Choosing your HSC subjects
Choosing your HSC subjects can be a nerve-wraking process, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some guidelines for making your choices:
- Art of Smart [https://www.artofsmart.com.au/what-hsc-subjects-should-you-choose/]. Please ignore the advertising!
- ATAR Notes [https://atarnotes.com/hsc-subjects/]
- University of Sydney [https://sydney.edu.au/campus-life/student-news/2018/03/06/dos-and-donts-of-hsc-subject-selection.html]
Sometimes it is easier to think about your skills and preferred learning styles than specific subjects. This outline grousp subjects in ways you might not have thought about before. You can use it to decide which subjects to shortlist or to avoid.
COMING SOON - I NEED TO FIND AND UPLOAD DOC!
COMING SOON - I NEED TO FIND AND UPLOAD DOC!
Frequently asked Questions
This is a list of questions I get asked a lot around subject selection time. They are pretty general answers based on my team-teaching experiences, so make sure you clarify them with the subject teachers who will be teaching the courses next year.
What's the difference between Community and Family Studies and Society and Culture?
CAFS and Society and Culture are both sociology subjects, but they differ in their approach:
Community and Family Studies takes a very practical approach to Sociology including looking at leadership, diversity, child development, parenting, cultural identity, youth, migrants, ATSIC people, people with disabilities. At the beginning of year 12 you will learn about different ways to do research and do a term-long Independent Project on any sociology topic of your choice using methodologies such as questionnaires and interviews. These are university skills that will be of great benefit in the future. This IP is not a major work, but it will be an important assessment task. The HSC exam consists of 20 multiple choice questions and a range of mini-essay (250+ words) questions and one guided essay question. You can look at an exam paper and the examiners comments here.
Community and Family Studies takes a very practical approach to Sociology including looking at leadership, diversity, child development, parenting, cultural identity, youth, migrants, ATSIC people, people with disabilities. At the beginning of year 12 you will learn about different ways to do research and do a term-long Independent Project on any sociology topic of your choice using methodologies such as questionnaires and interviews. These are university skills that will be of great benefit in the future. This IP is not a major work, but it will be an important assessment task. The HSC exam consists of 20 multiple choice questions and a range of mini-essay (250+ words) questions and one guided essay question. You can look at an exam paper and the examiners comments here.
In contrast, Society and Culture takes a broader approach, looking at how people form their identity though social interactions, and studies this from a micro (individual) and macro (global) perspective, as well as finding out how things have changed over time. You'll learn about how socialisation and rites of passage, ways people communicate within and across cultures, how people interact with cultural institutions such as religious belief systems, and the ways popular culture influences us. You will also complete a year-long Personal Interest Project throughout all year 12 on any sociology topic of your choice using methodologies such as case studies, observations, surveys and interviews. This is similar to a major work or an honours thesis at university and is worth 40% of your HSC mark. Getting through a PIP will set you up with wonderful skills for getting the most out of any humanties course at university.The exam (worth 60%) consists of a small number of multiple choice and short answer questions, and two essays. You can look at an exam paper and the examiners comments here.
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Which should I pick: Visual Arts, Textiles and Design or Design and Technology?
These are all good subjects to choose if you are a creative person and/or enjoy working with your hands. If you are interested in any of these subjects, make sure you go to the Yr 12 Soiree in Term 3 to see all the different mediums you could choose from for your Visual Arts or Design and Technology major work. If you are interested in sewing and/or fashion, it's best to choose Textiles and Design, but you could also create a Textile Art major work in Visual Arts or Design and Technology. All of these subjects have major works, so make don't choose more than one of them unless you have excellent organisation skills, because the works are pretty much all due at the same time. You should also be careful choosing these subjects along with other subjects that include major works, like Music, Drama or Society and culture.
Visual Arts teaches you about a range of artists and artworks from different cultures and historical periods, with particular emphasis on contemporary and Australian artists. You learn about the different ways art can be interpreted and the role of art in different contexts, as well as investigating lots of different ways of making art and developing your own art practice. This is examined in critical essay format, so don't expect to be drawing or painting in every lesson. In year 12 you will need to spend time creating a substantial Body of Work. This is a great chance to explore and develop your skills in your chosen medium and will contribute to 50% your HSC exam mark. The HSC exam consists of several extended response questions and one essay. You can look at an exam paper and the examiners comments here. If you're considering Visual Arts but you don't think you're creative enough or you're worried about scaling, check out Art of Smart (but ignore the advertising). This is the best course to choose if you want to study Visual Arts or Graphics at TAFE or university. It is also worth considering if you are looking at studying any other types of design (eg fashion or interior decorating).
