Also if anyone has completed biology, chem, physics, methods and spec this is for you.
Were units 1&2 easier or the same difficulty than 3&4, I have been told this is the case for Biology but I don't know whether to believe it. Just curious and it would give me a good idea on how to prioritize my subjects.

    lil N
    Chemistry Unit 3 is pre chill, but Unit 4 requires you to be on the ball and a lot of memorisation. Practice questions and drawing diagrams out multiple times should help

    Physics, unit 3 calculations go from linear to quadratic and it becomes slightly more complex to apply the right equations to the questions. Unit 4 really requires a lot more understanding (except topic 3, you can kinda memorise some things) than Units 1&2.

    U3&4 Methods is just building upon Unit 1&2 methods so if you get the basics, you should be right.

    I didn't do spesh or bio so I hope someone will answer that one.

    Feel free to ask more questions,
    -jinx_58

      7 days later

      Hello all, just want to do another update as I have received my PSMT's for methods and spec, and also have started getting closer to revision for my data tests, there is 1 per science which means I only have 3 block exams! the topics that the assignments are based on for methods and spec are piss easy, however the spec assignment required me to learn how to code to calculate the average number of times it would take for a brute force hacker to obtain a password (had to run code 10000 times), which took a while with the help of a friend. and on the other hand my methods assignment is similar to the one I had last year and so I should do better (I really should've done better last year for the PSMT).
      I did a physics practical today and that was quite fun, although they are usually quite easy this one took a while to set up.
      Just wanted to update this journal as it is my way of recording my progress 🙂
      Patty.

      Leeshi Languages dont get u really a 'higher' score, but some unis offer adjustment factors to ur atar if u do a language and if u do specialist. U get 2 points added respectively for each criteria, so if I did spec and german I would get +4 on my Atar (90 --> 94), but you dont really see that number, its just the number universities see when accepting you.

        11 days later

        major question!!!
        I was researching the ESP program at UQ and wondering how it works, I have a few questions and if anyone has done it before or knows the answer please help me out:
        Will it replace a subject that I normally take or will it be a 7th subject?
        Does it contribute to my atar? I want to take the calculus and linear algebra 1 subject and I assume it is difficult hence would be great for my atar (assuming it scales), not that it is the reason I'm doing it just curious.
        Afterall, it is not the end of the world if I don't take it however I really enjoy math's and the topics that it covers are really interesting, like Taylor series. Also, i've been looking at engineering/ med so for engineering it would help but not so much med. IDK I just need help because I really want to do it but unsure if it benefits me.
        Patrick.

          lil N
          Hey Patty,

          That's great you're looking into programs like ESP. I did a similar program at Griffith and I also know friends who did the UQ ESP program. As far as I know, it will not replace a subject and rather, it will be a 7th subject on top of your current ones. Speaking for myself, the workload wasn't as bad as one of your normal ATAR subjects.
          As for the ATAR, it doesn't go to your raw ATAR given by QTAC. However, it may contribute to your QCE points to get a QCE. And on top of that, if you end up going to UQ, UQ (and possibly other unis) may specifically give you bonus ranks (adjustment points) to your ATAR but that will be uni-specific.

          Hope that makes sense.

          • PP

              PhytoPlankton
              Thank you!!!
              also, follow up question.
              I am somewhat remote from campus, it says I can complete externally through elearn etc. But I am unsure how exams would work? It would be ok if I went to campus just for the exam, but there is also workshops which I don't know what they are there for and If I need to be present.
              Long question short. I am ok to do it externally right?

                  lil N
                  Happy to help!

                  I believe you can do exams online and if you're doing ESP through the school, they will take care of it but if not, you'll just have to do it by yourself. If they are online, they are also usually open-book.

                  As for workshops, it would be helpful if you could attend since you can ask questions but if you can't, they are usually either recorded or they put the workshop learning materials on the e-learn page.

                  However, I would highly recommend that you give the ESP coordinators a call and ask all your questions because my information could be outdated and not specific.

                  Nevertheless, I hope this helps!

                  • PP
                    11 days later

                    All done with block exams!!! YAY!
                    Bio, Chem and physics FA1 are all over and I am pretty confident with how I performed in all, I am also happy with my PSMT's for methods and spec which I am handing in finals next week. Just wanted to give an update,
                    For the data tests I didn't study, this year I felt like the tests were something you do not really "have to" study for. Is this going to be the same in year 12? we'll see. Also, English is so meh ahahah, just don't want to put the effort in as it is soooooo boring. Anyhoo I will post my results and reflect on how I feel about them because I feel like I will bum atleast one of my assessments (other than english which idc about).
                    Patrick.

