Glossary

Frequently Used Terms in the VCE

ATAR 

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank. The method of ranking VCE students to allow comparability over all students who apply for tertiary entrance. The ATAR is expressed as a percentile.

Derived Examination Score

Provision to obtain an examination score for Unit 3 and 4 students who have missed an examination or whose examination performance has been impaired due to illness or other circumstances.

EAL

English as an Additional Language.

GAT

General Achievement Test. This is taken by all students enrolled for any Unit 3 and 4 sequence. It is used by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority as a measure of checking correct and fair assessment of school-based assessment for Learning Outcomes.

Higher Educational Studies Program 

Offered by higher education institutions and the VCAA. Subjects constitute the equivalent of at least 20% of a full-time first year university course. The study can contribute to the students ATAR as a fifth or sixth subject via an increment.

Learning Outcomes 

The basic work required of VCE students in each unit to demonstrate achievement of a unit. Each piece earns ‘S’ or ‘N’ for the completion of assessment tasks as set out in study designs and decides if a student has successfully completed a unit or not.

Prerequisite Units 

Units which a student must complete satisfactorily before entry to a later unit or course is possible.

‘S’ or ‘N’

Satisfactorily completing or not satisfactorily completing individual assessment tasks and whole units. Granting of the VCE Certificate depends on gaining ‘S’ for all Learning Outcomes in the appropriate Units.

Semester 

Half an academic year. The time allowed for the completion of a VCE unit.

Sequence of Units

Units to be taken in chronological pairs, usually referring to Units 3 and 4 of a study. Students have access to studies at three points; at the beginning of the first, second and third units.

Statement of Results

A cumulative statement reporting ‘S’ or ‘N’ for each unit enrolled in, as well as the GAT.

TAFE 

Technical and Further Education. There are many campuses offering non-degree courses after secondary education.

Tertiary Education

Study undertaken at University or TAFE College. This follows after the satisfactory completion of VCE.

Unit 

A half-year’s length work in a study representing 100 hours of work.

Units 1 and 2

Studies usually taken in Year 11 as the first half of a study.

Units 3 and 4 

Studies usually taken in Year 12 as the second half of a study.

VASS 

VCE Administrative Support System (computer database).

VCAA 

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. The body responsible for administering the VCE.

VCE Study 

Individual subject approved by VCAA and offered at school to students in Units 1-4.

VET

Vocational Educational and Training. A nationally recognised vocational subject within the VCE program. The subject is integrated within the VCE program.

VM

Vocational Major.

VTAC 

Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre. The body responsible for administering entry of students to tertiary institutions (TAFE Colleges and Universities).