2026 HSC CHAT (26 Viewers)

Sam Rowan

Sam Rowan

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CirrusTheJet said:
Deer @Sam Rowan,

I was notified that I have information of the logistics involving completing a course with mathematics perquisite. This is not an uncommon situation, as I myself and other people (which you could probably find - have experienced in other forums). You have an exact period of 15 weeks as breathing space in transitioning from high school to university. In your situation, you do have a few options. You could:
1. Complete 3units of Mathematics in 15 weeks, which is difficult but manageable when self-learning. I recommend using the bridging course videos from the First Year Mathematics and Statistics UNSW Youtube channel to cover the relevant content, which can be found at
2. Complete only 2unit Mathematics so you have more free time and do not place yourself at risk of burn out. From expereince, Mathematics Advanced isn't really 'advanced'. I would say it is close to difficulty as Mathematics Standard 2 (in terms of how much work you need to put in). This is despite there being more content compared to Standard 2 Mathematics.
3. Check whether USYD offers bridiging courses during its semesters (such as term 1 or term 2) so you do not have to spend money upfront. Although I do not know what the quality is like, as I have not tried such bridging courses. Mathematics can be self-learned, although this can come with greater difficulties.
4. Go straight into the course, as from experience in MATH1131 for UNSW, you could probably learn the content anyways without the assumed knowledge (they go through the basics anyways). However, this might be more difficult without any previous exposure.

I think you should at least do some Mathematics Advanced, and maybe consider starting on the algebra and functions topic during Year 12 to get a headstart.

You might consider skipping the probability sections in combinatorics (binomial theorem, factorial notation are what really matter from that topic), trigonometric products as sums and differences, volumes of revolution, binomial distribution, and projectile motion for Extension 1 Mathematics. In Mathematics Advanced, you could skip some of the statistical analysis topic. At least completing the calculus, functions and probably vectors content will help you the most.

If you need any help with mathematics or questions or if you want any practice tests, you can ask on the Mathematics Thread.

Kind regards, CirrusTheJet.
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Thank you so much for your advice, it’s really appreciated!
 
J

Jaros

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CirrusTheJet said:
Deer @Sam Rowan,

I was notified that I have information of the logistics involving completing a course with mathematics perquisite. This is not an uncommon situation, as I myself and other people (which you could probably find - have experienced in other forums). You have an exact period of 15 weeks as breathing space in transitioning from high school to university. In your situation, you do have a few options. You could:
1. Complete 3units of Mathematics in 15 weeks, which is difficult but manageable when self-learning. I recommend using the bridging course videos from the First Year Mathematics and Statistics UNSW Youtube channel to cover the relevant content, which can be found at
2. Complete only 2unit Mathematics so you have more free time and do not place yourself at risk of burn out. From expereince, Mathematics Advanced isn't really 'advanced'. I would say it is close to difficulty as Mathematics Standard 2 (in terms of how much work you need to put in). This is despite there being more content compared to Standard 2 Mathematics.
3. Check whether USYD offers bridiging courses during its semesters (such as term 1 or term 2) so you do not have to spend money upfront. Although I do not know what the quality is like, as I have not tried such bridging courses. Mathematics can be self-learned, although this can come with greater difficulties.
4. Go straight into the course, as from experience in MATH1131 for UNSW, you could probably learn the content anyways without the assumed knowledge (they go through the basics anyways). However, this might be more difficult without any previous exposure.

I think you should at least do some Mathematics Advanced, and maybe consider starting on the algebra and functions topic during Year 12 to get a headstart.

You might consider skipping the probability sections in combinatorics (binomial theorem, factorial notation are what really matter from that topic), trigonometric products as sums and differences, volumes of revolution, binomial distribution, and projectile motion for Extension 1 Mathematics. In Mathematics Advanced, you could skip some of the statistical analysis topic. At least completing the calculus, functions and probably vectors content will help you the most.

If you need any help with mathematics or questions or if you want any practice tests, you can ask on the Mathematics Thread.

Kind regards, CirrusTheJet.
Click to expand...
hey I just wanted to ask you, since you did std 2 math in HSC how are you coping with the maths in engineering one of the kids I know does std 2 math and wants to do engineering. He just wanted to know if like how far behind would he be, and would how much it would hurt his chances at passing the classes for said engineering.

Personally I do 4u math, would I have like some sort of advantage like knowing the content or having the math skills and if there is any studying up u recommend that I should do before starting uni next year,

any advice is appreciated,
Cheers
 
CirrusTheJet

CirrusTheJet

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I think being able to learn the content and also doing questions of increasing difficulty will help them the most. As I said though, you can literally come in with only Standard 2 Mathematics and probably still do well (but it would require a substantial amount of work). Learning at least Advanced Mathematics will help. Doing past HSC papers for questions will also help. Learning especially calculus is important for first year univeristy. Our first lecture started off from sets and notation before moving on to functions. So it is definitely doable.

I think even if they do not do Advanced Mathematics, knowing factoring techniques and other algebra techniques not covered in standard 2 maths is very important.
 
J

Jaros

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CirrusTheJet said:
I think being able to learn the content and also doing questions of increasing difficulty will help them the most. As I said though, you can literally come in with only Standard 2 Mathematics and probably still do well (but it would require a substantial amount of work). Learning at least Advanced Mathematics will help. Doing past HSC papers for questions will also help. Learning especially calculus is important for first year univeristy. Our first lecture started off from sets and notation before moving on to functions. So it is definitely doable.

I think even if they do not do Advanced Mathematics, knowing factoring techniques and other algebra techniques not covered in standard 2 maths is very important.
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ok thank you ill let him know that
 
CirrusTheJet

CirrusTheJet

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But just as a side note, content moves very very fast. I was already falling behind very fast on my first week. So they need to have very good study methods and time management (especially because trimesters apparently make content more rushed - according to the internet). Staying 1 week ahead of content is important (they give materials before term 1 starts in MATH1131).
 
J

Jaros

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CirrusTheJet said:
But just as a side note, content moves very very fast. I was already falling behind very fast on my first week. So they need to have very good study methods and time management (especially because trimesters apparently make content more rushed - according to the internet). Staying 1 week ahead of content is important (they give materials before term 1 starts in MATH1131).
Click to expand...
like we talking how many hrs per day?? also what engineering are u doing in particular?
 
CirrusTheJet

CirrusTheJet

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Mechanical Engineering. According to the credit system that UNSW has, students should be studying about 25 hours/week. But I was studying 35 hours/week initially. Now it is about 29/30 hours.

It depends on how efficient the study methods are.
 
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