Note:

2 unit Maths (N.S.W.) is the level of maths that is either a prerequisite subject for admission into certain University courses or is the level that is recommended that you have studied before commencing certain University courses.

2 unit Maths in Society does not satisfy as a prerequisite nor is recommended for satisfying entry requirements into University level course that involve the study of mathematics.

YOU SHOULD CONSIDER

1. Your progress in 2 unit maths at the moment.
2. The recommendation of your maths staff.
3. Your progress in all your subjects.
4. Your future study directions.
5. Your current preference of career choice.
6. Your strength of focus and motivation.

1.Your progress in 2 unit maths at the moment.

You are the only person who can assess the amount of effort you have put into maths so far. Have you achieved your results without much study? Or have you put in a maximum effort for a poor result? Could it be that you do not know how to study maths but actually have the ability to do well? Did you do the top (advanced) level of maths in year 10? - if so, what rank/position were you in your class and what rank are you now compared to the same students?

Eg. Ranked 3^rd last out of a class of 40 students, did not do Advanced in year 10, have studied and tried hard but am doing better in most other subjects --- then you are a likely candidate to drop down a level after considering the other issues involved.

2. The recommendations of your maths staff

This is how you can judge the critical factors of POTENTIAL and ABILITY.

Your maths staff are the experts in passing maths in the final year exams. They have done it themselves (easily or by hard work) and they have managed to successfully teach other students how to achieve in this subject. They may well have taught you for a number of years and are able to assess if you are "on track" to "passing" at a high enough level (to use 2 unit maths as a prerequisite). They also have an overview of all the students work quality, effort they are putting in for the results they are getting, the potential of each student and the ability each student has, and can tell you honestly where you stand compared to your cohorts.

By the way, how often have you sought out help from your maths teacher outside of class time? Have you been trying to do some maths at home -- could not get the correct answer -- and resigned yourself to the fact that you can't do that part ???? You should have taken that question to your teacher to seek help. Failure leads to a negative attitude towards learning !!

3. Your progress in all of your other subjects

 

Here we need to consider your full range of subjects and your performance in them (compared to your maths results). Is maths your worst result? Did you put equal effort into the study of each subject? -- if not, why? Which subjects do you enjoy the most?

 

Are the marks you obtain in maths going to be included in your tertiary entrance rank/score ? (check with your careers adviser) Are you doing better in the humanities based-subjects than any science based-subjects ? This is critical in your decision making --- maybe you are developing strengths in the non-maths based areas, and your tertiary course choices may need to reflect this change of emphasis and ability. You may need to start looking at courses that are not maths/science based.

 

4. Your future study direction.

The basic questions are:

Do you want to obtain a degree from a university /

Do you need to get a degree ?

Are you being realistic about your academic ability and probable results?