Subject selection advice/Sci Ext (2 Viewers)

[011235]

hey all,

As it is now subject selection time I have been looking at what I want to do over the next two years. Aiming for UNSW CompSci (hopefully some form of scholarship also). Currently Currently I am doing accelerated math extension 1 (prelims this year, HSC next year). My current thoughts are;
y11: english ext, math ext (2021), phys, chem, sdd
y12: english adv, math ext1 (2022), math ext2 (2023), phys, chem, sdd, sci ext

I have two (unrelated) questions;

1. is there a compelling reason for me to do sor 1 (the only 1 unit subject offered rn) instead of english ext, given my situation. My main reasoning for doing english ext over that is that i think it might help me with skills for english adv in y12 but i hear it is quite a lot of work
2. given that using the subjects above I would complete 13 units for y12 but only do 10 in 2023 is it a bad idea to do math ext2 and sci ext together.

If anyone has any other advice or things anything I am doing is a bad idea plz lmk. I really don't like too much overly free-response questions (cough essays) and don't currently enjoy humanities hence my lack of them.

Can anyone who has done science extension give a bit of insight into the process of doing their research report (this is the main attraction of the subject for me) and how they found the course in general. I'm a bit worried abt the ~7% E4 rate as well.

Other things FWIW
- 30s ranked school
- current ranks for math prelims: 4/120 (x1) 7/155 (adv)

all replies appreciated, tyyy in advance

 

[jimmysmith560]

English Extension 1 seems like a viable option to take in year 11 if your intention is to use the knowledge you gain in this subject to complement your English Advanced performance. It also seems viable because you'll be doing it in year 11 and then dropping it in year 12, meaning nothing you do in English Extension 1 will count towards your ATAR. The only problem with doing English Extension 1 is that it is likely to be a demanding subject, which is something you should probably avoid, particularly because you're doing accelerated Mathematics Extension 1, which will have most of your focus during year 11 because you'll be sitting the HSC exam for that in year 11. Studies of Religion I could be a solution to this because I believe it is a content-based subject, so the most important aspect is your knowledge of the content. The only problem I think you might face in SOR I is having to write long responses/essays, which you mentioned you don't like, but I guess that wouldn't really affect you that much since you'll be dropping it in year 12 anyway.

Regarding Science Extension, I would suggest seeing how you go in year 11 with HSC Mathematics Extension 1 as well as Preliminary Physics and Chemistry. If by the end of year 11 you are satisfied with how you've dealt with those subjects, then you should probably consider taking Science Extension in year 12. Keep in mind that Mathematics Extension 2 is a more difficult subject than Mathematics Extension 1, meaning it will likely require more attention and study time. I would personally recommend not taking Science Extension, not only because you would then have to deal with too many subjects, but also because your subject selection already comprises high scaling subjects. I believe the following combination to be the best for you in year 12:

• English Advanced
• Mathematics Extension 1 (which you would've already completed)
• Mathematics Extension 2
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Software Design and Development

Alternatively, you can always take Science Extension in year 12 and see how you go. If at some point you find that the workload has become overwhelming, you can always drop Science Extension.

I hope this helps!

 

[011235]

Thanks, this is very helpful insight

 

[jimmysmith560]

Thanks, this is very helpful insight

No worries, all the best!

 

[011235]

From my experience this year, the work in MX1 (1 unit) I spend about the same time as on as MAdv (2 units), I would expect that MX2 take even more time (for the 1 unit), would anyone know around how much that would be out of interest.

 

[ezOolong]

don't know about english and sdd but workload wise (to do well):
phys = chem >= 4U maths > 3U maths >> sci extension

so I reckon if you excel in sci ext, keep it rather than 4U because it's quite a trek

 

[ezOolong]

don't know about english and sdd but workload wise (to do well):
phys = chem >= 4U maths > 3U maths >> sci extension

so I reckon if you excel in sci ext, keep it rather than 4U because it's quite a trek

but apparently sci ext is a lot on research and reports, which is absolutely my nightmare, so I didn't really think of doing it at all;; just a thought

 

[scoobertdoobert]

I do sci ex as well as chem, physics and x1 maths and would say it is by far the lowest workload of those subjects, the content is quite straightforward - particularly with the general scientific understanding you gain from chem and phys, and the major work (which is not a 'real' major work as not marked by nesa, the exam is only external mark) is only 3000 words - quite doable within the summer holidays if you choose a topic which is not overambitious.

Choosing a research topic with easily accessible information that is not overly complicated or even better that you can conduct yourself as a primary investigation would be my biggest tip for the subject. I wasted a lot of time attempting to find data for an overly ambitious meta analysis and have instead found success in doing a relatively simple physics primary investigation.

I would suggest doing science ex if you find you do well in chem and physics (I found the practical components of physics with uncertainty calculations the most reflective of sci ex), however I do see you have a lot of demanding subjects so even not doing that extra unit could be valuable.

If you have anymore questions abt sci ex let me know

 

[011235]

Thanks that's some useful insight. I still have a year to fully decide on sci ext so I think I'll see how I go in terms of workload next year and see if it would be viable for me to do it.

I'm a little confused abt the assessments for it. If the report itself isn't marked then is the external component just the HSC exam? Do the internal assessments relate to the report?

 

[scoobertdoobert]

Thanks that's some useful insight. I still have a year to fully decide on sci ext so I think I'll see how I go in terms of workload next year and see if it would be viable for me to do it.

I'm a little confused abt the assessments for it. If the report itself isn't marked then is the external component just the HSC exam? Do the internal assessments relate to the report?

Happy to help - yeah it surprised me too, but the research report only counts for 40% of the internal and the external mark is all the HSC exam. The exam does ask you to make reference to your report though, particularly in the 15 mark questions. This is another benefit of doing a primary investigation - it is easier to effectively discuss the measures you took to ensure reliability/validity/accuracy. Your report is also uploaded to nesa but not marked by them. (not entirely sure the purpose of this - I think it's only so they can provide you access the report for referencing during the external)