External Examinations
VCE Unit 3 and 4 Examinations
VCE Unit 3 and 4 examinations are externally assessed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and form a key component of the requirements for the award of the VCE. They contribute to final study scores and ATAR outcomes and are designed to assess student performance against common statewide standards.
Preparation for VCE Examinations
Trial examinations for all Unit 3 and 4 subjects are held in the last week of the September holidays.
All students studying a Unit 3 and 4 subject are expected to complete trial examinations. Only students with obtained pre-approval in writing from the Head of Senior School can be absent from trial examinations.
Any student missing the trial exam period will be provided with a practice paper and may undertake the paper for their own learning, however there is no guarantee feedback from their subject teacher will be provided prior to the VCAA examination.
Year 11 Students Studying a Unit 3 and 4 Subject
There is likely to be an overlap between the Year 11 Semester 2 examination period and VCAA examinations in November. If there is a clash with the Year 11 and 12 examinations, then the Year 11 examination will be rescheduled. Students are asked to note any clashes and alert the Year Level Leader and VCE Coordinator immediately to arrange a reschedule of the Year 11 examination.
A Year 11 student may use the day prior to their Unit 3 and 4 examination, as a study day with the exception of exams scheduled for a Monday as the weekend is deemed adequate preparation for the exam.
Students are responsible for notifying their classroom teacher of their impending absence.
Absence From a VCE Examination
VCAA requires students to attend all their scheduled examinations. Specific circumstances may allow for a Special Examination Arrangement application to assist students to complete their examination. These applications are completed close to the relevant examination date.
VCAA does not expect students to attend an examination against medical advice. Specific VCAA administration documents must be completed by a medical professional.
Students may be advised to complete a Derived Examination Score application.
Special Examination Arrangement applications and Derived Examination Score applications require specific medical professionals or specific persons to complete detailed VCAA proforma.
Students must immediately notify the VCE Coordinator if they are unable to attend an examination.
Derived Examination Score
A Derived Examination Score is available for end-of-year external Unit 3 and 4 examinations, for students who can demonstrate that their performance in the examination(s) was significantly affected by illness, personal trauma, or other circumstances.
These circumstances must affect the student at the examination(s) or in the period immediately before an examination.
Application forms must be sent by the school to the VCAA, and they will determine eligibility. Forms are due to the VCAA within 7 days of the final examination.
Students cannot submit an application on the basis of:
absence from school or study for prolonged periods
unfamiliarity with the English language
long-term loss of examination preparation time
teacher absence or other teacher related difficulties
conditions that have been present for the entire year
matters that could have avoided, e.g., misreading the examination timetable or instructions, or matters of your own choosing such as involvement in social events, sporting activities
the same grounds for which students have received Special Examination Arrangements unless they have experienced additional difficulties during the examination.
This applies to all examinations - written, oral and performance.
The GAT
The GAT, or General Achievement Test, is run by the VCAA for all students studying a Unit 3 and 4 subject. On examination day, approximately 85,000 students will sit the GAT across the State.
The purpose of the GAT is to allow the VCAA to measure a student's performance against their ability. GAT results will be used to check that VCE external assessments and school-based assessments have been accurately and fairly assessed. If a student does well in the GAT, they are likely to do well in their other assessments.
The GAT will provide specific information on each student’s key skills for life beyond school and 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.
Past study of subjects like English, Mathematics, Science and History prepares students for the GAT by building their general knowledge and skills in writing, numeracy, and reasoning.
No special study is required.
Students will be able to judge how they performed on the GAT relative to other students in the State. In some subjects it may be used to assist in the statistical moderation process. Students will be able to show their GAT statement of results to employers, which will indicate whether they have met the literacy and numeracy standards. The GAT Statement of Results will include standardised GAT scores reported on a scale of 0-50, with an average (mean) of 30. This information will be included with your final results and certificates in December, but the scores per se do not count for tertiary selection.
All students undertaking the GAT will receive a statement indicating if they have met National Literacy and Numeracy standards.
For students who are granted a DES (Derived Examination Score) the GAT will play an important part in the determination of the score.
Students will be given practice questions prior to the GAT date.
Who is required to sit the GAT?
Sections A & B:
Students enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3–4 sequence, including students not planning to undertake scored assessment
Section A only:
Students enrolled in one or more VCE Vocational Major (VM) Unit 3–4 sequence but who are not enrolled in any VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3–4 sequences
