Which VCE Science Should I Do? Choosing the Right Subject for your ATAR Success
Choosing your VCE subjects can feel a little overwhelming — especially when it comes to the sciences. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology… they all sound important, but each one asks something different from you as a student. The good news? You don’t need to guess your way through it. With the right guidance, you can pick a science subject that plays to your strengths, supports your future goals, and actually makes Year 11 and 12 feel easier rather than harder.
This guide breaks everything down simply, so you can walk away feeling confident in your choice — and ready to take on VCE Science with a game plan.
KIS Summary:
- Overview of all VCE Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Psychology.
- Breakdown of what each subject involves, the skills required, and which students each subject suits best.
- Proven habits that help students score 40+ in VCE Science subjects.
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Table of Contents
- What Are the VCE Science Subjects?
- Which VCE Science Should You Choose?
- How to Prepare for VCE Science (and Actually Stay Ahead)
- How to Set Yourself Up for a 40+ Study Score in Any VCE Science
What Are the VCE Science Subjects?
VCE offers several science subjects, each with a different flavour, skill set, and style of assessment. Here’s a quick breakdown:
🧬 VCE Biology — Best for human body and nature enthusiasts
What it’s about: Biological systems, evolution, genetics, immunity, homeostasis.
Skills needed: Memorisation, linking concepts, interpreting diagrams, SAC-heavy writing.
Students who thrive: Those who like structured notes, real-life applications, and learning content through stories.
⚗️ VCE Chemistry — Best for problem-solvers and analytical thinkers
What it’s about: Chemical equations, reaction pathways, equilibrium, fuels, spectroscopy.
Skills needed: Logic, practice questions, mastering calculations + theory.
Students who thrive: Students who like maths, patterns, and building concepts step-by-step.
🧲 VCE Physics — Best for maths-leaning students and abstract thinkers
What it’s about: Motion, forces, electricity, waves, nuclear physics, astrophysics (depending on study design).
Skills needed: Strong algebra, spatial reasoning, and modelling real-world systems.
Students who thrive: Anyone who loves thinking about how the world works and doesn’t mind challenging problem-solving.
🧠 VCE Psychology — Best for real-life learners and curious thinkers
What it’s about: Mental processes, learning, memory, the brain, behaviour, research methods.
Skills needed: Memorisation + application of theory + methodical writing.
Students who thrive: Students who enjoy explanations for human behaviour and structured responses.
🔍 So… Which VCE Science Should You Choose?
Here’s the honest truth I tell every student I tutor:
Choose based on strengths — not scaling
Scaling changes every year, and high scaling means nothing if you struggle with the subject. A 38 in Physics often requires significantly more work than a 45 in Biology, depending on your skills.
Match the subject to your career interests
- Medicine or Biomedical Science → Chemistry + Biology
- Engineering → Physics + Chemistry
- Psychology → Psychology (obviously!), plus Biology
- Environmental science → Biology + Chemistry
Think about your learning style
- Love memorising? → Biology / Psychology
- Love maths and formulas? → Physics / Chemistry
- Prefer practical applications? → Biology / Psychology
- Prefer logic and calculations? → Chemistry / Physics
Check the prerequisite subjects for university
Many science/health/STEM degrees require Chemistry.
Physics is often recommended for engineering but not always compulsory.
When in doubt: Look at prerequisites first.
📚 How to Prepare for VCE Science (and Actually Stay Ahead)
1. Learn the Study Design before school even starts
Every science subject has a detailed VCAA Study Design outlining:
- key knowledge
- key skills
- assessment formats
Understanding this early gives you a roadmap of what matters most.
2. Build a summarised notes system — not a 200-page textbook
The biggest mistake students make is rewriting the textbook.
Your notes should be:
- concise
- visual (flow charts, diagrams, tables)
- made progressively throughout the year
Use:
- Cornell notes
- mind maps
- annotated diagrams
- cheat-sheet style summaries
Your goal is to summarise, not reproduce the theory.
3. Start doing practice questions early
VCE Sciences are application-based. The content is only half the subject — the questions are where marks come from.
