Victorian Certificate of Education
Encyclopedia
The Victorian Certificate of Education or VCE is the credential awarded to secondary school
students who successfully complete high school level studies (Year 11 and 12 or equivalent) in the state of Victoria
, Australia
. Study for the VCE is usually completed over two years, but it can be spread over a longer period in some cases. It is possible to pass and obtain the VCE without completing the end of year exams. The VCE was established in 1987, replacing the earlier Higher School Certificate
(HSC).
All VCE studies are organised into units (VCE subjects typically consist of four units; each unit covers one semester of study). Each unit comprises a set number of outcomes (usually two or three); an outcome describes the knowledge and skills that a student should demonstrate by the time the student has completed the unit. Subject choice depends on each individual school. Unit 3/4 of a subject must be studied in sequential order, whereas Unit 1/2 can be mixed and matched. Students are not required to complete all the units of a subject as part of the VCE course, meaning they are able to change subject choice between Year 11 and Year 12.
On completing a unit, a student receives either a 'satisfactory' (S) or 'non-satisfactory' (N) result. If a student does not intend to proceed to tertiary education, a 'satisfactory' result is all that is required to graduate with the VCE. If a student does wish to study at a tertiary level then they will require an ATAR
. In order to gain an ATAR a student must satisfactorily complete three units of any subject in the English field (at least one English field subject is compulsory) and sixteen units in any other subjects.
). During Unit 1/2 all assessment is internal, whilst in Unit 3/4 assessment is conducted both internally and externally.
"School assessed coursework" (SACs) are the primary avenue of internal assessment, with assessment in every VCE study consisting of at least one SAC. SACs are tasks that are written by the school and must be done primarily in class time; they can include essays, reports, tests, and case studies. Some studies in the visual arts and technology areas are also assessed via "school assessed tasks" (SATs). SATs are generally practical tasks that are examined in school. Both SACs and SATs are scaled by VCAA
against external assessment; this is to eliminate any cheating or variances in task difficulty.
for Unit 3/4 studies. Midyear (June) examinations are held for all subjects in the Science field, as well as accounting. End of year (October/November) examinations are held for all studies.
Subjects in the LOTE field are also assessed in the form of oral examinations. Subjects in the Music field are assessed by a performance for a VCAA
panel of examiners as part of their external assessment. All performance based external assessment (Oral Examinations and Music Performances) are typically held in early October.
The GAT
is an essential part of VCE external assessment. It provides the basis of a quality assurance check on the marking of examinations. Any student who is enrolled in a VCE Unit 3/4 study is expected to sit the GAT.
and indicate a students performance in that subject relative to others.
Study scores are calculated according to a normal distribution, where the mean is 30 and the standard deviation is 7.
Scaling is the process that adjusts VCE study scores into ATAR subject scores. The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
adjusts all VCE study scores to equalise results between studies with stronger cohorts, and those with weaker ones. Contrary to common perception, scaling is not based on the difficulty of the subject, as each study score is in fact a ranking. The score adjustment ensures that in those subjects where it is easier to overtake the cohort, the score is adjusted downwards, while in those subjects where it is difficult to rank highly, it is moved upwards.
The following is a list of all VCE studies available:
There are also University Extension studies available for high-achieving students. These subjects are carried out through multiple universities, including Monash University, The University of Melbourne , and Swinburne University.
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
students who successfully complete high school level studies (Year 11 and 12 or equivalent) in the state of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Study for the VCE is usually completed over two years, but it can be spread over a longer period in some cases. It is possible to pass and obtain the VCE without completing the end of year exams. The VCE was established in 1987, replacing the earlier Higher School Certificate
Higher School Certificate (Victoria)
The Higher School Certificate, or HSC, was the credential awarded to secondary school students who successfully completed senior high school level studies in the state of Victoria, Australia. In 1987, there was trial of its successor, the Victorian Certificate of Education, and until 1992, it was...
(HSC).
Structure of the VCE
The Victorian Certificate of Education is generally taught in Year 11 and 12 of secondary college in Victoria, however some students commence their VCE studies in Year 10 or earlier if the school allows it.All VCE studies are organised into units (VCE subjects typically consist of four units; each unit covers one semester of study). Each unit comprises a set number of outcomes (usually two or three); an outcome describes the knowledge and skills that a student should demonstrate by the time the student has completed the unit. Subject choice depends on each individual school. Unit 3/4 of a subject must be studied in sequential order, whereas Unit 1/2 can be mixed and matched. Students are not required to complete all the units of a subject as part of the VCE course, meaning they are able to change subject choice between Year 11 and Year 12.
On completing a unit, a student receives either a 'satisfactory' (S) or 'non-satisfactory' (N) result. If a student does not intend to proceed to tertiary education, a 'satisfactory' result is all that is required to graduate with the VCE. If a student does wish to study at a tertiary level then they will require an ATAR
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank is the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate-entry university programs in Australia, it was gradually introduced during 2009 and 2010 to replace the Universities Admission Index, Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank and Tertiary Entrance...
. In order to gain an ATAR a student must satisfactorily complete three units of any subject in the English field (at least one English field subject is compulsory) and sixteen units in any other subjects.
Assessment
VCE studies are assessed both internally (in school) and externally (through VCAAVictorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority is a statutory authority of the Government of Victoria responsible for the provision of curriculum and assessment programs for students in Victoria, Australia...
). During Unit 1/2 all assessment is internal, whilst in Unit 3/4 assessment is conducted both internally and externally.
