2026 HSC CHAT (3 Viewers)

[amatterra]

I was about to post in your thread but you deleted it. Anyway, here are my thoughts:

I was in a similar position to you when I was your age. I was eligible to take EAL/D when I was choosing my subjects for year 11, but I wanted to take English Standard to prove that I could improve my English and study the same content as well as complete the same assessment tasks/exams as native English speakers. The teacher who was helping me with subject selection recommended that I take EAL/D given my non-English speaking background, and I reluctantly agreed. I was disappointed until I found out that I could not take EAL/D due to a clash with another subject, which made me happy because I got to take English Standard instead. I ended up achieving a band 5 in the subject, which I was happy with given my circumstances at the time.

However, I sometimes wonder how I would have performed in EAL/D, had I taken it (i.e. if it did not clash with the other subject). I think that perhaps I could have achieved a better HSC mark in EAL/D than in English Standard, given the nature of the subject. Essentially, if you come from a non-English speaking background, and have the opportunity to take EAL/D, you should definitely consider it. I believe that your teachers mean well when they recommend EAL/D. Both English Standard and English Advanced are inherently more challenging than EAL/D, and (if I am not mistaken) EAL/D marking tends to be slightly more lenient to take into account the fact that students who take this subject are from a non-English speaking background.

With that being said, if you are confident that you can do well in English Standard or English Advanced (you may wish to consider your performance in year 10 English as an indication), you could perhaps take either subject. I am one of many cases of students from non-English speaking backgrounds not taking EAL/D. You should definitely discuss this further with your teachers.

I hope this helps!

Would doing reallly well in EALD scale like a low b5 or something in Standards?
the only thing is I need to get at least a 90 ATAR for the degree I want to do and I'm just scared that 1) EALD won't help me get a good ATAR given than our English marks is one of the big contributors to our ATAR and 2) won't equip me for "academic" / university English if you know what I mean

Another thing is my EALD teacher right now isn't the best, she was a second teacher for my English class this year but now she's our main teacher since my other English teacher went on maternal leave and she's not really helpful, she goes off on a tangent instead of answering my question so that's one of the factors why I don't want to do EALD. (but she's really nice and lovely)

But looking back at my past English marks I'd probably get a low b5 or high b4 in Adv so I'll just lean towards Standard

 

[amatterra]

Would doing reallly well in EALD scale like a low b5 or something in Standards?
the only thing is I need to get AT LEAST a 90 ATAR for the degree I want to do and I'm just scared that 1) EALD won't help me get a good ATAR given than our English marks is one of the big contributors to our ATAR and 2) won't equip me for "academic" / university English if you know what I mean

Another thing is my EALD teacher right now isn't the best, she was a second teacher for my English class this year but now she's our main teacher since my other English teacher went on maternal leave and she's not really helpful, she goes off on a tangent instead of answering my question so that's one of the factors why I don't want to do EALD. (but she's really nice and lovely)

But looking back at my past English marks I'd probably get a low b5 or high b4 in Adv so I'll just lean towards Standard

 

[spiderfan44]

not relatable i hate rock stuff tho i just like countries n shit

y11 - 12 geo doesnt really cover 'countries', as in information about specific countries, flags etc.

the yr11 covers it a bit more, as in it covers globalisation and some optional stuff w global conflict

y12 only really covers countries in the sense of megacities, and the challenges they face

 

[spiderfan44]

hey guys i have my subject selection today and i need some questions answered plez
-ext 1 math (certain)
-ext 1 eng
-physics (certain)
-biology
-study of religion 1 unit (certain)
-some other 2 unit course

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questions;
1. im gonna try get into ext 2 math in yr 12, and also i hate english. my mates said to give ext eng a go and drop to advanced in yr 11 if i want. but my question is, whats the major differnce between advanced eng and ext eng? like time wise, and level of difficulty

2. ok im def doing physics but im gonna pick another sceicne. i really hate chem, but at the same time im not a fan of bio... what r yalls thoughts on bio? is it worht chosnig?

3. i have to pick another 2 unit course, any suggestions? i was thinking va but its too much effort. this 2 unit couse is something im definitely dropping in yr 12. any ideas? like hows histroy?


----------
thanks guys!! also sorry for asking alot

3. id recommend against va if you struggle w time management. plus 50% of the mark is major work and the other 50% theory, so not great if u dont like art theory and you arent great at writing english essays

2. bio is a lot of work, less than chem but still quite a lot of content. imo earth is fun, but it does scale poorly and a lot of people are not interested in it as a subject.

 

[jimmysmith560]

Would doing reallly well in EALD scale like a low b5 or something in Standards?
the only thing is I need to get at least a 90 ATAR for the degree I want to do and I'm just scared that 1) EALD won't help me get a good ATAR given than our English marks is one of the big contributors to our ATAR and 2) won't equip me for "academic" / university English if you know what I mean

Another thing is my EALD teacher right now isn't the best, she was a second teacher for my English class this year but now she's our main teacher since my other English teacher went on maternal leave and she's not really helpful, she goes off on a tangent instead of answering my question so that's one of the factors why I don't want to do EALD. (but she's really nice and lovely)

But looking back at my past English marks I'd probably get a low b5 or high b4 in Adv so I'll just lean towards Standard

A band 6 in EAL/D is better than a band 5 in English Standard. In 2023, highest ATAR achieved with EAL/D was 99.95, whereas the highest ATAR achieved with English Standard was 99.60. This means that neither subject will prevent you from achieving a 90+ ATAR, nor will any subject for that matter. However, your point about being better equipped for university studies is a good one, especially since universities typically recommend studying either English Standard or English Advanced.

