Physics or Biology for prelim and hsc? (1 Viewer)

[absiql]

So Im currently in year 10 choosing my subjects for year 11 and 12. As the title suggests, im a bit conflicted with choosing between either bio or physics. Ive already decided on math advanced, math extension 1, english advanced, economics, business studies and chemistry. Most of these are already pretty hardcore so im worried that physics would take too much time out of my other subjects so I don't know whether I should 'play it safe' with bio (im aware that it isn't easy but apparently its less harder than physics). In yr 10 physics we only explored like really basic concepts/formulas and I have no idea if im gonna like it in year 11 and 12. Bio is something I find interesting but apparently its very content heavy (and boring in yr 11) and scales pretty low. Now im also taking into account scaling since im aiming for a 97+ atar to get into med.

Im currently attending a school that comes into the top 20 range in NSW and all the teachers seem to be pretty good in both of these courses. The band summaries from 2021 show that 74 people did biology with %35.14 getting a band 6 while 22 people did physics with %59.09 getting a band 6.

I consider myself more of a math person (I hate English with a passion) but I also don't mind memorising a ton of content. Considering all the other subjects im thinking of, what do you guys think?

 

[Bob99]

So Im currently in year 10 choosing my subjects for year 11 and 12. As the title suggests, im a bit conflicted with choosing between either bio or physics. Ive already decided on math standard, math extension 1, english advanced, economics, business studies and chemistry. Most of these are already pretty hardcore so im worried that physics would take too much time out of my other subjects so I don't know whether I should 'play it safe' with bio (im aware that it isn't easy but apparently its less harder than physics). In yr 10 physics we only explored like really basic concepts/formulas and I have no idea if im gonna like it in year 11 and 12. Bio is something I find interesting but apparently its very content heavy (and boring in yr 11) and scales pretty low. Now im also taking into account scaling since im aiming for a 97+ atar to get into med.

Im currently attending a school that comes into the top 20 range in NSW and all the teachers seem to be pretty good in both of there courses. The band summaries from 2021 show that 74 people did biology with %35.14 getting a band 6 while 22 people did physics with %59.09 getting a band 6.

I consider myself more of a math person (I hate English with a passion) but I also don't mind memorising a ton of content. Considering all the other subjects im thinking of, what do you guys think?

If you're doing Maths Standard then you will struggle with physics later on. Biology is the better option for you in my opinion.

 

[absiql]

If you're doing Maths Standard then you will struggle with physics later on. Biology is the better option for you in my opinion.

Ah sorry I meant *advanced

 

[Virtue1081]

Physics is the better option. Honestly, I am doing Physics in Year 11 and I do not find it that stressful. It is essentially mathematics with questions of real-world application and using formulas derived from such an application. It is more like chemistry but with much less content and practical.

Also with the subject of doing biology for medicine, that is not needed for most universities. The only example I can think of at the moment is Monash University but I believe that they have a bridging course to help you in if you have not done biology. You do need to research on that.

Overall, Physics is the better option. It is easier in terms of studying and content, especially since it is tailored to your needs, and has better potential to a higher ATAR, which provides better opportunity with biology for medicine even though some may find it a prerequisite.

 

[Bob99]

Ah sorry I meant *advanced

In that case, you should be fine with physics. It mostly just involves trigonometry and subbing values in formulas. Unless, you want to do a subject that requires more memorising than applying, then you should choose bio.

 

[pikachu975]

So Im currently in year 10 choosing my subjects for year 11 and 12. As the title suggests, im a bit conflicted with choosing between either bio or physics. Ive already decided on math advanced, math extension 1, english advanced, economics, business studies and chemistry. Most of these are already pretty hardcore so im worried that physics would take too much time out of my other subjects so I don't know whether I should 'play it safe' with bio (im aware that it isn't easy but apparently its less harder than physics). In yr 10 physics we only explored like really basic concepts/formulas and I have no idea if im gonna like it in year 11 and 12. Bio is something I find interesting but apparently its very content heavy (and boring in yr 11) and scales pretty low. Now im also taking into account scaling since im aiming for a 97+ atar to get into med.

Im currently attending a school that comes into the top 20 range in NSW and all the teachers seem to be pretty good in both of these courses. The band summaries from 2021 show that 74 people did biology with %35.14 getting a band 6 while 22 people did physics with %59.09 getting a band 6.

I consider myself more of a math person (I hate English with a passion) but I also don't mind memorising a ton of content. Considering all the other subjects im thinking of, what do you guys think?

I did both biology and physics and imo physics had way more memorising whereas biology was more understanding. E.g. a response for kangaroos in cold weather is their fur (easy to memorise because it makes sense).

Also agreed yr 11 biology was very boring but yr 12 was good.

The syllabus did change since I did it so idk the impact of that.

 

[Bob99]

I did both biology and physics and imo physics had way more memorising whereas biology was more understanding. E.g. a response for kangaroos in cold weather is their fur (easy to memorise because it makes sense).

Also agreed yr 11 biology was very boring but yr 12 was good.

The syllabus did change since I did it so idk the impact of that.

Yeah as I am doing the new syllabus, Biology is now more memorising and physics is more application based.

 

[Nacseo]

So Im currently in year 10 choosing my subjects for year 11 and 12. As the title suggests, im a bit conflicted with choosing between either bio or physics. Ive already decided on math advanced, math extension 1, english advanced, economics, business studies and chemistry. Most of these are already pretty hardcore so im worried that physics would take too much time out of my other subjects so I don't know whether I should 'play it safe' with bio (im aware that it isn't easy but apparently its less harder than physics). In yr 10 physics we only explored like really basic concepts/formulas and I have no idea if im gonna like it in year 11 and 12. Bio is something I find interesting but apparently its very content heavy (and boring in yr 11) and scales pretty low. Now im also taking into account scaling since im aiming for a 97+ atar to get into med.

Im currently attending a school that comes into the top 20 range in NSW and all the teachers seem to be pretty good in both of these courses. The band summaries from 2021 show that 74 people did biology with %35.14 getting a band 6 while 22 people did physics with %59.09 getting a band 6.

I consider myself more of a math person (I hate English with a passion) but I also don't mind memorising a ton of content. Considering all the other subjects im thinking of, what do you guys think?

I do bio as well, and yeah, it's purely based on your understanding of the content. The only problem-based or mathematical stuff you will encounter in bio for prelims is just scaling and understanding graphs. Plus, if you rlly like bio, just go for it. If you know you can score a high mark or rank then scaling does not really matter. Just saying that according to UAC scaling reflects on the competition in the course, not its difficulty.

 

[d1zzyohs]

The new physics syllabus is far harder; and has so much content. Year 11 physics is great, easy - Dynamics catches a lot of people off guard. Maths Standard will be a toughie for physics - but the Maths really isn't too hard. Algebraic manipulation and mathematical maturity MUST be good.
Biology is such a bore. I did it for a term and dropped