Effects of Dropping Math? (1 Viewer)

[Kartoffelei]

I've decided to drop math altogether in Y12, focusing on my other subjects as I do very badly in math. However, I was wondering about the effects of this in Uni and my ATAR.

I'm aiming for a Bachelor of Law/Commerce in UNSW, hopefully a non-math major pathway.
My subjects are Modern History (100% in last assessment, rank 1st), Economics(80% in last assessment, unknown rank), Studies of Religion 2 unit(88% in last assessment, rank 13th), English Advance(96% in last assessment, rank 2nd) and Legal Studies(88% in last assessment, rank 2nd).
Math was (44% in last assessment task, rank 23rd)

 

[jimmysmith560]

There might be a slight effect of dropping maths altogether on your university studies. However, the effect of dropping maths altogether in your case will not be as significant as a student intending to study a degree involving a substantial amount of maths, such as engineering, actuarial studies etc., in which case dropping maths is problematic.

A Bachelor of Business/Commerce typically includes one or more units (depending on the university) that target maths and statistics, which tend to be first-year/introductory level units. Once such units (and other core units) are completed, the focus shifts (or increases) towards the student's major(s). In your case, if you intend to specialise in an area that does not involve maths, the units that you will study for that major are likely not to involve maths.

Law as a field requires a rather basic level of numeracy, meaning that if a Bachelor of Laws includes some form of mathematical component, you can expect it to be less complex than that of a Bachelor of Commerce, which is already not very complex, especially if you intend to study a major that does not involve maths.

It would be a good idea to have a look at the handbook for this double degree in order to determine the units that involve maths in each program (if applicable). Based on this, you will be able to make further inquiries.

In terms of your ATAR, keep in mind that you can achieve a high ATAR with any combination of subjects (including without maths). Dropping maths altogether (not to mention the fact that it is your lowest-performing subject) will allow you to focus your effort towards your other subjects, in which you appear to be performing at a significantly higher standard than you were in maths anyway.

I hope this helps!