Choosing VCE Subjects Wisely: A Strategic Guide

Choosing your VCE subjects is one of the most important decisions you'll make during your secondary education. Your choices affect not only your daily school experience for two years but also your ATAR and your eligibility for university courses. This guide will help you navigate this crucial decision with confidence.

Start With Your Interests and Strengths

The most successful VCE students are usually those who genuinely enjoy and are good at their chosen subjects. When you're interested in a topic, you're more likely to engage deeply with the material, put in extra effort, and ultimately perform better.

Begin by honestly assessing your strengths and weaknesses. Which subjects have you consistently performed well in? Which topics do you find yourself naturally curious about? Don't just consider academic performance—think about which classes you look forward to and which assignments you enjoy working on.

Be honest with yourself about subjects you struggle with. If you've always found mathematics challenging, forcing yourself into Specialist Maths because of scaling is unlikely to lead to a good outcome. Playing to your strengths will almost always yield better results than fighting against your weaknesses.

Research University Prerequisites

Before finalizing your subject choices, research the prerequisites for courses you're interested in. Prerequisites are subjects you must complete (and often achieve a minimum study score in) to be eligible for a university course.

Many science and engineering courses require Mathematical Methods and sometimes Chemistry or Physics. Medicine typically requires Chemistry and often Maths Methods. Commerce and business courses often prefer but don't require Maths Methods. Arts and humanities courses usually have no specific prerequisites beyond English.

Visit the websites of universities you're interested in and look up their course prerequisites. The VTAC website also provides comprehensive prerequisite information. If you're unsure about your career direction, consider keeping your options open by including subjects that are common prerequisites.

Consider the Workload and Assessment Types

Different VCE subjects have very different workloads and assessment styles. Some subjects are heavily exam-based, while others include significant coursework components like folios, performances, or extended investigations.

Think about how you perform under different types of assessment pressure. Do you thrive in exam conditions, or do you prefer having time to develop work over an extended period? Are you good at managing long-term projects, or do you struggle with self-directed work?

Also consider the overall balance of your subject load. Taking multiple subjects with heavy coursework requirements at the same time can lead to overwhelming periods during the year. Similarly, too many exam-heavy subjects might create an extremely stressful exam period. Aim for a balanced mix that suits your working style.

The Scaling Question

Subject scaling is often overemphasized in subject selection discussions. Yes, some subjects do scale higher than others, but this shouldn't be your primary consideration.

The fundamental principle is this: you will almost certainly score higher in a subject you enjoy and are good at than in a "high scaling" subject you struggle with. A study score of 38 in a subject that scales down slightly will contribute more to your ATAR than a score of 28 in a subject that scales up significantly.

That said, if you're genuinely strong in multiple areas and need to choose between subjects, scaling can be a tiebreaker. If you're equally interested in and capable at both Chemistry and Biology, knowing that Chemistry historically scales higher might inform your decision.

Talk to Teachers and Students

Your current teachers can provide valuable insights into whether you're suited for particular VCE subjects. They've seen many students progress through the system and can offer realistic assessments of the jump from Year 10 to VCE in their subject areas.

Also talk to students who are currently taking or have recently completed the subjects you're considering. They can give you honest insights into the workload, the teaching quality at your school, and the reality of studying that subject at VCE level. What looks interesting in a course guide might be quite different in practice.

Keep Your Options Open (Within Reason)

If you're uncertain about your future career direction, there's wisdom in keeping your options open. Including Mathematical Methods, for example, keeps doors open to many science, engineering, and commerce courses even if you're not certain you want to pursue those fields.

However, don't sacrifice your performance for the sake of option-keeping. There's no point including a prerequisite subject if you're going to perform so poorly that it drags down your overall ATAR. Balance keeping options open with being realistic about your abilities.

Plan for Both Years

Remember that VCE spans two years, and your Year 11 subject choices affect your Year 12 options. Some Year 12 subjects require completion of the corresponding Year 11 subject as a prerequisite. For example, you generally can't take Specialist Mathematics Units 3&4 without having completed Units 1&2.

Consider your entire two-year plan when making choices. Which subjects will you complete in Year 11 only? Which will you continue into Year 12? Are there any subjects you want to accelerate? Map out your pathway to ensure it's coherent and achievable.

Don't Overlook VET and VCE VET Options

Vocational Education and Training (VET) subjects offer practical, career-focused learning that can contribute to your VCE and ATAR. If you have a clear career direction that aligns with available VET courses, these can be valuable additions to your program.

VET subjects also offer industry certifications and practical skills alongside your academic studies. For students who learn better through hands-on approaches, VET can be an excellent choice that complements more traditional academic subjects.

It's Okay to Change

Finally, remember that subject changes are possible, especially early in Year 11. If you start a subject and realize it's not right for you, talk to your VCE coordinator about switching. It's better to change early than to struggle through two years of a subject that doesn't suit you.

Use tools like our Study Score Calculatorto explore how different subject combinations and scores might affect your ATAR. This can help you make informed decisions and set realistic goals for your VCE journey.

Final Thoughts

Choosing VCE subjects is a significant decision, but it's not irreversible, and it's not the only factor determining your future. Choose subjects that align with your interests, play to your strengths, meet your prerequisites, and create a manageable workload. With thoughtful planning and hard work, you can succeed in any combination of subjects you choose.