Textiles and Design gives you the chance to study textiles/fashion from a wide range of perspectives. You will learn about how different fibres and fabrics are made, as well as learning about fashion in different historical and cultural contexts, and exploring and experimenting with the techniques involved in garment making. A large percentage of your class time will be spent studying these theoretical textile concepts, so don't expect to be sewing every lesson. In addition you will study recent innovations and current trends in textiles and use the design process to develop an original idea and make and market your creation. Your major work may be a garment, costume, furnishing or piece of textile art. Together with your portfolio, this will constitute 50% of your HSC exam mark. The HSC exam consists of multiple choice and short answer questions, as well as two short essay questions. You can look at an exam paper and the examiners comments here. Choose Textiles and Design if you are thinking about a career in fashion or you just enjoy sewing. You might also consider textiles if you would like to study interior design. Design and Technology is different to the other courses in that it focuses almost entirely on the design process. You will learn everything about product development from market research about current trends and client needs, through the design process (including issues such as safety, ethics and sustainability) to innovation and marketing. This is a great chance to develop a professional project and portfolio which will contribute to 40% and 20% of your HSC exam mark respectively. The exam is only worth 40% of your total mark and consists of multiple choice and short answer questions, as well as one long answer question. You can look at an exam paper and the examiners comments here. If you are interested in a career in any form of product development, interior design or architecture, then this is subject for you. You may also wish to consider Design and Technology if you enjoy artisan-style crafts such as sewing, woodwork, metalwork or modelmaking, or if you are a hands-on person who prefers doing to writing. If you are interested in graphics, talk to both the Art and TAS staff to see which course would be best for you. The table below shows you how the marking of the major work and exam compares for each of these subjects: |
Subject
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Major Work
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Portfolio
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Exam
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Visual Arts
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50%
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N/A
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50%
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Textiles and Design
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25%
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25%
|
50%
|
Design and Technology
|
40%
|
20%
|
40%
|
I love cooking and am a big fan of Hell's Kitchen. Should I pick Food Technology or Hospitality?
Even though they both involve cooking, there is a big difference between Food Technology and Hospitality. In general, Food Technology is much more theoretical and leads to university studies in areas such as nutrition, while Hospitality is a practical course in food preparation that qualifies you to work in the Hospitality industry. Both courses can be included in your ATAR.
Hospitality is an actual TAFE course, the TAFE Certificate II in Hospitality, which Riverside offers as part of your HSC course. If you meet all of the outcomes during your HSC you will gain this qualification in addition to your HSC; if you only meet some of the outcomes, you'll still have credit toward the course if you choose to go to TAFE after you finish school. It includes basics such as hygiene, safety, first aid and customer service, as well as specialised skills in food and beverage preparation - the kind of practical cooking skills you see in shows like Hell's Kitchen. In addition to the practical outcomes, you will also sit an HSC exam consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions as well as two extended responses. You can look at the exam here. This is the best course to do if you want to work in or run a restaurant.
Food Technology is an academic course with a strong theoretical base and a practical component. You will learn about food from a variety of perspectives including: nutrition, food production, food preparation, food storage and marketing, as well as gaining an understanding of the Australian food industry including legal, agricultural and social issues around food production, diet and marketing. In addition, you will gain practical skills in food preparation (but with much less focus on Hell's kitchen-type skills). The HSC exam consists of multiple choice and short answer questions plus two long extended responses. Choose Food Technology if you would like a career in food science, product testing/marketing, or nutrition.
Hospitality is an actual TAFE course, the TAFE Certificate II in Hospitality, which Riverside offers as part of your HSC course. If you meet all of the outcomes during your HSC you will gain this qualification in addition to your HSC; if you only meet some of the outcomes, you'll still have credit toward the course if you choose to go to TAFE after you finish school. It includes basics such as hygiene, safety, first aid and customer service, as well as specialised skills in food and beverage preparation - the kind of practical cooking skills you see in shows like Hell's Kitchen. In addition to the practical outcomes, you will also sit an HSC exam consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions as well as two extended responses. You can look at the exam here. This is the best course to do if you want to work in or run a restaurant.
