VCE Structure and Assessment

The VCE Structure

The VCE is designed to provide a comprehensive curriculum while providing opportunity for choice and for developing a specialist emphasis. Students should commit themselves to a two-year program, but it is possible to change direction at the end of Unit 1 and at the end of Unit 2. The second year is less flexible than the first because students must satisfactorily complete at least three pairs of Units 3 and 4 as well as studies in English.

How many Units?

The VCE is a two-year course. Most students will complete 20 units over two years. Students will enrol in at least 10 units during Year 11 and at least 10 units in Year 12. At Macleod College it is an enrolment requirement that students attempt five pairs of Unit 3 and 4 studies, including an English, during their Year 12 year. Some students may choose to undertake an additional study in a LOTE through the School of Distance Education or the Victorian School of Languages (VSL) e.g. Chinese, Korean, Macedonian (many languages possible).

Assessment in VCE

Assessment of Units 3 and 4

• For each study, students’ levels of achievement for Units 3 and 4 sequences will be assessed using school-based assessment and external examinations.
• Each study will have a number of assessment components, including school-based assessment tasks and at least one examination – please refer to the relevant study design for more detail.

VCE study score

• The VCE study score will be derived from the sum of the student’s performances in all school assessed coursework and external examinations.
• In addition, students will receive separate from their VCE results, an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) from the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) which will be used for tertiary selection. The Tertiary Entrance Rank is designed specifically for use by tertiary institutions for selection into theirfaculties.

There will be an opportunity for Year 11 students, with teacher approval, to undertake a Unit 3/4 study. Whilst there are some restrictions in terms of choice of studies, those students wishing to maximise their ATAR scores should seriously consider undertaking a Unit 3/4 study in Year 11. However, students will still need to enrol in five pairs of Unit 3 and 4 studies, including English, during their Year 12 year.

The GAT

In 2023 there was a transition of the VCE and VCE VM to a new integrated senior secondary certificate. As part of the reform of the VCE and VCAL system, Victorian senior secondary students will have their literacy and numeracy skills measured against new standards in a reformed GAT.

The new standards will indicate whether students have demonstrated the literacy and numeracy skills typically expected of someone completing their secondary schooling – giving another indication of their readiness to move onto further education, training or employment.

The reformed GAT follows a comprehensive review conducted by the VCAA. It will see Victoria join other jurisdictions who already incorporate literacy and numeracy standards as part of their senior secondary reporting. The GAT will provide specific information on each student's key skills for life beyond school.

The GAT will be split into two sections:

• Section A will assess literacy and numeracy skills
• Section B will assess skills in mathematics, science, technology, the arts and humanities with an increased focus on critical and creative thinking skills.

All students enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3 – 4 sequence will be required to sit Sections A and B. Year 12 VCAL (2025) students and Year 12 VCE VM (2025) students will sit Section A.

Statistical Moderation

Statistical Moderation is a process for adjusting schools’ assessments to the same standard, while maintaining the students’ rank order by the individual school. VCAA will use it to ensure that the coursework assessments given by different schools are comparable throughout the State.

VCAA will use the examination scores in each study as the basis for statistical moderation of schools’ assessments. The VCE assessment program includes the GAT in studies, where in doing so, a better match with schools’ assessments throughout the State is achieved.

In moderating schools’ assessments in each study, VCAA will:

• identify the moderation group for each study at each school
• form an external score for each student doing the study
• use the external scores of the moderation group to adjust the school coursework scores for the group

NB:-Students should be aware that school given scores are subject to statistical moderation and are thus likely to change.

English Requirements

Regardless of a student’s enrolment type, English units may be selected from English Units 1 to 4, English (EAL) Units 3 & 4, English Language Units 1 to 4 and Literature Units 1 to 4.

No more than two units at Unit 1 & 2 level selected from English Units 1 & 2, English Language Units 1 & 2, Foundation English Units 1 & 2 and Literature Units 1 & 2 may count towards the English requirement.

Students may not obtain credit for both English Units 3 & 4 and English (EAL) Units 3 & 4.

Units from the English group may also contribute to the sequences other than English requirement. In calculating whether students meet the minimum requirements for the award of the VCE, the VCAA first calculates the student’s English units.

Once students have either met the English requirements that relates to their enrolment type, or have satisfied an English sequence, any additional sequences from the English group will be credited towards the sequences other than English requirement.

The following table provides examples of how English requirements will apply (the requirements for students who are adults and have interstate or overseas credit or have achieved their Intermediate or Senior VCAL are not listed).

Note: All possible combinations of units from the English group have not been listed on this table.

Students are reminded that when undertaking VCE VM Literacy Skills Reading & Writing Units, they may obtain a credit towards one unit only at Unit 1 & 2 English, provided they have met the specified outcomes for that unit.

If students wish to obtain a study score at Units 3 & 4 level (required for an ATAR score), then they must complete two units at Unit 3 & 4 level from the English group. Students must consult with the VCE VM Coordinator and Senior School Team Leader regarding these choices.

VTAC advises that for the calculation of a student’s ATAR, satisfactory completion of both Unit 3 and 4  of an English sequence is required. Details on minimum tertiary entrance requirements and ATAR eligibility requirements are available from VTAC at www.vtac.edu.au.

TAFE Accreditation - VCAA and the State Training Board have developed formal arrangements where specific combinations of VCE units provide considerable credit towards TAFE Advanced Certificate Courses. These credits make it possible to complete some TAFE courses in a shorter period of time.