Is the exam really the be all end all?

[Coolgalbornin03Lo]

I have underperformed in all SACs this year and have averaged 75% in both units and it’s due to silly things like addressing fatty acids instead of triglycerides. This is because In online SACs you have to keep scrolling up and down and it’s extremely annoying bug never mind that’s no excuse- it’s my bad.

If I do well in the exam (like 85%+) would that really be the thing to save me seeing as it’s only worth 60%. I don’t understand how bombing SACs but doing well on the exam can get you a 40 study score it makes no sense to me. SACs are still a whole 40%. Although I guess 60% cancels out 40% two and a half times........

Also will 70% on SACs always translate to the B grade on the VCAA distribution or is that determined by ranking? For example top 40 people are above B+ range.

I would like a 40 in chemistry more than anything in the WORLD, and am working extremely hard (so don’t come here with that “your lazy” talk) but it looks like my window of opportunity has just gotten smaller since receiving my very last sac result. I am now being realistic as to whether I should just give up and focus on other subjects where a 40 is more plausible.

[whys]

The reason that exams are considered the be all end all is that they have the potential to scale your SACs, which depends not only on your performance but the performance of your peers. Yes, in most subjects exams are worth more than SACs, but it's the scaling that can act to help push someone's study score up. That being said, you can't bomb all your SACs, expect to smash the exam and get a 40+. HOWEVER, from your scores, you don't seem to have done as bad as you think, and I still firmly believe that a very good exam score can get you the score you want. If you can do really well on the exam then yes, theoretically, you can get a 40+. Without worrying too much about the technical side of things, trying your best from now will serve you well, since moderation is only partially in your control. What you can do now is work hard - I believe in you! - to do your best on the exam.

It's up to you where you want to focus your attention and how much time you want to spend on each subject, but I don't think you should give up now because there is still the possibility of doing well on the exam. I understand how demotivating a 'bad' SAC mark can be, but take it as a learning opportunity for the exam.