This document provides advice on selecting HSC subjects and understanding the ATAR. It discusses four key considerations: workload, choosing subjects you enjoy and excel in, university prerequisite requirements, and how subject scaling affects ATAR calculations. The document recommends aiming for 11-12 subjects, with at most 2 major works, and choosing the highest-level maths and English subjects that you can handle. Students should select subjects they love and are interested in to stay motivated while also considering assumed knowledge for their intended university programs. English Advanced is generally better than Standard due to scaling. With an understanding of these factors, students can make informed choices about their HSC subjects.

1. How to select your Subjects and
understand the ATAR
Jesse Whelan
Director of Learning @ Sandbox Learning Australia
jesse@sandboxlearning.com.au
www.sandboxlearning.com.au

2. About me: Jesse Whelan
School University Work
Woollahra
Public
School

3. Turning a decade of experience into a new way of
learning
• Over a decade of
tutoring experience
• Taught hundreds of
students across school
and university level
• Undergrad thesis in the
science of learning
Sandbox Learning
Confidence. Learning. Success

4. On average students’ performance has increased by
25 grade points in school
For as long as I can remember, he has failed
English. All we wanted for this exam was a
pass but to achieve 80% it is so quantifiable
and attributed to you.
Yesterday [M] had a maths test at school on
mixed topics, multiple choice. He got
36/37!!!!! Very happy boy!!
50%
75%
Before Sandbox End of year

5. Need some more support? Sandbox is here to help
www.sandboxlearning.com.au
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6. But enough
about me, why
are you here?

7. Summary of today’s talk
Consider
1. How many units: workload and backup subjects
2. Which subjects you love and will work hard for
3. Which uni/tafe courses you want to do and any
prerequisites
4. Scaling – last question rather than the first

8. If you want the slides
leave your email
details.
info@sandboxlearning.com.au
www.sandboxlearning.com.au
0409 989 008

9. 3 key questions and 4 considerations
1. How many units?
2. Which subject areas?
3. What level of
subjects?
Questions Considerations
A. Workload
B. What do you love?
C. Uni/TAFE
requirements
D. Scaling
1 takeaway – do English Advanced over Standard
unless a very good reason

10. Considerations

11. A) HSC and workload
• ATARs are calculated on your best (scaled) 10 units including
– At least 2 units of English
– the best 8 other (scaled) units
• We suggest aiming for 11 or 12 units
– You can drop units but can’t pick more up later
– Starting with only 10 units increases pressure to perform on all of
them
– Due to workload more than 13 is not advisable (unless accelerated)
• Stick with AT MOST 2 Major Works (e.g. drama, art, music, DT)

12. A) There is no such thing as an ‘easy’ subject
240 Hours across Year 11 and 12
This doesn’t include study/assignments ~2-3hrs/week

13. B) Pick what you love and are good at
Interest
Hard
work Ability Results
If you love it, do it – forget about the scaling

14. C) Think about uni/TAFE requirements
• Many university courses have requirements
– Prerequisites are mandatory subjects you must have done
– Assumed knowledge are subjects whose content/skills are assumed
and won’t be covered
– Recommended studies are subjects that will make the first year of uni
much easier
• Bridging courses are possible but are really tough
– They condense years of work into a few weeks
– Hard to take it in and remember

15. C) Example courses and requirements
Program Prerequisites Assumed knowledge
Engineering - Maths 3U, Physics
Commerce Maths 2U Band 4
(USYD)
English Adv, Maths 2U
Science Maths 2U Band 4
(USYD)
Maths 3U, Chem/Phyiscs/Bio
Law - English Adv
Balance choice between easier uni versus a harder
time during HSC

16. D) Is an 80 in each subject worth the same?
English Standard
English Advanced
French Continuers
IPT
Maths Standard
Maths Advanced

17. D) Scaling is used to compare apples with apples
• ATAR is a rank not a score
• ATARs and calculations is a
whole detailed discussion
– We do a 1 hr talk just on that!
• For more info check out our blog
https://www.sandboxlearning.com.au/new-
blog
• Objective for today is to
understand the basics

18. D) English

19. D) Avoid doing English Standard
The top 9% in Standard
= 50% in Advanced

20. D) Maths

21. D) Recommend 2U but less clear-cut
The top 20% in
Standard = 50% in
Advanced

22. D) Science: Pick what you love

23. Putting it together

24. 3 key questions
1. How many units? • 11 or 12 for Year 12
2. Which subject areas? • Think about what you love
• Try to do the assumed
knowledge for uni courses you
want
3. What subject levels? • English: At least Advanced
• Maths: Highest level you
need/like
• Other: Do what you like

25. Need some more support? Sandbox is here to help
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26. Trusted by parents across Sydney

27. On average students’ performance has increased by
25 grade points in school
For as long as I can remember, he has failed
English. All we wanted for this exam was a
pass but to achieve 80% it is so quantifiable
and attributed to you.
Yesterday [M] had a maths test at school on
mixed topics, multiple choice. He got
36/37!!!!! Very happy boy!!
50%
75%
Before Sandbox End of year

28. www.sandboxlearning.com.au
Subjects Services
Maths,
Science,
English,
And more…
1-on-1
• $80/hr Yrs 4-10
• $100/hr HSC
Group classes
• $100/hr for the group
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