Careers Corner

It is that time of year again when Year 12 students are completing their final assessments, preparing for exams and making decisions about life after school. Students are also navigating VTAC applications, equity schemes, course preferences and, of course, looking forward to celebrating the end of their school journey!

VCE and tertiary applications can sometimes feel like a language of its own. VCE, VM, VCAA, VTAC, ATAR, SAC and VET are just some of the acronyms students encounter throughout Years 11 and 12.

So, what do they all mean? Here is a quick guide to some of the key terms.

VCE – Victorian Certificate of Education

• The certificate awarded to students in Victoria upon successful completion of Years 11 and 12

• Administered by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA)

VCE VM - Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major

• An applied learning program within the broader VCE

• Designed for students who want to develop practical skills for work and life

VTAC - Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre

• The central body that processes applications for tertiary study in Victoria

• VTAC calculates the ATAR, manages equity schemes applications, and facilitates course offers

ATAR - Australian Tertiary Admission Rank

• A rank between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student’s overall academic achievement relative to their peers

• Calculated by VTAC based on VCE study scores

• Used by universities and TAFEs to determine eligibility for courses

SAC - School-Assessed Coursework

• Tasks completed during the school year that contribute to a student’s study score

• Includes essays, reports, tests, and practical work

VET - Vocational Education and Training

• VCE subjects that provide practical skills and nationally recognised qualifications

Equity Schemes 

• A system that allows students to apply for special consideration if they have experienced educational disadvantage

• Equity schemes can increase a student’s selection rank to improve chances of receiving a course offer

Study Score

• A score out of 50 for each VCE subject

• Reflects a student’s performance relative to others in that subject

Selection Rank

• A combination of ATAR and any adjustments (like SEAS or subject bonuses)

• Used by institutions to decide who gets into competitive courses

While there may be plenty of acronyms to remember, the most important one for our students is perhaps “What is next?” and that is exactly what the Careers Department is here to help them explore.