Internal Assessment
Internal assessment is conducted via "school assessed coursework" (SACs) and "school assessed tasks" (SATs)."School assessed coursework" (SACs) are the primary avenue of internal assessment, with assessment in every VCE study consisting of at least one SAC. SACs are tasks that are written by the school and must be done primarily in class time; they can include essays, reports, tests, and case studies. Some studies in the visual arts and technology areas are also assessed via "school assessed tasks" (SATs). SATs are generally practical tasks that are examined in school. Both SACs and SATs are scaled by VCAA
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority is a statutory authority of the Government of Victoria responsible for the provision of curriculum and assessment programs for students in Victoria, Australia...
against external assessment; this is to eliminate any cheating or variances in task difficulty.
External Assessment
External assessment is conducted in the form of examinations set by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment AuthorityVictorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority is a statutory authority of the Government of Victoria responsible for the provision of curriculum and assessment programs for students in Victoria, Australia...
for Unit 3/4 studies. Midyear (June) examinations are held for all subjects in the Science field, as well as accounting. End of year (October/November) examinations are held for all studies.
Subjects in the LOTE field are also assessed in the form of oral examinations. Subjects in the Music field are assessed by a performance for a VCAA
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority is a statutory authority of the Government of Victoria responsible for the provision of curriculum and assessment programs for students in Victoria, Australia...
panel of examiners as part of their external assessment. All performance based external assessment (Oral Examinations and Music Performances) are typically held in early October.
General Achievement Test (GAT)
The GAT
General Achievement Test
The General Achievement Test or GAT is a test of general knowledge and skills in written communication, mathematics, science and technology, humanities, the arts and social sciences taken by all Victorian students prior to completing their VCE....
is an essential part of VCE external assessment. It provides the basis of a quality assurance check on the marking of examinations. Any student who is enrolled in a VCE Unit 3/4 study is expected to sit the GAT.
Study scores
A student who satisfactorily completes Unit 3/4 of a VCE study is eligible for a study score of between 0 and 50. Study scores are calculated by VCAAVictorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority is a statutory authority of the Government of Victoria responsible for the provision of curriculum and assessment programs for students in Victoria, Australia...
and indicate a students performance in that subject relative to others.
Study scores are calculated according to a normal distribution, where the mean is 30 and the standard deviation is 7.
Scaling
Scaling is the process that adjusts VCE study scores into ATAR subject scores. The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre is the administrative body which processes applications for universities in the state of Victoria...
adjusts all VCE study scores to equalise results between studies with stronger cohorts, and those with weaker ones. Contrary to common perception, scaling is not based on the difficulty of the subject, as each study score is in fact a ranking. The score adjustment ensures that in those subjects where it is easier to overtake the cohort, the score is adjusted downwards, while in those subjects where it is difficult to rank highly, it is moved upwards.
VCE Studies
In total there are 129 VCE studies ranging across education fields including humanities, science, mathematics, technology, the arts and language as well as incorporating vocational studies.- A student must study an English subjectLanguage educationLanguage education is the teaching and learning of a foreign or second language. Language education is a branch of applied linguistics.- Need for language education :...
; with a choice between English, English (ESL), English Language or English Literature; Literature is regarded as the most difficult English subject. Approximately 75% of students study English, rather than the other three options. - MathematicsMathematics educationIn contemporary education, mathematics education is the practice of teaching and learning mathematics, along with the associated scholarly research....
. At Unit 1 and 2 level a student may study Foundation Mathematics, General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods (CAS). At Unit 3 and 4 a student may study Further Mathematics (practical application - data analysis and discrete mathematics), Mathematical Methods (CAS) (mainstream calculus based course) or Specialist Mathematics (advanced calculus based course). Specialist Mathematics requires concurrent or previous study of Mathematical Methods/Mathematical Methods (CAS) at the Unit 3 and 4 level.
The following is a list of all VCE studies available:
There are also University Extension studies available for high-achieving students. These subjects are carried out through multiple universities, including Monash University, The University of Melbourne , and Swinburne University.
See also
- Victorian Curriculum and Assessment AuthorityVictorian Curriculum and Assessment AuthorityThe Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority is a statutory authority of the Government of Victoria responsible for the provision of curriculum and assessment programs for students in Victoria, Australia...
- Department of Education, Victoria
- Victorian Tertiary Admissions CentreVictorian Tertiary Admissions CentreThe Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre is the administrative body which processes applications for universities in the state of Victoria...
- General Achievement TestGeneral Achievement TestThe General Achievement Test or GAT is a test of general knowledge and skills in written communication, mathematics, science and technology, humanities, the arts and social sciences taken by all Victorian students prior to completing their VCE....
- Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance RankEquivalent National Tertiary Entrance RankThe Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank was the national Australian tertiary entrance rank, administered by Universities Australia...
- Education in AustraliaEducation in AustraliaEducation in Australia is primarily the responsibility of the states and territories. Each state or territory government provides funding and regulates the public and private schools within its governing area. The federal government helps fund the public universities, but is not involved in setting...
- Senior Secondary Certificate of EducationSenior Secondary Certificate of EducationThe Senior Secondary Certificate of Education is the graduation certificate awarded to most students in Australian high schools, and is equivalent to the High School Diploma of North America and the A-Levels of the United Kingdom. Students completing the SSCE are usually aged 16 to 18 and study...
- University admission
External links
- Victorian Certificate of Education - information about the VCE.
- VCE Study Score Archive - List of high achieving VCE students from 1998 and 2000-2010