This applies especially to:
- Chemistry calculations
- Physics modelling + reasoning
- Biology short-answer questions
- Psychology research methods
Start slowly:
- Unit 1–2: practice whenever you finish a topic
- Unit 3–4: practice every week
By the time exams come around, you should have completed:
- Chem/Physics: 10–15 practice exams
- Bio/Psych: 8–10 practice exams
- All school SAC-style questions
4. Master your scientific writing style
High-scoring students write answers that are:
- structured
- precise
- linking cause → effect → justification
- free of filler words
Example for Bio:
❌ “The body keeps you warm.”
✔️ “A decrease in body temperature activates thermoreceptors, triggering hypothalamic signalling to initiate shivering thermogenesis, increasing heat production.”
Learn how each subject wants you to respond.
5. Know your weaknesses before SACs
A simple but powerful method:
📌 After each practice question:
- mark it
- identify the error type (content / application / method / carelessness)
- write the correct reasoning
- review again before SACs
High scorers aren’t perfect.
They’re just very aware of their patterns of mistakes.
🎯 Final Advice: How to Set Yourself Up for a 40+ Study Score in Any VCE Science
From both personal experience and years of tutoring, here’s the formula that works:
🌟 1. Know the content early
Don’t rely on last-minute cramming. Build understanding gradually.
🌟 2. Use active study methods
Flashcards, retrieval practice, spaced repetition — these outperform passive note-reading every time.
🌟 3. Practice exams are non-negotiable
They’re the number one predictor of exam performance.
🌟 4. Ask for help when needed
A tutor, teacher, or high-achieving peer can save you hours of confusion.
🌟 5. Balance your workload
VCE Sciences can be heavy. Plan weekly revision sessions and stay consistent.
🧪 Should You Do a VCE Science?
If you enjoy understanding the world, solving problems, or exploring how living organisms work, a VCE science isn’t just a subject — it’s a massive head start for university and a strong foundation for STEM careers.
The key is simple:
Pick the science that suits your strengths, prepare early, and stay consistent.
And if you ever want personalised guidance, practice questions, help with SACs, or support through the year, KIS Academics tutors are here to help you achieve the score you’re aiming for.
You don’t need to do VCE alone — and you definitely don’t have to figure out which science to choose by yourself.
Want more study guides to get ahead of your studies? Check out these articles!
FAQs
Is VCE Biology or Chemistry harder?
It depends on your strengths.
- Biology is content-heavy and requires a lot of memorisation, diagram interpretation, and refined short-answer writing. Students who enjoy structured notes and real-life explanations often find it manageable.
- Chemistry is generally considered harder because it combines theory with maths, problem-solving, and abstract concepts like equilibrium and reaction pathways. Many students find the calculations and multi-step reasoning more challenging than Biology’s straightforward content.
Most students rate Chemistry as harder overall, but strong maths/logic learners may find it the opposite.
Which VCE subject scales up the most?
Historically, the subjects with the highest scaling include:
- Specialist Mathematics (the highest scaling subject)
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematical Methods
- Latin / languages
- English Language
Among the sciences, Physics and Chemistry scale the highest, while Biology and Psychology scale less due to higher enrolments and less difficulty in comparison.
But remember: scaling does not make a subject easier or guarantee a high score. It only adjusts scores to reflect how strong the cohort is. Always choose based on your strengths, not scaling alone.
Which is harder, VCE Chemistry or Physics?
Both are challenging, but in different ways:
VCE Chemistry feels harder if:
- calculations aren’t your strength
- you struggle with abstract concepts like equilibrium or redox
- you prefer straight content over maths-based reasoning
VCE Physics feels harder if:
- maths is not your strong suit
- you find modelling, diagrams, or interpreting graphs tricky
- you prefer factual content rather than conceptual thinking
General consensus from most students:
- Chemistry is harder in Units 1–2.
- Physics becomes harder in Units 3–4 due to complex applications and multi-step problem solving.
If you enjoy maths and logic → Physics may feel easier
If you prefer structured theory and pattern-based reasoning → Chem may feel easier
Want more personalised guidance to help support you through your studies? Find a KIS Academics tutor today!
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