Students studying advanced maths across the state are being punished for taking on the more challenging HSC subject as the number of students studying no maths or general maths continues to grow.

A study of almost 50,000 students who studied mathematics in the 2013 HSC has revealed that the current scaling mechanisms that determine university admissions unfairly advantage general mathematics students, who study a simpler form of practical mathematics than those who undertake the calculus-based two-unit course.

Students at Homebush Boys High after finishing an HSC exam last year. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

The research published in the Australian Journal of Education showed that on average general maths students were almost twice as likely to improve their results based on their corresponding year 10 school certificate data. Those that studied advanced mathematics were three times more likely to see a reduction in their results with a nine mark advantage between the two courses.

"There is a clear and strong message from students that higher level mathematics is not the preferred option for the HSC," wrote the reports author David Pitt. "The current scaling mechanism provides a strong incentive to take general mathematics for a very large group of students."