Same here - but only because my school took a large number for 5.3.Thankfully, I was given the opportunity to take on advanced and extension math - regardless of my poor marks in year 8.
This - it's more of an issue in maths, where poor teaching in the younger years results in students with either lacking knowledge or a poor grasp of concepts.Again, you are generalising - some students may not have the skills prior to entering senior years.