What is the General Achievement Test (GAT)

All students enrolled in one or more Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Unit 3−4 sequences or VCE VET scored Unit 3−4 sequences, including Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) students, are expected to sit the General Achievement Test (GAT). 

The GAT is an essential part of the VCE assessment procedure. Although GAT results do not count directly towards VCE results, they play an important role in checking that School-based Assessments and external assessments have been accurately assessed. GAT results are used in the calculation of the Derived Examination Score (DES).

The VCAA will apply statistical moderation procedures to School-based Assessment scores to ensure that they are comparable across the state and fair to all students. The statistical moderation process compares the level and spread of each school’s assessments of its students in each study with the level and spread of the same students’ scores in the external assessment, and adjusts the school scores, if necessary. In some studies, GAT scores will also be used for statistical moderation. This will be done only if it provides a better match with School-based Assessments throughout the state. The external assessment scores will always have the major influence in the statistical moderation calculations. 

 The GAT is used as part of a final check on external assessment scores. If the final score for an external assessment is significantly different from the score predicted by the GAT, school indicative grades and any other external assessment final scores for the study, the external assessment will be assessed again by the chief assessor. Scores may go up or stay the same, but will not go down as a result of this final check

The calculation for the DES (Derived Exam Score) uses all available scores for the student in the affected study and the indicative grade for any external assessments provided by the school and the GAT component scores. For each approved application for a specific external assessment, the VCAA will calculate a range of possible DES scores, which will be calculated statistically from the student’s other assessments, including: 

• moderated School-based Assessments 

• GAT component scores 

• other external assessment scores, if applicable 

• indicative grades provided by the school. 

The contribution made by the graded assessments, the indicative grade and the GAT component scores is determined by analysis of the comparison data with the final score for the specific external assessments for all students who have not applied for a DES. For all external assessments, the two graded internal assessment scores provide the greatest contribution to all the predictors. VCE and VCAL.  If a student is eligible for a DES and the highest of the predictors is greater than the achieved external assessment score, the highest predictor is chosen as the final score for the student in the relevant external assessment.

It is important for all students with an enrolment in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3–4 sequences to attempt the GAT.  A student may be deemed eligible for an exemption from the GAT if they:

 • have a vision or other impairment for which arrangements cannot reasonably be made, given the format of the GAT (Special Examination Arrangements for the GAT can be provided for students with a hearing impairment) 

• are prevented from sitting the GAT by injury, illness, personal trauma or a serious intervening event 

• are employed and cannot be absent from work (evidence from their employer is required). A personal trauma may include, but is not limited to, the death or serious illness of, or an accident involving, a family member. A serious intervening event may include: 

• an accident before or on the day of the GAT 

• attendance at a funeral of a family member or other person of close relationship 

• attendance at a legal proceeding. 

Applications on the basis of an injury, an illness, a personal trauma or a serious intervening event require an appropriate independent professional to complete Section B or C of the relevant application form. Note: An application for an exemption from the GAT cannot be submitted solely on the basis of: 

• a student requiring Special Examination Arrangements 

• a student not completing any graded assessment 

• Interrupted Studies status or Compassionate Late Withdrawal 

• a student being interstate or overseas at the time of the GAT. 

A request for an exemption from the GAT on the grounds of requiring Special Examination Arrangements will be refused unless the necessary arrangements exceed those normally offered for the GAT. Students who experience the onset of an illness, the exacerbation of an existing condition or the occurrence of an injury or personal trauma in the period before or on the day of the GAT should discuss with their VCE coordinator a school application for Emergency Special Examination Arrangements, which may assist them to sit the GAT. Students not completing any graded assessments Students not completing any graded assessments associated with VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3–4 sequences are expected to sit the GAT and will not be granted an exemption on those grounds