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March 29, 2024, 04:19:58 am

Author Topic: Psych or bio  (Read 2594 times)  Share 

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ianchiu03

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Psych or bio
« on: March 08, 2019, 08:27:16 am »
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Hey everyone,
I'm currently in the process of choosing a 3/4 subject for year 11. Which one of psychology or biology requires less study time or give me a greater chance at achieving a higher study score?
Cheers

Joseph41

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Re: Psych or bio
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2019, 09:58:18 am »
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Hey ianchiu03! Welcome to the forums. :)

This probably isn't the answer you're looking for (it would be nice if subject selection were super easy haha), but I don't think either subject is inherently easier or requires more or less time. Both are similar in that there's content you'll have to remember and then apply for SACs and exams. Both are similar in the sense that, to do well, you'll need to invest some time - how much time exactly is probably more contingent on things like how you study rather than the subject itself (IMO).

To throw some questions back at you, have you studied Units 1&2 of either subject? What do you think your other 3&4 subjects will be? Are you currently leaning toward one more than the other? :)

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Macrophagee

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Re: Psych or bio
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2019, 04:59:23 pm »
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Hey
I only did bio 3/4 in year 11 and there is alot of content to memorise which may be a problem if you don't enjoy content heavy subjects. Hoewver, there are more application style questions where you will need to relate the scenario to a biological process (for example, last year's exam had a botox question that was really asking about immunity).

ianchiu03

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Re: Psych or bio
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2019, 05:03:21 pm »
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Hey Joseph41,
I haven't studied Units 1&2 of either of these subjects, but I am slightly leaning toward studying pschology. Currently I am planning to study chemistry, Latin, English, Maths methods and specialist maths as my other five in year 12.
Would you know which subject out of biology or psychology has the least amount of content?
Thanks

HonoraryStudent

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Re: Psych or bio
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2019, 12:16:38 pm »
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Hey Joseph41,
I haven't studied Units 1&2 of either of these subjects, but I am slightly leaning toward studying pschology. Currently I am planning to study chemistry, Latin, English, Maths methods and specialist maths as my other five in year 12.
Would you know which subject out of biology or psychology has the least amount of content?
Thanks

ayyyyy
good question I was stuck in the same boat as u
both biology and psychology are fairly similar in applying knowledge to the real world.
To make life easier - in my opinion I chose psychology
cause it's more interesting, relatable and most students find to grasp the information they are given.
Yes, u need to memorise some content but it's fairly straight forward if u put in the effort.

Also btw the ATAR Notes,  Psychology Notes and Topic Tests are ammamazing - I give credit where given and this really cements my knowledge in the subject. I recommend looking at past VCAA exams for bio and psych and seeing which one interest u more.
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dashnog

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Re: Psych or bio
« Reply #5 on: April 27, 2019, 04:56:00 pm »
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Psychology from an objective standpoint is easier. I'm currently accelerating both 3/4 Bio and 3/4 Psych at the moment, and psych is for sure easier. There is far less content to memorise, and it is easier to understand the language surrounding the theory. It is also fairly applicable to real life scenarios and experiences everyone has had, so it's far quicker to be able to consolidate the information by relating it back to your own experiences.

Biology on the other hand is far more content-heavy compared to psych, and I'm surprised it doesn't get scaled more. I find 3/4 bio harder than my chemistry class (although maybe that's because it's only 1/2). Biology is surrounded by a lot of technical jargon which takes quite a while to understand and it is not nearly as easy to consolidate the information using real life examples.

So, I'd say that if you want the harder route with more technical stuff that makes you sounds like a nerdy scientist, biology is your go. Psychology is easier to understand, and if you want to focus on other areas that are more technical, psych is reasonably laid back so long as you pay attention to what is being said.
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