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April 19, 2026 \u2014 7:45pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n Save this article for later<\/p>\n Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n Got it<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n More than 8000 students abandoned advanced mathematics in last year\u2019s Higher School Certificate, with a third of students across the state dropping the course between year 11 and 12.<\/p>\n More than a quarter of year 11 students enrolled in physics, chemistry and engineering dumped each of those subjects before starting year 12, NSW Education Standards Authority enrolment figures show.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The decline is despite a push for Australia to build its graduate workforce across the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, in order to strengthen the nation\u2019s innovation, competitiveness and sovereignty.<\/p>\n Mathematics Association of NSW Education Consultant Miriam Lees said the calculus skills covered in advanced mathematics equipped students with the critical thinking skills to succeed at university.<\/p>\n \u201cBasically, if your undergraduate degree requires mathematics, advanced is the minimum you need to ensure you can meet those requirements,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Students are required to complete 10 units for their final HSC year, as opposed to 12 units in Year 11.<\/p>\n Lees said the dropoff of thousands of students from advanced mathematics between years 11 and 12 could be tracked back to overly ambitious parents who pushed children towards courses they were ill-suited to in the first place.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the reasons that this happens is that students and parents are not following the advice of teachers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Year 12 student Jasmine Edwards, 16, was good at maths throughout high school so opted to study the advanced course. \u201cIt\u2019s not a walk in the park,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Related Article She dropped down to standard as she realised the work required for the harder course was not necessarily worth the reward.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t want to put in the work hours because I don\u2019t want to do anything mathsy after school.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a similar story for Stevie Crosby, 17, who excelled in advanced and extension but when she hit year 12, the content became a lot more difficult.<\/p>\n \u201cI just wasn\u2019t spending enough time on advanced to do well, because I was just so discouraged.\u201d<\/p>\n Related Article Professor of practice in mathematics education at the University of Sydney, Eddie Woo, was not concerned about the decline between years 11 and 12, describing it as \u201ca feature, not a bug\u201d of the HSC system.<\/p>\n \u201cA stunningly small number of students have a clear idea of what they want to do after school when they\u2019re in year 10,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey want to be as aspirational as they can be, then the decision gets refined later.\u201d<\/p>\n Former NSW Department of Education head Mark Scott previously linked a decline in higher level maths enrolments back to primary school teachers, whose avoidance of mathematics can imbue students with negative attitudes towards the subject.<\/p>\n A NSW Education Standards spokeswoman said students adjust HSC subjects for various reasons including a change in their post-school plans, passion for the course, engagement with the content, or ability.<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"University](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/5e60eea5cbfd11f2065441ac7a2abd0c2cdc8d1c.jpeg\")
University of Sydney maths professor Eddie Woo is not concerned about the decline in the number of students taking maths.Kate Geraghty<\/p>\n![\"Kate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/68a888ce8309eed5ff28de1f9ff78e826b74fbee.jpeg\")
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