to drop MX1.

I'm doing:
1. ESL (ranked 5th internally, last exam got 95)
2. Adv Maths (ranked in top 20/160)
3. MX1 (ranked 26/60)
4. Economics (ranked 20/30)
5. Biology (ranked 15/83)
6. Vietnamese cont. (ranked 3/47)

So what I'm thinking about is that should I drop ext. 1 maths and focus on maximising marks for other subjects (economics for example. i'm dying.) and I'm quite certain that MX1 will be my lowest HSC marks (I'm aiming for 92+ ATAR), so it won't be counted since I'm doing 11 units, should I just drop it now then? I'm staying mostly for the "scaling" but like you guys have said it can be punishing if you don't do THAT well.
I really enjoy MX1 and how it can be quite challenging, but it is a lot of extra effort for just one extra unit.
One of my teachers said that I should wait as close to the actual HSC to drop as possible, but I'm not too sure how that is different from dropping now.

Please help, I'm stressing out!!!
Thanks!!!

Judging from your rank, MX1 should be manageable, and trust me it gets better if you work on it consistently (of course balance out with your other subjects)... the good thing about MX1 is that the syllabus is intertwined with 2U... therefore you can study for both simultaneously and have extra skills you learn from MX1 to solve harder 2U questions which will benefit you a great deal as you may solve the questions in a much quicker way (personally this is what I find and my MX1 marks aren't great either in year 11, but I persist on continuing and my marks have improved but I also balance my other subjects)... I think focusing too much on one thing is NOT the best way because you will find yourself forgetting stuff quickly than studying different subjects in one day (I don't know about you, but it works for me)... I would say keep it for now and see how you go, also X1 is recommended for A LOT of uni degrees

[jamonwindeyer]

A few additional points:

- Clovvy is right, MX1 is recommended for many STEM degrees, but it's not the content that is useful. They are just saying that you should expect a level of mathematical difficulty consistent with what MX1 students could handle. 2U is the one you want to keep to make sure you're okay for university
- Scaling is a terrible reason to stay in a course, if that is the only reason you are there you should drop! But you said you do enjoy it as well!
- If you do want to drop, you are far better to do it now and maximise the benefits of the extra time

If you enjoy the content and the course, stay. If you are hating it, leave! Your marks are definitely solid enough to stick on but you need to want to work and improve

[clovvy]

A few additional points:

- Clovvy is right, MX1 is recommended for many STEM degrees, but it's not the content that is useful. They are just saying that you should expect a level of mathematical difficulty consistent with what MX1 students could handle. 2U is the one you want to keep to make sure you're okay for university
- Scaling is a terrible reason to stay in a course, if that is the only reason you are there you should drop! But you said you do enjoy it as well!
- If you do want to drop, you are far better to do it now and maximise the benefits of the extra time

If you enjoy the content and the course, stay. If you are hating it, leave! Your marks are definitely solid enough to stick on but you need to want to work and improve

I totally agree with Jamon here, tbh I am not the best MX1 student and in fact I am terrible in yr 11, but I do like the course a lot which is why I improved, you did mention that you liked the course so just keep it because there is no point dropping something you liked.... I did mention that the syllabus is intertwined (except for inverse function, perms & coms which helps for 2U probability anyway, binomial theorem)... that extra skill slot will help your 2U A LOT... just balance out your time and 11 units is very possible to get 92+

[gumscape]

Thank you both SO much! I think I just might hang onto MX1 for another term and see where I will end up! I do have quite a big love for Maths, that's why I'm so torn about dropping extension or not ;( I have made up my mind now, thanks to you two!!! <3

[clovvy]

You are welcome anytime friend, the ATAR Notes community is here to help each other out, that is what I like about them and I will try to help others as much as I can with all I have (however my skills are VERY LIMITED so I can't contribute that much)..
You love the subject, you will do well in it if you put in effort.. if you love maths MX1 is just right for you then (your rank is not too bad and you like the subject so why drop?)