Should I Do Specialist Maths?

[SS1314]

Hello!

I am currently in a dilemma regarding my subject selections for year 11. I have currently chosen to do General Maths as my 6th VCE  subject for next year however I have been recently thinking about changing to Spesh instead. This is because I have heard people say (in ATARNotes) that General/Further Maths is really boring to do and the work is tedious. This is only part of the reason I am rethinking about my subject selection. I have looked through the Spesh 1/2 textbook and I think I can handle the content and it seems only a bit more difficult than Methods 1/2. However, I have heard people (including school teachers) stating that while Spesh 1/2 was only moderately difficult, Spesh 3/4 was "hell". To be honest, I do not want to be spending countless hours on Spesh in year 12 since I am aspiring to get into undergraduate medicine so I have  to also prepare for the UCAT (basically my 7th subject).

In terms of interest, I do not necessarily "enjoy" maths in the general sense however I do find some topics quite interesting (in the Spesh 1/2 book I was attracted to the series and complex numbers' topics). Would this level of interest be sufficient for Spesh?

In terms of my mathematical prowess, I have average around 85% throughout the year for Methods 1/2. Would this level of skill be enough for Spesh? (Assuming that the tests I did were average in terms of difficulty in comparison to all other Victorian schools)

So should I reconsider my subject selection or stick with General? I would love to hear your thoughts 

[AlphaZero]

Hello!

I am currently in a dilemma regarding my subject selections for year 11. I have currently chosen to do General Maths as my 6th VCE  subject for next year however I have been recently thinking about changing to Spesh instead. This is because I have heard people say (in ATARNotes) that General/Further Maths is really boring to do and the work is tedious. This is only part of the reason I am rethinking about my subject selection. I have looked through the Spesh 1/2 textbook and I think I can handle the content and it seems only a bit more difficult than Methods 1/2. However, I have heard people (including school teachers) stating that while Spesh 1/2 was only moderately difficult, Spesh 3/4 was "hell". To be honest, I do not want to be spending countless hours on Spesh in year 12 since I am aspiring to get into undergraduate medicine so I have  to also prepare for the UCAT (basically my 7th subject).

In terms of interest, I do not necessarily "enjoy" maths in the general sense however I do find some topics quite interesting (in the Spesh 1/2 book I was attracted to the series and complex numbers' topics). Would this level of interest be sufficient for Spesh?

In terms of my mathematical prowess, I have average around 85% throughout the year for Methods 1/2. Would this level of skill be enough for Spesh? (Assuming that the tests I did were average in terms of difficulty in comparison to all other Victorian schools)

So should I reconsider my subject selection or stick with General? I would love to hear your thoughts 

Indeed, Specialist units 3&4 is considered quite difficult but I wouldn't call it "hell". Since it looks like you're doing quite well in Methods units 1&2 as a year 10 student, I would encourage you to do it.

If you decide on completing Methods units 3&4 in year 11, you will have such an advantage going into Specialist units 3&4 that I think it is worth taking on.

Most people that decide to take Specialist are ones that already enjoy maths, but based on what you've written here, I think your level of interest is 'sufficient' (as you put it).

Also, remember that these are your subjects for year 11. Should you feel overwhelmed or feel that you won't be able to complete units 3&4 along side your other subjects and the UCAT, you can always drop it for Further units 3&4. However, once you choose General units 1&2, you lock the Specialist maths pathway.

I say give Specialist maths a shot!

[SS1314]

Indeed, Specialist units 3&4 is considered quite difficult but I wouldn't call it "hell". Since it looks like you're doing quite well in Methods units 1&2 as a year 10 student, I would encourage you to do it.

If you decide on completing Methods units 3&4 in year 11, you will have such an advantage going into Specialist units 3&4 that I think it is worth taking on.

Most people that decide to take Specialist are ones that already enjoy maths, but based on what you've written here, I think your level of interest is 'sufficient' (as you put it).

Also, remember that these are your subjects for year 11. Should you feel overwhelmed or feel that you won't be able to complete units 3&4 along side your other subjects and the UCAT, you can always drop it for Further units 3&4. However, once you choose General units 1&2, you lock the Specialist maths pathway.

I say give Specialist maths a shot!

Thank you for your reply  I will be completing Methods 3/4 next year. Do you have any idea of how many people complete Methods 3/4 prior to doing Spesh 3/4? (Rough estimate would be fine)

[AlphaZero]

Thank you for your reply  I will be completing Methods 3/4 next year. Do you have any idea of how many people complete Methods 3/4 prior to doing Spesh 3/4? (Rough estimate would be fine)

I would guess that most students that do Methods units 3&4 in year 11 would take Specialist units 3&4 in year 12 with a small few also taking Uni extension maths. But, I have no idea what proportion of Specialist students would have already completed Methods units 3&4. My guess is anywhere from 5% to 20% of the cohort.

[SS1314]

I would guess that most students that do Methods units 3&4 in year 11 would take Specialist units 3&4 in year 12 with a small few also taking Uni extension maths. But, I have no idea what proportion of Specialist students would have already completed Methods units 3&4. My guess is anywhere from 5% to 20% of the cohort.

Thank you for your support. I have chosen to do Specialist Maths next year and I hope it goes well

[a weaponized ikea chair]

Thank you for your support. I have chosen to do Specialist Maths next year and I hope it goes well

Hey!

How is specialist going?

I am in the same position as you this year as you were last year.