Food Technology is an academic course with a strong theoretical base and a practical component. You will learn about food from a variety of perspectives including: nutrition, food production, food preparation, food storage and marketing, as well as gaining an understanding of the Australian food industry including legal, agricultural and social issues around food production, diet and marketing. In addition, you will gain practical skills in food preparation (but with much less focus on Hell's kitchen-type skills). The HSC exam consists of multiple choice and short answer questions plus two long extended responses. Choose Food Technology if you would like a career in food science, product testing/marketing, or nutrition.
I'm good at English but I don't like Shakespeare - what's wrong with choosing Standard?
Advanced English is a more complex and demanding than English standard, and studying Shakespeare is compulsory in this course. However, Shakespeare is just one of the many texts you will be studying, so don't let that put you off the course. If you find Shakespeare hard, don't forget, so do most of the other students in the state! In general, advanced texts are chosen to give you more fun getting deeply into the thematic and creative content, so if you are good at English or enjoy discussing texts, this is the course for you.
The common content between Standard and Advanced English (Paper 1) is designed to discriminate between the courses. This means that if you are good at English, you are likely to be scaled higher in Advanced than in Standard, so it is not a good idea to settle for an "easy option". At the same time, you also need to be aware that a high mark in Standard scales better than a low mark in Advanced, so don't pick advanced English just because someone told you it scales higher - this is only the case if you do well in it. If you don't do well it will scale down, just like any other subject. Don't pick Advanced just because your coach or tutoring college suggested it. Talk to your English teacher first.
The common content between Standard and Advanced English (Paper 1) is designed to discriminate between the courses. This means that if you are good at English, you are likely to be scaled higher in Advanced than in Standard, so it is not a good idea to settle for an "easy option". At the same time, you also need to be aware that a high mark in Standard scales better than a low mark in Advanced, so don't pick advanced English just because someone told you it scales higher - this is only the case if you do well in it. If you don't do well it will scale down, just like any other subject. Don't pick Advanced just because your coach or tutoring college suggested it. Talk to your English teacher first.
I hate English - Can I just do English Studies?
If you are considering choosing English Studies, the first question to ask yourself whether or not you want an ATAR. English studies does NOT get you an ATAR! Once you choose English Studies, you can't change courses later. If you are not sure whether you want /need an ATAR, choose your subjects to get an ATAR anyway, because that will give you a lot more choices later on.
The Board of Studies describes the English Studies course this way: "English studies is designed to support students in developing proficiency in English to enhance their personal, social and vocational lives." It is a practical English course designed to help you improve your reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and representing skills in real-life contexts. The modules taught are usually designed with your specific class in mind, and and the texts you study may be more accessible than the other English courses.
This makes it ideal for students who need help with literacy or are ESL students who have been in Australia too long to access the ESL course - if they don't need an ATAR. It's also a good course to choose if you know you're going to leave school before you get your HSC because it focuses on practical communication skills that will help you in the workplace. However, if you intend to do any kind of further study after you leave school, it is probably best to Standard English, so that you can practise academic English skills at high school.
The Board of Studies describes the English Studies course this way: "English studies is designed to support students in developing proficiency in English to enhance their personal, social and vocational lives." It is a practical English course designed to help you improve your reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and representing skills in real-life contexts. The modules taught are usually designed with your specific class in mind, and and the texts you study may be more accessible than the other English courses.
This makes it ideal for students who need help with literacy or are ESL students who have been in Australia too long to access the ESL course - if they don't need an ATAR. It's also a good course to choose if you know you're going to leave school before you get your HSC because it focuses on practical communication skills that will help you in the workplace. However, if you intend to do any kind of further study after you leave school, it is probably best to Standard English, so that you can practise academic English skills at high school.
I came to Australia in primary school. Can I do the English (EAL/D) course?
English (ESL) is designed for students who are still learning English. It is not an "easy option", and will get you an ATAR. In fact, the EAL/D course includes an extra exam to test your listening skills! This course covers similar content to the Standard and Advanced courses and includes the common module, but it also focuses on improving language skills like vocabulary, grammar and specific text types like academic writing.
You can only access this course if you have been to school in an English-speaking country for less than five years before you start the preliminary course. If you came to Australia before year 6 you can NOT access this course. You will also be disqualified from accessing the course if you studied overseas but in an English-speaking school. If you are good enough at English to do Advanced English (talk to your English teacher about this), you should probably take that option, but if you qualify for the ESL course and are thinking of doing Standard English, do this course instead. In general, it tends to scale slightly above Standard, but scaling patterns change every single year, so you can't predict them..
