Picking up spec maths

[SoLe!]

Hey, new here
I'm doing year 11, and im really worried. I really,really, REALLY wanna do law. I want (need) a enter score of 99.00, so im guaranteed a spot in law at melb or monash. Im doing Psych, Economics, English, Math Methods CAS (i do extension, did 1/2 in year 10, like doing 3/4 without sacs, mediocre results) Chem and History. My problem is this, a guy i talk to in year 12 pretty much said i should do spec maths if i want a high enter since im not doing a language (damn year 7 french teachers putting me off!). However, i haven't completed units 1/2. I find maths relatively boring, but im decent at it. Is it worth dropping History (which i find mediocre, but more interesting slightly then maths) and picking up spec? Mind you this would be from next year.

Also 1 last thing, I received a score in psychology of 94/100 for my SACS, and an A+ in my mid year, i looked at your predicitions and can't help but feel pessimistic. However my teacher who has been teaching pysch for 7 years, and contributed to the whatsamajiggy book said i would get a mid to high 40s score if i continued (predicted after mid-year). Do you agree/disagree? Bare in mind last year, 50% of people doing psych at my school got a 40 or over (apparently).

any tips much appreciated. these can be general or specific. Also are there other ways, or things that give me better chances of getting into law? 

p.s sorry for spelling, PUNCTUATION IS TO MUCH EFFORT

[Voltman]

You should do Specialist if you are aiming that high. I am aiming for a 90+ ENTER and I will also be doing Specialist because of that. I also don't do a language, so I am pretty much in the same boat as you (assuming you will do Specialist of course). But of course, you have to put other things into consideration, for example your mathematical abilities, your 'likeness' for it, and whether it will help with the course that you want to get into.Teachers often discourage students doing Specialist but if you are aiming for 90+ and are average or better at math than I'd recommend. But of course, I've never done Specialist, so who am I to say.

[bucket]

you need to put a lot of work into it if you want to do well in specialists, and well, enjoyment = motivation so you probably will find it hard to do all the hours of homework youll need to do if you don't like it.

[xox.happy1.xox]

Lol, I picked up specialist because of the scaling... Big mistake for me! Not only can't I do methods, but specialist... Don't even ask

If you are mathematically inclined, however, then go for it, the scaling might actually help you! I know it won't help me though.

[cara.mel]

I personally believe picking up subjects because they scale good is utterly stupid. You're much better off doing something you enjoy, and hence you'll do better at it, and hence after scaling you'll have a similar study score anyway.

Unless you're aiming for 99.95, you don't need to do spec/language. You can get up to 99.90 with just humanities subjects.

[ninwa]

DON'T pick up a subject just for its scaling!!

Do the ones you are good at and will get a high study score for. If you don't like maths, then don't do spesh, stick with a subject you like and will study well for.

You can DEFINITELY get into law without doing spesh. I did, and I can think of about 6-7 of my uni friends who did.

Just for the record too, 3 of my primary 4 were English, music and business management, not sciences or maths.

[orsel]

DON'T pick up a subject just for its scaling!!

Well, don't drop a subject just because you don't enjoy it either.

I feel that it is naive to simply advocate selection of subjects based on 'enjoyment'. Admittedly, scaling is not the end all be all, but it is a factor to be considered, along with any other factors. I personally do not enjoy maths, but I have enough ability in it and that is all that matters to me.

Whether you like it or not, that scaling is very useful.

[SoLe!]

DON'T pick up a subject just for its scaling!!

Well, don't drop a subject just because you don't enjoy it either.

I feel that it is naive to simply advocate selection of subjects based on 'enjoyment'. Admittedly, scaling is not the end all be all, but it is a factor to be considered, along with any other factors. I personally do not enjoy maths, but I have enough ability in it and that is all that matters to me.

Whether you like it or not, that scaling is very useful.

thats exactly my issue

[orsel]

Well you're gonna have to decide if you have the following:
- ability to do well in spesh
- enough determination to give up a year of your life to it

A very short list, but its much easier said than done. It doesn't actually take too much to dedicate yourself to something you don't enjoy, though. If you don't have the self control, then just ask your parents to take away distractions eg xbox, allowance, tv.

Seeing as you need a very high ENTER I'd recommend spesh to you, but only if you've got the guts to do what it takes.

[ninwa]

Do the ones you are good at and will get a high study score for.

[orsel]

Point being?

If you don't like maths, then don't do spesh.

[Robbo]

Look take this from one doing specialist and is aiming for a 40 raw in it. Specialist is challenging. But look at things in another way. If u got a 50% on exam 2, did u know you would get most years an A. That may equate to (assuming that you do well on exam 1 such as about 70%)  a raw 36-38 which will go up to about a 46. Spec will need more attention than other subjects no doubt. But as my teacher says you don't go into a spec exam expecting to get most of the exam rite nor do you need to. And another thing you have going for you if you do it is that with such a high aim you have (compared to me just wanting a 95.6 to do commerce at melb uni) motivation won't be an issue. If you give it your all theres no way you can get below a mid 40.

[bilgia]

thats bs dude, i got A on spesh exam 2 and im 100% sure i did better than 50% on it. Along with A+ from exam 1 that gives me 38 raw.

[Flaming_Arrow]

thats bs dude, i got A on spesh exam 2 and im 100% sure i did better than 50% on it. Along with A+ from exam 1 that gives me 38 raw.

yea i agree with you

[ninwa]

Point being?

If you don't like maths, then don't do spesh.

My point is please refrain from selective quoting to make it appear like I'm arguing something which I'm not.

I was saying that being good at a subject + liking it are pretty important to doing well.

Sorry if that point didn't get across to you.