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Choosing Subjects in Years 11 & 12
Helpful advice when choosing subjects
- Read the information on each subject in the booklet given to Year 10 students carefully and shortlist the ones that seem interesting to you.
- Take into account your interests and career needs (some are included in the list below). Will you be interested enough to put the time and effort needed into each subject you choose?
- If you know the area you wish to study at university, you should check the latest University Entry Requirements Year 10 Booklet. The booklet lists each NSW & ACT university's requirements ie which subjects must be studied in the HSC, which subjects are assumed knowledge and which subjects universities recommend you study. Students can purchase the most recent copy of this booklet. Please see me if you want to buy it early in Term 2. However, it can be borrowed from the Careers Room if you wish to look at it.
- Examine the set textbooks in the subjects you are considering.
- Look at the HSC examination papers in each subject: do they look interesting, could you do them, do they involve essays/calculations/short answers/multiple choice? Ask the KLA CO-ordinator for examples or go to the Board of Studies website where past HSC exams are posted.
- Consider the time involved in major works that are either creative or performance-based. Most of these will be due and examined in Term 3 of your HSC year.
- Speak to the Careers Adviser for specific advice.
The key to successful choice of subjects is to consider:
Ability + Interest + Motivation + Career Needs
Guidelines when selecting subjects
These subjects have been offered here at McCarthy in previous years and may be offered again next year. Here are some things to consider, from a careers perspective, when choosing to do a subject in Years 11 and/or 12.
Some of these guidelines may apply to you but not necessarily all of them.
Agriculture
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You enjoyed this subject as an elective in Years 9-10 |
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You have experience on a rural property |
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You want to get a job working on a property |
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You want to continue your studies at TAFE, an Agricultural College or at university (eg Rural Science or Agriculture or Agribusiness etc) |
Ancient History
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You enjoy History, did quite well in the School Certificate and are fascinated by events of long ago. |
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You want to pursue study at university in the humanities (arts, communications, economics etc) |
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You enjoy research and writing essays and would enjoy working on a major historical investigation |
Biology
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You enjoy Science and did quite well in the School Certificate |
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You want to study a health-related course at university eg Nursing, Exercise Science, Medical Science. It may be useful but not essential. |
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You want to study a science course at university |
Business Studies
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You enjoyed Commerce as an elective |
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You are looking at further study or a career in the business area and this subject will be useful but not essential preparation |
Chemistry
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You enjoy Science and did very well in the School Certificate (ie achieved a Band 5 or 6) |
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You want to study a medical-related course at university ie it is either asssumed or recommended that you do this by the university |
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You want to study a science course at university ie it is either asssumed or recommended that you do this by the university |
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You want to study engineering at university ie it is either asssumed or recommended that you do this by the university |
Community and Family Studies (CFS)
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You are interested in people and how they live |
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You are looking at further study or a career working with people of different ages (eg young children through to the aged) and this subject will be useful but not essential preparation eg welfare/social work/childcare |
Construction (Category B subject)
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You enjoy practical work |
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You are looking at a career or further study at TAFE in a construction-related area eg apprenticeship |
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You will have to complete compulsory work placements (1 week in Preliminary Year and 1 year in the HSC Year) |
Design and Technology
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You enjoyed this subject as an elective |
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You are a creative and practical person who enjoys working on a major project |
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You are looking at further study in this area at TAFE, a private college or university |
Drama
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You enjoyed this subject as an elective |
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You are a creative person who enjoys working on a major performance- based project |
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You are looking at a career or further study in this area at a private college or university (eg acting, theatre studies, drama teacher) |
Economics
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You enjoyed Commerce as an elective and did very well at School Certificate level |
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You are looking at further study or a career in the business/accounting/finance/economics area and this subject will be useful but not essential preparation |
English
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You have no choice: it is compulsory for you to study at least 2 units of English for the HSC |
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If you enjoy English and did very well in the School Certificate (ie achieved a Band 5 or 6), you may choose to study English Advanced, English Extension I or English Extension II. |
Food Technology
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You are interested in the science of food |
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You are looking at further study or a career in the area of food technologist, nutrition or dietetics and this subject will be useful but not essential preparation. |
French Continuers/Beginners
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You enjoyed this subject as an elective |
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You have not studied French but would like to learn a language for interest or career reasons |
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You are looking at further study or a career in the area of languages, international studies, diplomatic service,teaching or translating and this subject will be useful but not essential preparation |
Geography
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You enjoyed this subject in Years 7-10 and did well in the School Certificate. |
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You are looking at further study at university or a career in the area of geography, urban planning or environmental courses and this subject will be useful but not essential preparation |
Hospitality Operations (Category B subject)
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You enjoyed Food Technology as an elective |
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You are looking at a career or further study at TAFE or private college in a hospitality-related area |
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You will have to complete compulsory work placements (1 week in Preliminary Year and 1 year in the HSC Year) |
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You will receive a Certificate II in Hospitality Operations (equivalent to a TAFE qualification) and may receive some advantages if you want to continue studies at TAFE in this area |
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NB: You can only include two units of a Category B subject in your UAI |
Information Processes and Technology (IPT)
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You want to pursue a career or study in computing-related areas. This subject will be useful but not essential. |
Legal Studies
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You are interested in the legal system and law-related issues. |
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You are looking at further study or a career in the area of law and this subject will be useful but not essential preparation |
Mathematics
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General Mathematics: This is the most basic math course. You would not be looking at further study in a maths-based course. |
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Mathematics: You have some mathematical ability and an interest in the subject. You are looking at university study in the areas of primary teaching (according to some uni's), economics, psychology, statistics, architecture etc |
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Mathematics Extension 1or 2: You enjoy maths and did very well in the School Certificate (ie achieved a Band 6). You are looking at university study in the areas of maths, computer science, engineering or actuarial studies etc. |
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You will need maths (minimum General Maths with a Band 4 result) for primary teaching & nursing at most universities.
