Learning & Teaching News

The General Achievement Test (GAT)

Two weeks ago, over 350 students, who are currently completing a VCE Unit 3/4 subject or Senior VCE Vocational Major across both Campuses, sat a practice GAT. This was to give them an insight into what will be expected of them when they sit the actual GAT on Thursday 15 June.  Students were also given solutions and asked to assess their work to encourage them to engage with the paper and better prepare them. 

Our emphasis on preparing students for the GAT is because of the recent change to its format and increased importance placed on this assessment. There are several reasons it is essential for students to approach the GAT with the same demeanour that they will apply to their SACs and Exams:

1. The GAT allows a Derived Examination Score to be calculated for a student who misses an exam because of sickness for example.
2. The GAT ensures that VCE Unit 3/4 end of year exams and school-based assessment (SACs) have been accurately and fairly assessed. Raw SAC scores and lower than expected examination scores can be adjusted based on a higher performance in the GAT.
3. Some universities are using the GAT to help determine if they offer students a place if their ATAR is too low for normal entry.
4. Student literacy and numeracy skills are assessed against new standards in reading, writing and numeracy introduced into Part A of the GAT. The GAT Statement of Results mailed to students indicates if the student has met the standard, not met the standard, or met the standard and demonstrated a level of excellence. Employers may seek evidence of students being at standard in literacy and numeracy.

Mid-Year Exams 

Years 10 – 12 mid-year exams are fast approaching. Students have been sent their timetables. 

                Year 10 Exams: Tuesday 30 May – Friday 2 June

                Year 11 Exams: Friday 2 June – Wednesday 7 June

                Year 12 Practice Exams: Monday 5 June - Thursday 8 June               

Study Tips:

1. Create a Study timetable: plan your revision by creating a study timetable. Break down your subjects into topics and manageable chunks. Allocate time slots for each.
2. Practice Active Learning: Summarise information in your own words, teach concepts to someone else, create flashcards and handwrite answers to practice questions.
3. Use Visual Aids: Create diagrams, mind maps, flowcharts and tables to help learn complex concepts.
4. Breaks and rewards: Take regular breaks – 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off. Reward yourself after completing a specific study goal.
5. Practice Past Papers and correct them: this can give you an idea of the format and types of questions. Use the solutions to add to your existing knowledge and to help guide you to formulate correct responses. 

As part of maximising the resources that are available to our students, the Year 12 students have and will be taking part in an Edrolo session run by the Edrolo staff to help our students understand how to use this platform to improve their study skills, classroom practice and revision techniques. 

Mr David Hansen  Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching               

MsCarolyn Ellul - Senior Years Curriculum Leader (ClydeNorth)