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Modern history vs legal studies Decision ASAP (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Werq
- Start date
All I have to offer is scaling. I will not mention marks, because most year 11s don't have a feel for final HSC marks at this stage.
Instead, here is a comparison between the percentile (the percentage of the state you beat in each subject) and the ATAR you would get if each of your other subjects contributed the same amount to your ATAR as does this subject.
Modern History
Percentile (ATAR)
99 (99.95)
98 (99.5)
97 (99)
95 (98)
90 (95)
81 (90)
73 (85)
63 (80)
Legal Studies
Percentile (ATAR)
High 99 (99.95)
99 (95)
98 (99)
96 (98)
92 (95)
84 (90)
77 (85)
69 (80)
So it appears at first glance that (at the top end) MH scales SLIGHTLY better.
But don't forget that the whole point of scaling is to account for the different quality of candidates attempting each subject.
Factoring that in, if the system works properly (and it does in most cases), there should be no difference.
The only thing that will affect which subject you do better in is which one you are better at (possibly influenced by the quality of teachers and your interest in the subject).
Instead, here is a comparison between the percentile (the percentage of the state you beat in each subject) and the ATAR you would get if each of your other subjects contributed the same amount to your ATAR as does this subject.
Modern History
Percentile (ATAR)
99 (99.95)
98 (99.5)
97 (99)
95 (98)
90 (95)
81 (90)
73 (85)
63 (80)
Legal Studies
Percentile (ATAR)
High 99 (99.95)
99 (95)
98 (99)
96 (98)
92 (95)
84 (90)
77 (85)
69 (80)
So it appears at first glance that (at the top end) MH scales SLIGHTLY better.
But don't forget that the whole point of scaling is to account for the different quality of candidates attempting each subject.
Factoring that in, if the system works properly (and it does in most cases), there should be no difference.
The only thing that will affect which subject you do better in is which one you are better at (possibly influenced by the quality of teachers and your interest in the subject).
Last edited:
isn't modern history easier? My friend who did both found there was less info/notes in modern and in a way not worth it she chose legal... More effort/time for the same/similar marks/Atar... I won't get 99.95 or be a confirmed lawyer, although I know law is helpful in life, I'm not sure if it's wise decision for subjects. I feel like modern history will allow more time for other subjects... Or am I wrong?
- Joined
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- HSC
- 2014
- Uni Grad
- 2018
Go with Modern you'll probably enjoy it more..
As I said, scaling is all I have to offer. I teach maths and have little idea about the content and work involved in these subjects.
InsoulvencyReaper
Existential Crisis
- Joined
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- Female
- HSC
- 2013
I felt when I did the two, they both require a similar skill set - you need to engage in higher order thinking, analysis and a lot of essay writing. Both subjects are content heavy and will require work in order to do well.
It's up to you, just do what you'll enjoy and enjoy what you do. Study hard and strive for those marks, even if it turns out that you don't like your choice.
It's up to you, just do what you'll enjoy and enjoy what you do. Study hard and strive for those marks, even if it turns out that you don't like your choice.
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2014
- Messages
- 1,948
- Gender
- Female
- HSC
- 2016
Make the decision yourself? I mean, there are so many factors to it.
You should talk to your teacher and year advisor about it.
You should talk to your teacher and year advisor about it.
I was set on changing to modern, I already half filled the form to change, but after consulting with the teachers who take the subjects, they said modern is actually 'harder' and that a lot of people in my school did well in legal.... And mainly the students doing modern don't like the modern teacher and say my legal teacher is good... Omg, and I like certain parts of modern history but other parts like Russia I don't seem to know much about, and doing commerce last year helped a little bit in my legal classes.