I think that you may be able to perform well in English Standard without getting overwhelmed. Alternatively, you can take English Advanced in year 11 and see how you go. If you find that it is too difficult, you can drop to English Standard.

 

[amatterra]

A band 6 in EAL/D is better than a band 5 in English Standard. In 2023, highest ATAR achieved with EAL/D was 99.95, whereas the highest ATAR achieved with English Standard was 99.60. This means that neither subject will prevent you from achieving a 90+ ATAR, nor will any subject for that matter. However, your point about being better equipped for university studies is a good one, especially since universities typically recommend studying either English Standard or English Advanced.

I think that you may be able to perform well in English Standard without getting overwhelmed. Alternatively, you can take English Advanced in year 11 and see how you go. If you find that it is too difficult, you can drop to English Standard.

Ooohh the dilemma is killing me thank you Jimmy! You're very helpful, I'll just have to consult with my teachers more

 

[isho-3]

guys just curious what are your subject selections for next year?

3unit eng, 3unit math, bio, chinese cont., drama & entertainment(vet)
i actually almost went humanities route but remembered how often i fall asleep during classes,,,,,, almost made the worst mistake of my life :]

 

[isho-3]

3unit eng, 3unit math, bio, chinese cont., drama & entertainment(vet)
i actually almost went humanities route but remembered how often i fall asleep during classes,,,,,, almost made the worst mistake of my life :]

but also kinda need help regarding entertainment?? teacher is suggesting i reconsider entertainment for some slightly bs reason (like yeah my personality type doesn't really suit it. but i wanna move around) and one of the reasons i chose it was bc it's more heavy on practical than theory and basically 90% of my subjects here are theory-heavy. and i know that if left too long sitting i will stop focusing on work anymore. but i dunno what i'd even replace it with bc other more practical subjects i know that let me move around & do stuff either 1. i have little to no passion for actually learning (dance, music, etc.) or 2. i already know i'll be completely shit at bc of skill/time management (visual art n stuff). plus it's one of the few subjects that can push me to learn in the moment instead of letting me idle & procrastinate.

so yeah basically really long-winded rambling to ask advice whether i should actually reconsider and if you guys have suggestions if my parents push me to change it. bc it was a genuine recommendation from my drama teacher (she said it'd pair well with drama and i'm genuinely interested) and i'm gonna ask for elaboration on entertainment in a bit but wanted advice

 

[amatterra]

but also kinda need help regarding entertainment?? teacher is suggesting i reconsider entertainment for some slightly bs reason (like yeah my personality type doesn't really suit it. but i wanna move around) and one of the reasons i chose it was bc it's more heavy on practical than theory and basically 90% of my subjects here are theory-heavy. and i know that if left too long sitting i will stop focusing on work anymore. but i dunno what i'd even replace it with bc other more practical subjects i know that let me move around & do stuff either 1. i have little to no passion for actually learning (dance, music, etc.) or 2. i already know i'll be completely shit at bc of skill/time management (visual art n stuff). plus it's one of the few subjects that can push me to learn in the moment instead of letting me idle & procrastinate.

so yeah basically really long-winded rambling to ask advice whether i should actually reconsider and if you guys have suggestions if my parents push me to change it. bc it was a genuine recommendation from my drama teacher (she said it'd pair well with drama and i'm genuinely interested) and i'm gonna ask for elaboration on entertainment in a bit but wanted advice

from what you've just said, i reckon just go for it

 

[jasmeh]

i think im the only 2026 on bos whos not doing any sci

 

[amatterra]

i think im the only 2026 on bos whos not doing any sci

what are you doing then?

 

[jasmeh]

what are you doing then?

3umath, eng adv, econ, legal, business and 2u religon(mandotory for my school)

 

[jasmeh]

3umath, eng adv, econ, legal, business and 2u religon(mandotory for my school)

you can do 1u re as well but if im doing ext math i have to do 2u

 

[WeiWeiMan]

i think im the only 2026 on bos whos not doing any sci

nah there's a few non-sci ppls
(not talking about myself i'm doing subjects)

 

[amatterra]

3umath, eng adv, econ, legal, business and 2u religon(mandotory for my school)

ohh are you interested in the finance industry or something like that? that's cooll

 

[Bendwhat?_over]

3umath, eng adv, econ, legal, business and 2u religon(mandotory for my school)

Those are good

 

[sly_lyepat]

broo being in a priv school now NO ONE studies, they all talk to each other during class especially during math, like no one cares AT ALL cos their futures are already probs settlled considering how rich they r. like bro paying to go to school makes me feel bad for my parents so i try make use of it but i js feel like im not in the same environment as my old selective school where everyone focuses

What school is this, I've been to 3 different private schools, and they all were nothing like this, granted private schools have a drop-off once the annual fees are under 10000 a year, many of my mates from schools like that say it's basically a public school with a bit of religion. Personally I would say; selective or good private > shit private > public schools

 

[Shavi Masee]

Any of you guys get As in english? I wanna read some really good short answer comprehension and essay work, to get an idea of how to structure and stuff.

 

[jane1820]

26ers! What r u guys writing on ur senior jacket? Im going to write my favourite disney characters name cus we have the same name (not giving out my real name ) and SHE IS SUCH A GIRL BOSS FR

 

[Jonathon Dwight Jones]

It’s not abt the subjects man its abt how well u do in the subjects u do in y11 and 12
Who cares abt scaling

FORNTIE