                      11 days later

                      lil N
                      Ok I am back with all my data test results! I just handed in my PSMT's for methods and spec this week so I should get the grades back over the holidays. As goes with english, handed in today and do not care much about it.
                      I did ok in the data tests but I need to improve it a lot if I really want to get into med, my grades were:
                      Biology=18/21 which goes to a 9/10
                      Chemistry=18/20 which goes to a 9/10
                      Physics=16/20 which goes to an 8/10
                      Overall I was ok with all of the exams except for Physics, I walked out of the fia1 so confident thinking I was gonna get at least an 18/20 but oh well. The reasons I did not get full marks for chem and bio are because I didn't refer to the data enough and generalized the information without giving evidence, which cost me not getting 100%. As with the maths reports, I am confident with both, hopefully they are at least 18's/20 which is a HUGE step up from last year where I got a C on my math's report, but you never know I could get another C. Guess we'll have to wait.
                      For anyone who has an Idea, will a 9/10 for the data test suffice for a good overall grade as I am not entirely sure as to how I am going to go in the research investigation and student experiments?
                      Patty.

                        13 days later

                        Don't worry too much about the data tests, they're not too content heavy and require different skills to standard exams.

                        Focus on revising for exams otherwise they'll kill you eventually (the chem exam killed me). Most if not all of my data tests follow the same broad structure which allows me to complete them even though I don't know crap about the topics most of the time.

                          a month later

                          WelcomeToHell ive been focusing on revision more so now that im nearly finished my assignments for all sciences, I ended up getting a 20/20 for my specialist assignment (idk why i did better in it than methods but oh well). After I get my assignment results from this term I will give a big update on that and I will be enrolling in ESP at UQ for calculus and linear algebra 1. Idk just remembered about this journal and wanted to update, ive just been focussing on gym and school and neglecting school a bit but should still be able to pull through as I get most of the work done in class.

                              9 days later

                              Update: I knew all the content for methods but ran out of time on the methods exam. I'm feeling really down right now.

                              There's obviously nothing I can do about it but I learnt my lesson and I won't be an idiot next time.

                              18 days later

                              lil N Have you received your specialist exam back yet? Hopefully you did much better than you predicted 🤗

                                8 months later

                                It's been a while since anyone posted here so I'll do the honours!

                                Let me just say, what a start it has been for me. The minute I went back to school and sat down in those classrooms, it was exercise after exercise after exercise- you get what I mean. Like wow, it's a bit of a shock coming from 10 to 11. The work they put on you and the things you have to get done is harrowing. It's literally only Term 1 Week 5 and it's kinda scary to think that you don't have long until your exams are looming over you. Even worse, that the year is going to go in a flash. Now lets get specific.

                                Physics: Understanding the context... kind of, work load is minimal, stress?? LOTS OF STRESS
                                Biology: I don't know what the globe my teacher is talking about sometimes, but her analogy makes it understandable. Really gotta start revising though... ._.
                                Chemistry: Best subject so far. No complaints :>
                                Mathematical Methods: Starting PSMT, pretty chill, not too bad, workload is average, stress? meh, it's a pinch in the face
                                Mathematical Specialist: LOTS OF STRESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. WORKLOAD IS MASSIVE!!! understanding? yessir 🙂

                                Quote of today: Nothing is impossible. The word itself says "I'm possible"

                                And that's the end! Thanks for reading! I'll keep my journey updated. 'peace out'

                                a month later

                                Most of my exams have finished, what a relief. However, they smacked us right in the face with assignments to do over the holidays and are due 2 weeks later. So... that's most of my holiday gone to do assignments. Here's how everything is going:

                                Physics: Apparently no one got 20/20. Geez I wonder why. (Data Test)
                                Biology: Just did the test today. WOO HOOO cool data test tbh
                                Chemistry: Also no one got 20/20 but again, surely like physics, someone must've.... right??
                                Mathematical Methods: Finished the PSMT, haven't gotten marks back yet.
                                Mathematical Specialist: I HATE MY PSMT OMG AHHHHHHHH. take me to the glue factory.
                                English: Worst subject for me. WORST. But who cares, I'm smashing it out the way.

                                Quote of today: Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.

                                • Leeshi :>

                                I havent replied on here for a while.
                                I never ended up doing ESP at uq because there were just other things i wanted to focus on (guitar, gym, working) and thus far doing suicide 6 isn't too bad ( I can already imagine external exam time being f##ked), I ended up getting 14/25 on my english for IA1 lol, thankfully it wont be in my top 5. just a cheeky lil update

                                a month later

                                Hi all
                                I am a 2021 grad (ATAR 99.85 and suicide six minus bio)
                                Note: Mod edited post to remove spam advertising. Please advertise using one post in future.
                                Isaac

                                what are you currently studying issac?

                                Here's a quick update of my journey of the suicide six!

                                I have finally gotten 5 of my marks back and I'm so torn. I mean it's better than failing but I just don't accept these marks atm.

                                Chemistry: 17/20
                                Biology: 19/20
                                Physics: 16.5/20 (sad)
                                English: 25/25!!! WOOOOO MY WEAKEST SUBJECT IS SHININGGGGG
                                Methods: 19/20 just because I didn't add a sentence in T_T
                                Specialist: Dunno. I'm a bit scared tbh. >_>

                                I'm going to try an improve this term : )

                                -Leeshi