In terms of scaling, choosing HSC maths is generally a positive step towards maximising your UAI / ATAR. Historically, mathematics of all levels have scaled very high relative to other HSC subjects, and this trend has continued into current years. For example, if we look at the latest scaling statistics submitted by the UAC, then we could see some remarkable changes like-
Scaled mean of HSC maths of all levels for the year 2008 were HSC Maths (2 unit) – 30.4, HSC Mathematics Extension 1 – 40.0 and HSC Mathematics Extension 2 – 44.5 respectively.
Scaled mean of HSC maths of all levels for the year 2007 were HSC Maths (2 unit) – 30.5, HSC Mathematics Extension 1 – 39.6 and HSC Mathematics Extension 2 – 43.7 respectively.
The HSC mean mark of HSC maths of all levels were HSC Maths (2 unit) – 38, HSC Mathematics Extension 1 – 40 and HSC Mathematics Extension 2 – 41.8.
From these statistics, we see that all levels of maths have actually increased in scaled mean, with the exception of 2 unit maths. In particular, Maths Extension 2 has increased from a scaled mean of 43.7 to 44.5. This has placed Extension 2 as the second highest scaled subject available to students (first being Classical Greek Extension, at 45.2).
Apart from this, Scaled mean of HSC English Advanced for the year 2008 and 2007 was 31.3 and 31.2 respectively. Moreover, its HSC mean mark was 39.7. Basically, in terms of the benefit to a student’s ATAR, an average raw mark in Maths Extension 2 is equivalent to scoring in the top 2-3% for HSC Physics, Chemistry, or English Advanced. If you score the average raw mark for Maths Extension 2, the number of scaled marks added to your aggregate mark (which is used to calculate your rank position and ultimately ATAR) is the same as if you scored in the 97th-98th percentile in some other relatively high scaling subjects, like HSC Chemistry or Physics. These numbers illustrate the huge scaling effect of Extension 2 maths.
(To find out more about how the HSC scaling process works, read our comprehensive article on the HSC scaling process).
Similarly, Maths Extension 1 also benefits from a large positive scaling effect. In 2008, its scaled mean of 40.0 means that if you scored the average raw mark in Maths Extension 1, the number of marks added to your aggregate mark is the same as if you scored in the top 15% for HSC Chemistry, or Physics, or the top 10% in Biology.