Originally posted by maniacguy
Well, that's the thing - If you do a Higher (advanced) version of a subject, you're far more likely to get an HD than in the normal version. In fact, unless you're exceptionally good, you're not going to get an HD in the normal version (and if you're good enough to get an HD in normal, you should be doing Higher anyway)
It is definitely worth taking higher maths and higher computing in first year. I can't promote it enough. You will be doing the same material, but in a bit more depth. Unfortunately there isn't a good HSC analogy to describe that (that I can think of, anyway!)
ok, but what about there are 2 maths courses, the harder and the easier
you KNOW for the harder one you will be at the bottom, as all the actuarials do it, and you are not good enough for actuarial. but with your marks you are capable of doing this course
and you know you will be in the top half for the easier course, as you have people who didn't do maths, and who did lower levels and got lower marks than you.
although you are capable of doing the higher, doesn't it make sense to do the lower?
whereas in the hsc, you do the higher course, as you are capable of doing it, and it will be scaled better
edit: maybe that's wrong. if i knew i was going to be at the bottom of some of my higher courses i don't think i would have done them.