BRIDGING THE GAP

Understanding what it takes to succeed in the New HSC

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Agenda

• General Strategy: Getting Ahead in Year 11

• Scaling & Choosing your Subjects

- How to Approach Maths & Science

- English - it counts to your ATAR

- Economics - a hidden gem

3

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SUBJECTS FOR YOU

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“The HSC is not a test of pure intelligence. It is a test of competitiveness, i.e. your ability to combine your natural talent with preparedness, hard work and ability to perform under pressure. It’s a test of gamesmanship as much as anything else. Like any game, you can succeed much more if you know the rules.”

Richard Chua, 99.95 Talent 100 Founder

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Choose the right subject for you

• Know your odds - Understand the scaling of each subject - Estimate what you think you can potentially achieve in each subject- Come to our next seminar for full explanation

• Math & Science (STEM) subjects scale the best (this is not accidental): - Take the Highest level of Maths you are capable of- Ext 1 Maths students should easily be able to do Physics, Chemistry, Economics

(all courses are precalculus)

• Choose the right subjects for you - No right/wrong subjects - BUT you must ask: is it easier to perform exceptionally well in low scaling subject

or decently in higher scaling subject?

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How your ATAR is calculated

Alignment Process of converting raw HSC exam result into external mark Why: Aligning or standardising marks year on year in that subject

Moderation Process of converting internal rankings into internal HSC markWhy: school assessments and marking standards are different

ScalingProcess of comparing and standardising HSC marks by subject based on difficultyWhy: some subjects are considered ‘harder’ than others

Board of Studies

UAC

Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR)

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Scaling - how the algorithm works

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Scaling of HSC Subjects

Maths Ext 2 (Phenomenal)

Maths Ext 1 (Amazing)

Tier 1(Strong)

Tier 2(“Okay” )

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Scaling of HSC Subjects

Maths Ext 2 (Phenomenal)

Maths Ext 1 (Amazing)

Tier 1(Strong)

Tier 2(“Okay” )

ATAR 99

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Benchmarks for ATARs of 95/ 97/ 99

ATAR Math Ext 2 Math Ext 1Tier 1

(Physics, Chem, Eco, Adv Eng.)

Tier 2 (Bio*, Legal, Modern

History etc.

99 Top ~50% Top ~25% Top ~5% Top 2%

97 Top ~80% Top ~45% Top ~10% Top 5%

95 Top ~90% Top ~60% Top 15-20% Top 8-10%

Scaling Phenomenal Amazing Great “Okay”

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How do you strategically select 10-12 units?

English

Math

Science

Humanities

# Units Key Decision in Year 11

At least 2

Up to 4

Up to 7

Typically, 2-4 units

Advanced or Standard?

Adv or Ext 1?, i.e. 2U or 3U

Phys, Chem, Bio?

Economics?... or something else

Typical Top Student

Choose Wisely. Subject selection is the single most important decision affecting your ATAR

Advanced

Ext 1 in Yr 11(Ext 2 in Yr 12)

Typically, Phys+Chem ORChem+Bio

Economics or next favourite subject

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Use our ATAR Calculator - talent-100.com.au

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Our Approach to the Course - 3 Repetitions

Rep 1: Weekly Classes / Acceleration Courses

Small Groups (<15) to teach theoryLearn,

Consolidate, Practice

Rep 2: Homework, Tutorials, Online Resources

Marked, Small group tutorials (<4), my-mentor.com.au

Rep 3: Mock Exams & Holiday Revision Courses

Practice makes perfect