umop 3pisdn said:
FFS
the scaling of standard and advanced english always have been, and always will be, fixed together. they're always the same.
furthermore, getting a band 6 in standard english is easier than getting a band 6 in advanced english because the course is easier
it is simply because anyone who has any talent in english always does advanced, that the marks in standard are always very poor
therefore standard english does not kill your uai at all, it's just that people doing standard english are usually very dumb and don't get good uais.
if you're very good at english you could get 99 in standard... it's just that you're almost certain to be doing advanced because you're so good at english
make sense?
right on the money
funny you should know this if ur hsc is in 2010 :S
i say do advanced unless youre bad, it will probably work out better.
one of the best things u should do is talk to teachers who have read your essays and have marked hsc, chances are they can give the best advice. people over forums dont have an accurate assesment of your ability. imho, advanced isnt actually that hard, not sure how much harder it is standard but i cant imagine it being much really. if you practise, get feedback from teachers, write at length, quotes, details, techniques, nice expression, you should do well.
dont be afraid of going to advanced