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Modern History
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You enjoy History, did quite well in the School Certificate and are interested in how our world came to be the way it is |
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You want to pursue study at university in the humanities (arts, communications, economics etc) |
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You enjoy research and writing essays and would enjoy working on a major historical investigation |
Music
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You enjoyed this subject as an elective |
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You have musical ability and/or pursue this outside school |
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You are a creative person who enjoys working on a major performance-based project |
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You are looking at a career or further study in this area at a private college or university (eg performer, music teacher) |
Personal Development, Health, Physical Education (PDHPE)
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You enjoyed this subject in Years 7-10 |
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You are looking at further study at university or a career in the area of human movement/sports science/physical education-related courses and this subject will be useful but not essential preparation |
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You are aware that the content of the course is more theory-based rather than practical. |
Physics
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You enjoy Science and did very well in the School Certificate (ie achieved a Band 5 or 6) |
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You want to study a medical or health related course at university (eg medical radiation science, pharmacy) and it is either asssumed or recommended that you do this by the university |
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You want to study engineering or a science course at university ie it is either asssumed or recommended that you do this by the university |
Retail Services Curriculum Framework (Category B subject)
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You want to pursue a career or study in the retail industry. This subject will be useful but not essential. |
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You will have to complete compulsory work placements (1 week in Preliminary Year and 1 year in the HSC Year) |
Senior Science
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You are interested in various areas of science |
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You do not want to study a science-based course at university. |
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You are aware that you cannot study Senior Science with another Science subject eg Physics, Chemistry or Biology |
Studies of Religion
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Studies of Religion (1 unit) is compulsory for students at McCarthy in both Year 11 and Year 12 |
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Studies of Religion (2 unit) is for students who enjoyed Religion in Years 7-10 and achieved good results. You are interested in various areas of religious history, different religious traditions (eg Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Hinduism.) |
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The skills acquired in the 2 Unit course will suit students wishing to study humanities-based courses at university. |
Textiles and Design
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You enjoyed this subject as an elective |
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You are a creative and practical person who enjoys working on a major project |
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You are looking at a career or further study at TAFE, a private college or university in either the textiles or design areas |
Visual Arts
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You enjoyed this subject as an elective |
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You are a creative and practical person who enjoys working on a major project |
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You are looking at a career or further study in this area at TAFE, a private college or university |
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You are interested in university study in the areas of architecture, fine arts, design and planning. |
OTHER OPTIONS (explained at the Information Evening for students going onto Year 11 & in Yr 11 Subject Booklet)
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TVET courses through Tamworth TAFE |
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Courses through Open High School |
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School based Apprenticeships |
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School based Traineeships |
STUDY BEYOND YEAR 12
* TAFE and Private Colleges
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You can gain qualifications at Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma level and, in some cases, Degree level |
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You DO NOT need a UAI to get into the majority of these courses |
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You enjoy learning in a more practical and "hands-on" manner. |
* University
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You can gain qualifications at Degree level and above |
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You must satisfy the entry requirements of the university. Selection depends on the UAI you receive and the various UAI cut-off for courses at the universities. |
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Your UAI is calculated using your best 10 units and must include 2 units of English and no more than 2 units of Category B subjects. It is a rank which compares you to all other students in NSW who sat for the School Certificate with you. |
Please contact me at school if you have any queries.
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