You can only access this course if you have been to school in an English-speaking country for less than five years before you start the preliminary course. If you came to Australia before year 6 you can NOT access this course. You will also be disqualified from accessing the course if you studied overseas but in an English-speaking school. If you are good enough at English to do Advanced English (talk to your English teacher about this), you should probably take that option, but if you qualify for the ESL course and are thinking of doing Standard English, do this course instead. In general, it tends to scale slightly above Standard, but scaling patterns change every single year, so you can't predict them..
Which Maths should I do?
Awaiting info about the new courses.
Check with your maths teacher!
Check with your maths teacher!
I don't mind Maths, but I'm more of a humanities/English person and I don't really get algebra. Should I do Maths in Yr 11/12?
Firstly, there is no need to do HSC Maths unless you know it's needed for further study (check the current requirements and talk to the careers adviser). However, if you do want to choose Maths, General Maths is the perfect course for you. This course applies the Maths you've been learning so far to real life situations, and most of the questions are "problems", so if you enjoy reading you'll have an advantage when it come to interpreting your exam questions.
I'm really bad at Maths, but I need it to get into my uni course. What should I do?
Firstly, think very carefully if about the course. If you don't like or are not good at Maths, then a course that requires Maths may not be the best career path for you. A career in Science, engineering, or architecture would mean doing Maths every day for the rest of your life - and getting the Maths wrong would have very serious consequences. Even IT and Business/Commerce/Economics involve lots of mathematics. Is this really what you want to do?
Think carefully about your plans. Why did you choose this career path? Is this job really something that will make want to get out of bed early every morning? No job (even if it pays really well) is worth the stress of trying to do something you dislike/find extremely difficult every single day. Are there are related jobs that don't require Maths? Have a chat to the careers adviser about other options for your future.
If you still want to do a Maths-related degree, then you need to think about how you will achieve it. HSC Maths builds on the skills you learned in Stage 5 Maths. If you definitely want to do the degree, you'll need to put in a lot of extra effort into Stage 5 Maths. Talk to your teacher; they'll give you good advice. This might just mean concentrating more in class and/or doing all that Maths homework you've been ignoring, or it might mean going back over some basic stage 4 concepts that you weren't sure about. If you have trouble with stage 5 Maths, it's often because you missed one or two important things in yr 7 or 8; once you catch them up everything else falls into place. Most teachers are happy to help you out if you're prepared to go the extra mile to catch up. If you really love a subject (enough to make a career out of it) that you're not good at, it might take you more time and effort than some of your friends, but you can get there in the end if you put the work in. It just might take you extra work at school or even a gap year of studying maths between school and uni to become good enough at it.
Matrix Education have a flow-chart showing how high school Maths leads to various university courses (scroll down). Don't pay any attention to what it says about scaling because it changes every single year, depending on the candidates, so you can never tell what it will be like in your year.
Think carefully about your plans. Why did you choose this career path? Is this job really something that will make want to get out of bed early every morning? No job (even if it pays really well) is worth the stress of trying to do something you dislike/find extremely difficult every single day. Are there are related jobs that don't require Maths? Have a chat to the careers adviser about other options for your future.
If you still want to do a Maths-related degree, then you need to think about how you will achieve it. HSC Maths builds on the skills you learned in Stage 5 Maths. If you definitely want to do the degree, you'll need to put in a lot of extra effort into Stage 5 Maths. Talk to your teacher; they'll give you good advice. This might just mean concentrating more in class and/or doing all that Maths homework you've been ignoring, or it might mean going back over some basic stage 4 concepts that you weren't sure about. If you have trouble with stage 5 Maths, it's often because you missed one or two important things in yr 7 or 8; once you catch them up everything else falls into place. Most teachers are happy to help you out if you're prepared to go the extra mile to catch up. If you really love a subject (enough to make a career out of it) that you're not good at, it might take you more time and effort than some of your friends, but you can get there in the end if you put the work in. It just might take you extra work at school or even a gap year of studying maths between school and uni to become good enough at it.
Matrix Education have a flow-chart showing how high school Maths leads to various university courses (scroll down). Don't pay any attention to what it says about scaling because it changes every single year, depending on the candidates, so you can never tell what it will be like in your year.