A Student's Guide to Surviving HSC 3U Maths

Olivia is a current Year 12 student. For all things 3U Maths, check this out!

The main reason why students take up HSC 3U Maths is because they love a challenge, and they certainly got a challenge. Extension Math gets difficult because you need to be able to differentiate the 2U method and a 3U method. On top of that, you have more content to cover, as well as being able to cover more content at a faster rate. Nevertheless, there are many ways you can do to survive Extension Math.

Note: Some of these tips are also applicable to Mathematics as well.

Understanding the Content

My biggest emphasis in understanding the content is to be able to understand the basic concepts. Considering how you’ll be sitting for two papers, make sure you understand the 2U component before proceeding to the 3U area. Make sure you differentiate which parts are 2U and 3U. For example, you need to be able to understand trig properties and double angles from the preliminary course so you can understand how integrating trig functions through double angle formula. I cannot emphasise enough how important homework is in being able to understand the content. You hear teachers say this a lot – that’s because you need to make sure your 2U foundations are covered.

Moving on and understanding the HSC 3U Maths content may take awhile – personally, I didn’t understand parametrics until a few months later. Take your time to understand the derivations of the formula and applying the formulae to simple questions. Personally, even though teachers may go through the content quickly, don’t succumb to the pressure to understand the concept in one night. Understanding difficult concepts take time.

Once you’re able to complete textbook-based questions, challenge yourself with some exam-style questions. The difference between textbook questions and exam questions is that the purpose of a textbook is to build up your confidence. Questions in each exercise start from easy to hard. However, exam questions challenge you by applying these concepts to real-life situations or ask you to think about these concepts in a different way. Nevertheless, try doing a question from a past paper that relates to your topic.

Personally, a past paper from your school would be the best but if your school doesn’t give you past papers, then try digging through other schools’ trial papers or HSC papers. The reason why I would recommend your own school’s paper is because your exams will be written by the teachers in your school until trials (if you go to a private school) or the HSC – you might as well get used to them. Furthermore, depending on the philosophy of your teachers, some teachers believe that they should be assessing you on what you know at the moment rather than assessing you at HSC level because all students are working towards HSC level – no one starts off with a strong understanding of a concept. However, some teachers may throw you HSC questions off the bat. Know what your teacher expects and then decide from there whether you should attempt a HSC level question or not.

Studying for HSC 3U Maths

I’ve emphasised the importance of study notes before. However, I do not recommend study notes for math. The main thing you’re being assessed on in math is your skills. Past papers is the key. I’ve emphasised this in the previous section on how important past papers are.

Nevertheless, formula books are also useful. Essentially, it’s an A5 book and it’s filled with all the formulae you’ve come across. It’s very useful for the formulae that isn’t provided in the formula sheet or if the derivative of a formulae is extremely important. Here’s a sample from my formula book:

No need to make it colourful, but I like including colour in my formula book to make studying less dreary. That being said, you shouldn’t be investing all your study time making a formula book. You should be making it as you encounter new formula. Your formula book is more like a summary of your textbook.

Study groups are also really helpful for studying HSC 3U Maths. Studying with other people makes it easier to approach difficult questions. Make sure you plan the study group and limit the number of participants to at least three to five people. Plan what you want to cover – perhaps you want to revise a certain topic together or do a past paper. Whatever it is, make sure everyone agrees with the agenda. I would suggest that you should at least attempt one HSC question together. This allows you to learn from others and allow other people to consolidate their knowledge.

Here are a few ways you can do to survive HSC 3U Maths. Even though this article is filled with advice on how to do well in Extension Math, it takes time and effort for you to do well. You’re doing this subject because you enjoy a challenge, so don’t be disheartened if you don’t do as well as you want to. Success doesn’t occur overnight – no one is at a Band Six level immediately. Remember, past papers is the key to doing well.

Looking for some study motivation? Check out @studywithlivia.