You still have a chance to state rank, even if you're not ranked first internally! Here's why:
- HSC Exam Marks Matter More for State Ranking: State rankings are determined by your external HSC exam mark, not your internal rank. So if you perform exceptionally well in the final exam (like scoring 99 or 100 raw), you can still beat others in the state even if your internal rank isn't first.
- Moderation Process: Your internal rank will moderate your internal marks, but as long as your cohort performs well overall (which seems likely with your school's track record of around 10 Band 6s in Advanced Math), this won’t pull you down too much.
- Historical Performance: Given your school’s history of producing Band 6s and occasionally a state rank, it's possible. You’re in a competitive environment, but being second or third in a high-achieving group still puts you in a solid position.
So, if you absolutely crush the HSC exam and score 99-100 raw, you're definitely in the running for a state rank! Focus on perfecting your exam technique and keep aiming high. You've got a shot.