6. Victorian Certificate of Education
VCE at St Mary's College
St Mary's College offers a broad range of VCE studies (subjects). The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) administers the VCE, recording all results for students over the course of their VCE program over the two years and issuing Study Scores and Certificates at the end of Year 12.
Requirements of the VCE
Each VCE or VCE VET Study consists of four semester-length units. Each unit has a duration of one semester, with Unit 1 and Unit 2 usually undertaken in Year 11, and Units 3 and 4 (known as a sequence), usually studied in Year 12. Two combined units are known as a sequence which must be completed together within the same year. All Units contribute to the completion of the VCE, but only the Unit 3 and 4 studies are assigned a Study Score.
At the completion of VCE, students sit VCAA examinations which cover the content from the Unit 3 and 4 sequence. These are independently assessed and are completed in November. The results of these examinations contribute to the student’s Study Scores. The Study Scores from each subject are used to calculate the ATAR.
An explanation of Study Scores video is available: here.
Minimum Requirements
Students are awarded a VCE Certificate based on gaining a Satisfactory (S) completion for at least 16 Units. At St Mary's College, students must choose 13 Units in Year 11, and 10 Units in Year 12.
To achieve a VCE certificate you must:
- Satisfactorily complete (gain an S) for at least 3 Units from the group of English Studies, which must include a Unit 3 and 4 sequence of either English, EAL, English Language or Literature.
- PLUS at least three other sequences of Units 3 and 4 studies other than your English study (you may take more than one of the Unit 3 and 4 English studies).
- Maintain a minimum attendance rate of 80%.
- Aim for a minimum pass rate of 60% in all assessment tasks, SACs and SATs.
Study Score
In addition, students can receive a Study Score for each Unit 3 and 4 study which they have satisfactorily completed. A student receiving a minimum of 4 Study Scores, one of which must be English, (up to 6 scores can count in the ATAR) is eligible to receive an ATAR from VTAC. The ATAR is used by some Universities to select students into tertiary courses.
Acceleration in VCE Units 3 and 4
Year 11 students may wish to undertake an Unit 3 and 4 sequence to have six subjects to contribute to their ATAR. Students must apply to be considered for acceleration and the decision is based on previous results and commitment to study.
Students who consider applying will have:
- Completed Unit 1 and 2 in Year 10
Student must have obtained a ‘Satisfactory’ result for Units 1&2 and meet the criteria listed below.
- Unit 1 and 2 not completed in Year 10
Student may apply to undertake a Unit 3/4 sequence if they did not complete Units 1&2 in Year 10 if they meet the criteria listed below.
Criteria of approval for acceleration:
- Exceptional circumstances may be considered on application
- Not all subjects are appropriate for acceleration
- Students will need to demonstrate the necessary academic ability and rigour
- 80% (A) in English
- 80% (A) in at least two other subjects including the subject wanting to be accelerated
- Acceptable SPI levels
- Application will only be approved if the accelerated subject does not clash with other mandatory subjects
Recommended subjects for acceleration:
- General Mathematics
- Data Analytics
- Business Management
- Health and Human Development
- Legal Studies
- Physical Education
Acceleration in the following subject will require students to undertake additional prescribed preparation:
- Biology
- Psychology
It is not recommended that Unit 3/4 of the following subjects be attempted without having successfully completed Unit 1 and 2:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematical Methods
Year 12 students who have completed Units 1&2 of a subject will have preference in a Unit 3/4 sequence of any subject.
It should be noted that undertaking an acceleration in Year 11 of an Unit 3/4 sequence does not entitle the student to a ‘lighter’ load in Year 12 unless there are extenuating circumstances.