Mapping Your VCE: A Guide On Selecting Subjects For Success

⏱ 3-5 min

After all, your year 11 and 12 studies shape not just your ATAR, but your day‑to‑day enjoyment – and ultimately your future pathways. Unsure where to begin? Let’s break down key considerations to help you navigate this maze with confidence.

What subjects should I take for VCE? That’s the million-dollar question weighing on all students’ minds come year 10. Unlike the problems in your maths homework, there is no single ‘right answer.’ In fact, with over 90 subjects, mapping out these pivotal last 2 years of school can have you feeling less spoiled for choice, and just plain stressed. 

Hear our co-founder’s top tips for VCE subject selection

 

First know the rules you’ll need to follow

In Victoria, students must undertake a minimum of 4 VCE subjects. In common practice, though, most opt for 5 or 6 to maximize their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). While some schools allow you to take on extra subjects early, remember that a maximum of 6 count towards your ATAR. Any scores outside your top 6? Discarded. But that hasn’t discouraged some students from taking 7 or even 8, whether it be out of love for the fields, or for a ‘back up’ score in case one subject doesn’t quite work out.

There is one subject you can’t escape: at least one English subject must be part of the minimum 4 you complete. Luckily, you have some options:

1. VCE English

Known as ‘mainstream English’ due to popularity, this remains the subject with the largest cohort each year. It’s a generalist one that covers essays on books, films and articles plus persuasive speeches and creative writing.

2. VCE Literature 

A specialised version of English that focuses on close reading and literary interpretation of texts. Its competitive cohort and abstract concepts give Literature its reputation as a more ‘advanced’ or difficult English, despite it being no easy feat to score highly in either of the two.

3. VCE English Language 

If writing heart-rending essays on the deeper meaning of texts just doesn’t do it for you, you might prefer to analyse English grammar, structures and history in Englang. For this reason, it’s often the go-to for students who consider themselves ‘STEM-minded’ and less into humanities.

But there’s a final catch that isn’t common knowledge. Ever heard of too much of a good thing? If you’re a maths lover thinking of taking 3 maths – perhaps a killer combo of Methods, Specialist and Further Maths – just know that only the best 2 can go into your top 4 scores. The third will be a fifth or sixth subject, meaning it contributes much less to your ATAR (10%, to be exact).

Rules to Remember

• Minimum Subjects: Take at least 4
• English is Non‑negotiable: You’ll need at least one of English, Literature or English Language
• ATAR Contributors: You can study more, but only your best 6 scores count towards your ATAR, and only 2 maths subjects can be in your top 4.

Align subjects with future goals

While most of us are undecided about our career in year 10, it’s wise to do some detective work into potential university pathways. Entry to certain courses requires you to have done specific subjects in VCE.

1. Medicine & Health

• Chemistry is often required for direct‑entry MD and allied health courses.
  

2. Engineering 

• Mathematical Methods is essential, with Physics or Chemistry highly recommended.
  

Taking common prerequisites will give you flexibility down the track. As you draw closer to graduation your plan may change or grow clearer – in which case you don’t want to be kicking yourself for not taking that prerequisite you’ll need. 

Disclaimer: even if that happens, there’s always other ways to enter your dream course eg. via ‘bridging’ courses. But the extra time and money means we’d ideally avoid this in the first place. 

It’s essential to do your own research on university websites. Take 5 minutes to explore the VTAC CourseSearch and jot down specific requirements for courses that pique your interest.

Instead of blindly following your heart, think practically

Potential hot take: don’t solely base subject choices on what you think will be interesting. Often how they’re taught and assessed in VCE can differ wildly from expectations. 

Why ‘I Love It’ Isn’t Always Enough

Even if graphic design is your passion, that might not translate to you enjoying and excelling in VCE Visual Communication & Design. SACs and exams won’t let you flex Photoshop skills as they instead assess writing, sketching and shading objects under time pressure. 

Know What You’re In For

• Review VCAA Study Designs for shortlisted subjects to understand the content and format of your assessments
• Ask Yourself:
  • Do I thrive under deadline-driven tasks or continuous assessment?
  • Do the topics in the Study Design sound cool or useful to learn?
  • Can I balance this workload with my other subjects?

Understanding the nitty-gritty of each curriculum can save you from unpleasant surprises or challenges later on.

Understanding how subjects scale will inform your plan

Here’s where things get strategic. Chances are you’ve heard of subject scaling, which levels the playing field by adjusting raw scores up or down to reflect a subject’s relative difficulty or ‘competitiveness.’

• Specialist Mathematics and most Languages scale up as they typically attract high-achievers, making it harder to perform at the top end. A raw score of 40 in French, for instance, scales over 50, significantly boosting your ATAR. 

• Conversely, others like Further Mathematics scale down; it’s a common misconception that this means they’re ‘easy.’ In reality, since the content is seen as less challenging, students have less room for error. A mark lost on exams can greatly impact your score!

High Achiever’s Hack: Pair Specialist Maths With A Language

This combo is popular among those aiming for the very top ATARs (think 99.95!) as it allows you to take full advantage of the scaling boost VCAA gives these subjects. Of course, this only works if you already have an aptitude for them.

Don’t fall into the trap of picking subjects solely based on their scaling. Instead, play to your strengths and choose subjects you genuinely think you can do well in. Rule of thumb: you’re more likely to score high in a low-scaling subject you understand and enjoy, compared to a high-scaling one you struggle with.

Putting it all into practice – A Step‑by‑Step Checklist 

1. Meet Requirements: 4 subjects minimum, 1 English included.
   
2. Research Prerequisites: Identify pathways of interest and entry requirements.
   
3. Scan Study Designs: Highlight key assessment types and topic areas.
   
4. Review Scaling Trends: Note which subjects typically boost or lower scores.
   
5. Map Your Weekly Load: Sketch a timetable imagining SACs, homework, and extracurriculars across all subjects to see if they pair well. 

While important, the decisions you make now aren’t final

Good news! If subject selection has you stressed, just know that what you decide now isn’t set in stone. At the end of the year you usually have a ‘transition’ period where you can try sitting those classes, to see if a subject’s for you. Most schools even offer flexibility to change subjects throughout Year 11. 

Your VCE journey is uniquely yours

In the end, the best subjects are those that align with your interests, strengths, and aspirations. Don’t just follow your friends or what ‘sounds’ fun at a glance. Take time to reflect on what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what doors you might want to keep open. With thoughtful planning, you’re setting the stage for a successful and fulfilling VCE experience. Best of luck!

If you need further guidance or have specific questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your school’s career advisor — or explore our VCE subject-specific programs, including Maths Methods, Chemistry, and Biology. For flexible support, consider our online VCE tutoring options or learn how SAC scaling works so you can plan your subject mix with confidence.