Which Maths Should I Choose?

You do not have to study Maths in your VCE years to achieve your VCE certificate. It is advised that you continue with Maths into your VCE if you have achieved competent grades in Year 10.

There are no prerequisites for entry to Units 1, 2 and 3; however, students undertaking any study in Mathematics Mathematical Methods Units 1 and 2 or Specialist Mathematics Units 1 and 2 are assumed to have a sound background in number, algebra, function, geometry, probability and statistics.

Students must undertake Unit 3 prior to undertaking Unit 4. Units 1 to 4 are designed to a standard equivalent to the final two years of secondary education. All VCE studies are benchmarked against comparable national and international curriculum.

Enrolment in Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4 assumes a current enrolment in, or previous completion of, Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4. There are no restrictions on the number of units students may obtain credit towards satisfactory completion of the VCE.

Your Math choices for VCE are:

Year 11 Foundation Maths

In Foundation Mathematics there is a strong emphasis on the use of mathematics in practical contexts encountered in everyday life in the community, at work and at study.

Year 11 General Maths

In General Mathematics students are expected to be able to apply techniques, routines and processes involving rational and real arithmetic, sets, lists and tables, diagrams and geometric constructions, algebraic manipulation, equations and graphs with and without the use of technology.

Year 12 Further Maths

This is a continuation of the Year 11 General Mathematics course and students will study topics in the areas of Univariate and Bivariate data, Recursion and Financial Modelling, Networks and Matrices.

Year 11 & 12 Math Methods

Mathematical Methods Units 1 and 2 provide an introductory study of simple elementary functions of a single real variable, algebra, calculus, probability and statistics and their applications in a variety of practical and theoretical Contexts.

Units 3 and 4 consist of the areas of study ‘Functions and graphs’, ‘Calculus’, ‘Algebra’ and ‘Probability and statistics’ and is a continuation of Mathematical methods 1 & 2.

Year 11 & 12 Specialist Maths

Specialist Mathematics Units 1 and 2 provide a course of study for students who wish to undertake an in-depth study of mathematics, with an emphasis on concepts, skills and processes related to mathematical structure, modelling, problem solving and reasoning. This study has a focus on interest in the discipline of mathematics in its own right and investigation of a broad range of applications, as well as development of a sound background for further studies in mathematics and mathematics related fields.

Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4 assumes familiarity with the key knowledge and skills from Mathematical Methods Units 1 and 2 and Specialist Mathematics Units 1 and 2 topics.

The Mathematics subjects offered are dependent on a hierarchy level of understanding. Students who have achieved outstanding scores in Mathematics and enjoy learning with algebraic concepts should consider studying Specialist Mathematics or Mathematical Methods.

If students have achieved good to average results, then they should consider studying the General Mathematics and Further Mathematics course.

For students who would prefer to learn Mathematics in a practical concept and only study two units in Year 11, they should consider Foundation Mathematics.

Remember, you are better off choosing studies that:

you enjoy
you are good at
reflect what you are interested in studying in future levels
help provide you with more career options if you are unsure of your path

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