How to Choose Your VCE Subjects: A Comprehensive Guide to Subject Selection
Selecting your VCE subjects is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your senior years of high school. The subjects you choose can influence your academic performance, your ATAR, and your future university or career options. This guide will walk you through the entire subject selection process, helping you make informed choices that align with your goals and interests.
1. Understanding the VCE Subject Structure
Before diving into how to choose your subjects, it’s essential to understand how the VCE subject structure works.
Units 1/2 vs. Units 3/4
Units 1/2: Typically studied in Year 11, these units provide foundational knowledge and skills that prepare you for the more challenging Units 3/4.
Units 3/4: These units are usually taken in Year 12 and are assessed through a combination of school-based assessments and final exams. The results from these units contribute directly to your ATAR.
You’ll need to complete at least four sequences of Units 3/4 (which include at least one English subject) to obtain your VCE. Many students choose to take five or six Unit 3/4 subjects to maximize their ATAR potential. This is as the fifth and sixth subjects add an extra 10% (5 incremental points) on top of the four subjects.
For more information on this, please read [blog post on how VCE scoring works]
2. Consider Your Interests and Strengths
The first step in choosing your VCE subjects is to consider what you enjoy and where your strengths lie.
Passion and Interest
Engagement: Choosing subjects that genuinely interest you will make studying more enjoyable and engaging. You’re likely to perform better in subjects that you find interesting.
Motivation: If you’re passionate about a subject, you’re more likely to put in the effort required to excel. This motivation can be a crucial factor in your success.
Strengths and Skills
Academic Strengths: Reflect on your performance in Year 10 or earlier. What subjects did you excel in? Which areas did you find challenging? Choosing subjects that align with your strengths can increase your chances of achieving higher study scores.
Skill Development: Consider the skills each subject requires. For example, mathematics subjects require strong problem-solving abilities, while English demands excellent writing and analytical skills. Choose subjects that match your skill set.
3. Align Subjects with Future Goals and Prerequisites
Your VCE subject selection should also be guided by your future aspirations, whether they involve university, vocational education, or entering the workforce. Understanding university prerequisites is a crucial part of this process.
University Prerequisites
Research: If you’re planning to attend university, research the prerequisites for the courses you’re interested in. Many university programs require specific VCE subjects. For example, engineering courses often require high-level mathematics and physics, while medical courses usually require chemistry and biology.
Prerequisites Matter: Failing to meet these prerequisites can limit your university options or even disqualify you from certain courses. Ensure that your subject choices align with these requirements to keep your future study and career options open.
Career Aspirations
Vocational Pathways: If you’re considering a vocational pathway, select subjects that provide relevant skills and knowledge. VET (Vocational Education and Training) subjects can be an excellent option for gaining practical experience.
Long-Term Goals: Even if you’re not sure what career you want to pursue, think about the areas that interest you and choose subjects that keep your options open.
4. Balance Subject Difficulty with Scaling and Manageability
While it might be tempting to choose all high-scaling or challenging subjects, it’s essential to find a balance that suits your capabilities and workload.
Understanding Scaling
Scaling Explained: In VCE, subjects are scaled up or down based on the difficulty of the cohort. High-scaling subjects, like Specialist Mathematics or certain languages, can boost your ATAR, but only if you perform well. For example, a raw score of 40 in a subject like Specialist Mathematics might be scaled up to a higher score due to the difficulty and performance of the cohort, while a subject like Further Mathematics might be scaled down.
Strategic Choices: While scaling can affect your ATAR, it’s important to focus on subjects where you can perform well. Excelling in a lower-scaling subject can still yield a better result than struggling in a higher-scaling one. However, if you have the capability and interest, choosing a subject that scales up could provide a significant advantage.
Workload Management
Assess Your Time: Consider the workload each subject requires. Some subjects, such as Visual Arts or Technology subjects, can be time-intensive due to the nature of their projects or folios.
Balance Your Load: Aim for a mix of subjects that balance your workload. Include subjects that you find easier or more enjoyable alongside more challenging ones to ensure you can manage your time effectively.
5. Seek Advice and Use Resources
Don’t make your subject selection decisions in isolation. There are numerous resources and people who can offer valuable insights.
School Resources
Subject Information Sessions: Attend any subject information sessions offered by your school. These can provide detailed insights into what each subject entails.
Career Counsellors: Consult with your school’s career counsellor or VCE coordinator. They can offer advice based on your academic record, career goals, and the latest university prerequisites.
Teacher Recommendations
Teacher Insights: Speak with your current teachers about your subject choices. They can provide valuable feedback on your strengths and how well they think you’ll perform in specific VCE subjects.
Peer and Family Support
Family Discussions: Discuss your options with family members. They can provide support and a different perspective that you might not have considered.
Peer Experiences: Talk to older students who have already completed their VCE. They can share their experiences with different subjects, the workload, and the challenges they faced.
6. Be Flexible and Open to Change
It’s important to be flexible with your subject choices. Sometimes, a subject may not turn out to be what you expected, and it’s okay to make adjustments.
Early Changes
Trial Period: Many schools allow a short trial period at the start of the year where you can switch subjects if you realize a subject isn’t the right fit for you.
Reflect and Adjust: If you find yourself struggling with a subject or not enjoying it as much as you thought, don’t hesitate to consider other options. It’s better to make a change early on than to persist with a subject that might affect your overall performance.
Long-Term Planning
Future Adjustments: Keep in mind that your interests and goals might evolve over time. Be open to revisiting your subject choices as you gain more clarity about your future plans.
7. Making the Final Decision
Once you’ve considered your interests, strengths, future goals, prerequisites, workload, and advice from others, it’s time to make your final subject selections.
Prioritize Your Goals
Rank Your Priorities: Rank your subjects based on your goals and interests. Make sure your top choices align with your future aspirations and play to your strengths.
Backup Options: Have a couple of backup options in mind in case you need to adjust your selections after the initial trial period.
Trust Your Instincts
Confidence in Choice: Trust in the decisions you’ve made. You’ve done the research, sought advice, and considered your options carefully. Feel confident moving forward with your subject choices.
Final Thoughts
Choosing your VCE subjects is a significant decision, but it’s also an opportunity to explore your interests and set the foundation for your future. By considering your strengths, aligning with your goals and prerequisites, balancing your workload and scaling potential, and seeking advice, you can make informed choices that will lead to a successful and fulfilling VCE journey.
Remember, VCE is just one part of your life’s journey. While it’s important, it’s also a time to discover your passions, develop new skills, and grow as an individual. Take this opportunity to learn more about yourself and prepare for the exciting future that lies ahead.
Good luck with your VCE subject selections!
