Dropping physics

[manneken]

Hi, I'm in desperate need of some advice.

This year I'm doing 3/4 physics, busman, economics, english, and methods. Didn't do a 3/4 in year 11.

I desperately want to get into bachelor of commerce at melbourne university but that needs a 25 raw in methods. I'm thinking of dropping physics so that I have more time to spend on studying methods but I don't know if it's worth it?

Right now i'm averaging ~50% physics, and honestly failing methods. But I don't want to drop methods because of prereqs. But idk if dropping physics is a good idea because then I'll only have FOUR 3/4s to count towards my atar.

So should I drop physics and hopefully with the extra time I'll be able to have a better chance of getting 25 in methods? Plz help me I'd love to hear some different opinions.

[s110820]

Personally, I think it would depend on whether you enjoy studying physics or not. But if your average for Physics is around 50%, this grade will definitely bring your ATAR down and since physics isn't a prerequisite for commerce at the University of Melbourne, I think you should drop Physics and focus more on Methods. Similarly, if physics is a prerequisite for another course that you're interested in, you could always do a bridging program for the subject of physics if you need to, as many universities offer this opportunity to students but you may have to do a bit of research. But of course, if you do want to focus on and improve your Methods grade more, I would definitely recommend seeking help from your teachers, the ATAR Notes community within the forums and/or a VCE Methods tutor as it would most definitely help you improve your grade.

I hope that helps

Have a great week and kind regards,

Darcy Dillon.

[eloisegrace]

If you think it will help your methods grade improve, and you are willing to put time into your other 3/4 subjects, I think it is best to see if you can drop physics. However, it may not be possible at this late stage however due to COVID-19 there may be some changes as to when you can withdraw from a 3/4 subject. Definitely flag the option with your school and see what is possible 

[manneken]

If you think it will help your methods grade improve, and you are willing to put time into your other 3/4 subjects, I think it is best to see if you can drop physics. However, it may not be possible at this late stage however due to COVID-19 there may be some changes as to when you can withdraw from a 3/4 subject. Definitely flag the option with your school and see what is possible 

Thanks. My school says I'm still allowed to drop it if I wish.


I'm worried about only having 4 vce subjects to count towards my ATAR, especially when 2 of them both scale down a lot.

Does anyone know if it's possible to get a >93 with only english, busman, economics, and methods?

[eloisegrace]

I'm worried about only having 4 vce subjects to count towards my ATAR, especially when 2 of them both scale down a lot.

Does anyone know if it's possible to get a >93 with only english, busman, economics, and methods?

It is definitely possible to get at 93+ ATAR with those subjects. As long as you continue working and studying hard I think it is definitely possible.

However, another option is to consider is to keep all 5 subjects and focus on those 4. This means that you may get 10% of your lowest score towards your ATAR, which could slightly increase your ATAR.

Additionally, for Melbourne Uni, there is something called Access Melbourne which lowers the ATAR Required to 88.
You can look at this link for details - https://study.unimelb.edu.au/how-to-apply/special-entry-access-schemes/access-melbourne-undergraduate/eligibility

[undefined]

Hi, I'm in desperate need of some advice.

This year I'm doing 3/4 physics, busman, economics, english, and methods. Didn't do a 3/4 in year 11.

I desperately want to get into bachelor of commerce at melbourne university but that needs a 25 raw in methods. I'm thinking of dropping physics so that I have more time to spend on studying methods but I don't know if it's worth it?

Right now i'm averaging ~50% physics, and honestly failing methods. But I don't want to drop methods because of prereqs. But idk if dropping physics is a good idea because then I'll only have FOUR 3/4s to count towards my atar.

So should I drop physics and hopefully with the extra time I'll be able to have a better chance of getting 25 in methods? Plz help me I'd love to hear some different opinions.

I think you should keep it. When I was in year 12 I pretty much gave up on one of my subjects 2 weeks in and the other after about one term. I decided not to drop any of them and instead just focus on my other four. It didn't really affect me negatively other than hurting my feelings a bit when I got like 40% on them :p but yeah the extra subjects can only boost your ATAR (as long as the ones you don't try in don't end up in your top 4). If you feel like you would be better off focusing on four then you can do that too but your fifth can only benefit you even if you don't try. I got 28 and 32 in my 5th and 6th without much effort and still got into the course I wanted so take my experience as you will.

[manneken]

It is definitely possible to get at 93+ ATAR with those subjects. As long as you continue working and studying hard I think it is definitely possible.

However, another option is to consider is to keep all 5 subjects and focus on those 4. This means that you may get 10% of your lowest score towards your ATAR, which could slightly increase your ATAR.

Additionally, for Melbourne Uni, there is something called Access Melbourne which lowers the ATAR Required to 88.
You can look at this link for details - https://study.unimelb.edu.au/how-to-apply/special-entry-access-schemes/access-melbourne-undergraduate/eligibility

I don't think I qualify for access melbourne unfortunately. Would be great though ha.

@Eloisegrace @undefined thank you so much for both of your advice. I reckon I'll keep physics - figures that even if I get a raw 10 that's 1 aggregate right?

Thanks again.

[TheEagle]

Some questions I have:

1.) Were you the only one with that mark (%) or did the rest of the class perform otherwise?
2.) A 25 isn't that challenging in physics given you know how to apply formulas and by doing a bit of past exams so I come to ask what is it that you think is stopping you from performing better?

[manneken]

Some questions I have:

1.) Were you the only one with that mark (%) or did the rest of the class perform otherwise?
2.) A 25 isn't that challenging in physics given you know how to apply formulas and by doing a bit of past exams so I come to ask what is it that you think is stopping you from performing better?

I dont know how the rest of the class did but my friends all scored in the 70-90% range.

I haven't even started past exams yet . I think it's that i have a poor foundation? I was never good at science in general but when I did subject selections i didn't know what else to do. I'm not really aiming for a 25 in physics though, like idrc what I get as long as i get the methods prereq and ATAR score. I think it's dragging down how i'm doing in methods because i spend approx the same amount of effort in both.

[eloisegrace]

I haven't even started past exams yet . I think it's that i have a poor foundation? I was never good at science in general but when I did subject selections i didn't know what else to do. I'm not really aiming for a 25 in physics though, like idrc what I get as long as i get the methods prereq and ATAR score. I think it's dragging down how i'm doing in methods because i spend approx the same amount of effort in both.

Definitely do NOT worry about not having started practice exams. We are only in the middle of term 2 with at least the whole of Unit 4 left. I would suggest in your case to split the time that you were originally putting into methods and physics (50/50ish) into approximately 75% methods and 25% physics. You will hopefully see overtime that you improve in methods and can maybe even out this ratio towards exam revision season.

Note: A study score of 25 is approximately the bottom 20/25% so I think it is extremely possible for you to achieve these scores with some revision and practice. Good luck with your future studies!