BlogStudyHSC Standard Maths Data Breakdown: Drop Rates, Band 6 Distribution & more

HSC Standard Maths Data Breakdown: Drop Rates, Band 6 Distribution & more

Finding that Math is just really not for you? Thinking about dropping HSC Standard Maths? 

But how do you know if that is the right decision for you? You gotta make sure you know and understand the stats and facts. 

Luckily, we’ve crawled through UAC’S scaling data and the NSW public school course enrolment figures to create your ultimate fact sheet for HSC Standard Maths! And you’re reading it! Continue to find out the percentage of Band 6 achievers, the top ATAR you can score and so much more!

Let’s get started!

What to consider when dropping a subject

But wait! What are the key things you should consider before dropping HSC Standard Maths? 

  1. Will dropping HSC Standard Maths really give you more time to study for your other subjects? 
  2. Is HSC Standard Maths a prerequisite for a university course you want to study?

To help you weigh up the options, check our article on what to consider when dropping a subject here!

Or check out our video on it below!

How many students drop HSC Standard Maths?

Between 2019 and 2020, 15.06% of students who were studying HSC Standard Maths dropped it. In total, this is 5740 students! 

However, if we look at the historical data across the past 8 years, we see a massive increase in the average percentage of students dropping HSC Standard Maths. The average percentage of students who dropped the subject from 2012-2020, is 23.75%. That’s around 6 in 25 people. 

how many people drop standard maths?

Are more or less people taking HSC Standard Maths?

Since 2012, this number of students dropping Standard Maths has had massive changes with 2012 being the smallest drop rate of 12.89% and 2015 having the highest drop rate of 30.73%!

There was a drastic 17.23% decrease of students dropping HSC Standard Maths from 2018 and 2019. This could be due to the Syllabus changes that were introduced to the subject in 2019, including the addition of Networks!

Standard Maths Drop Percentages

Are more girls or boys dropping HSC Standard Maths?

There is only a slight difference between the number of boys and the number of girls who drop HSC Standard Maths. 

Data from over the past 8 years suggests that on average, 23.64% of boys drop HSC Standard, compared to 21.37% of girls. 

This could suggest that slightly more boys drop to HSC Standard Maths than girls.

Standard Maths drop rate boys and girls

Is HSC Standard Maths a popular subject to drop?

Finding the right level of Maths (if any at all) is often a big question students have when selecting their HSC Subjects. Given Standard Maths’ popularity, it is not surprising that HSC Standard Maths is on the top 10 list of the most dropped HSC Subjects

In fact, HSC Standard Maths is the sixth most dropped subject of the subjects with the highest enrolment figures in the entire HSC

Subjects with highest drop rates

What’s the average mark for people who take HSC Standard Maths compared to Advanced Maths?

If you are thinking of dropping Standard Maths, there is usually no way you can join Advanced Maths however we will still compare the two subjects! 

Over the past five years, the average mark for students who studied Standard Maths is a low Band 4 at 70.6, but remember that the HSC does not give part marks, this is just an average. Between 2016 and 2020, the average mark has fluctuated between 70 and 72. 

And Advanced Maths? The average mark for students who have taken Advanced Maths is nearly a whole Band higher at 80.2

Average score for Standard and Advanced Maths

How likely is it that I’ll get a Band 6 in HSC Standard Maths?

So if the average Standard Maths mark is 70.6 (Band 4), how likely is it that you will get a Band 6? Well, across the past five years, only 5.80% of students who take HSC Standard Maths reach that Band 6. That is around 1 in 15 people! 

What about the other Bands?

Most Standard Maths students receive a Band 4, at 27%. The second highest Band group is Band 3 with 25.40% of students receiving it.

You can view the rest of the Bands breakdown below! 

Band Distribution - Std Maths

Still confused? Put our HSC Subject Decision Tree Tool to work! We created this tool for students which goes into all the different factors you need to think about for subjects you’re choosing to drop or keep.

What’s the top ATAR I can get with HSC Standard Maths?

The highest ATAR anyone can achieve with any subject combination is really 99.95.

That being said, no one in the last 5 years has achieved a 99.95 ATAR with Standard Maths. The average highest ATAR mark for Standard Maths is 99.71 (so close!). In 2017, the highest ATAR for a student studying Standard Maths was 99.9! 

Aaaand that’s all for our ultimate fact sheet and deep dive into everything HSC Standard Maths. Good luck in making your decision!

If you’re thinking about sticking with Standard Maths, check out our guide to getting a Band 6 here!

Curious about the drop rates for other subjects?

Check out the stats and figures we’ve compiled for the following subjects:

Looking for extra help with HSC Standard Maths?

We pride ourselves on our inspirational HSC Standard Maths coaches and mentors!

Whether you decide to stick with HSC Standard Maths or not, our tutors and mentors can help you feel confident in ANY Subject (yes, even any level of Maths)! Master Networks, ace your investigation reports and prepare for your exams with 1 on 1 tutoring in your own home, online or at one of our campuses in Hills or Hornsby (we also do small group classes!)! Our excellent team of Maths tutors in Penrith can also help you out.

Achieve a band 6 with the help of one of our expert HSC maths tutors in Blacktown!! Get booked in today!

Over the past 10 years, Art of Smart has a proven track record of helping over 8,000 students feel confident and improve their marks by 20.7%!

To find out more and get started with an inspirational tutor and mentor get in touch today! 

Give us a ring on 1300 267 888, email us at [email protected] or check us out on TikTok!

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