In Australia, grades seven to twelve correspond to secondary school. Grades seven to nine constitute junior high school, while grades ten to twelve comprise senior high school. Grade twelve is a unique year because it’s the year when high school students prepare for graduation and take the high school graduation exam. The results of this exam are the sole criteria for university admission in Australia.
What year do you get to pick your subjects?
In Australia, students typically need to make choices about their high school courses when they reach the tenth grade. Many students find this process confusing and stressful, as they are unsure which subjects to choose and which ones are the best choices.
On the other hand, some students do not give it enough thought and make decisions too lightly, often leading to regrettable outcomes. This course selection process is crucial for students, as the grades they receive in grades eleven and twelve will factor into their final Australian high school exam scores.
Compulsory Subjects and Electives
Australian school courses can be divided into eight major learning areas, including English, Mathematics, Science, Health and Physical Education, Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Languages other than English, and The Arts. Within these eight areas, students have a range of subjects to choose from, with English being the only compulsory subject; the rest are electives.
Each year, individual states determine the range of subjects for the graduation exam. Students are allowed to choose subjects based on their personal interests and strengths. Each high school offers dozens, and sometimes even hundreds, of courses to choose from.
Regardless of which subjects students select, they all carry equal weight. For example, Music, Drama, Economics, and Mathematics all carry the same value.
What Should Students Consider?
Reverse Planning
When choosing courses, students should think in the following order: future career, university major, grade twelve course selection, grade eleven course selection, grade ten course selection, and course selection in other grades.
For example, if a student aspires to be a doctor, they need to take biology and chemistry in grade twelve to meet the requirements of a medical major at university. Therefore, they should have a foundation in biology and chemistry in grade eleven and even choose advanced chemistry and biology in grade ten.
Personal Circumstances
Australian high school courses do not distinguish between primary and secondary subjects; all courses hold equal value in front of the final exams. Students can choose courses based on their strengths and interests.
Thoroughly Research Course Content
Many students only look at the course names before deciding what to study. However, when they start studying, they may find that the actual content is different from what they expected or that they have difficulty understanding it.
Every year during the course selection, all course information is made available for student reference, including what each course covers, whether it requires prior knowledge, and the exam format, whether it’s closed-book, open-book, presentation, or essay. It’s important to thoroughly research each course to ensure it aligns with your interests and capabilities.