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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many units should I choose each semester in the VCE?
Q. How many units should I choose each semester in the VCE?
A. You must choose 6 units in each semester - so 6 Unit 1 and 6 Unit 2 subjects (Year 11) and 5 Unit 3 and 4 subjects (Year 12).
Q. How many units should I choose in total for my VCE?
Q. How many units should I choose in total for my VCE?
A. Most full-time students attempt the range of 24 units over the two years or three years; the vast majority of these complete 22 units (12 in Year 11 and 10 in Year 12).
Q. What are the benefits of starting my VCE journey early?
Q. What are the benefits of starting my VCE journey early?
A. Doing a sixth Unit 3 & 4 subject would enable students to maintain a wider range of tertiary prerequisites and improve your Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank. At Cheltenham, we have high expectations of our students and encourage those who choose this pathway to maximise their ATAR.
Q. Can I change my VCE course for the second semester?
Q. Can I change my VCE course for the second semester?
A. Yes, for Unit 2. However, Units 3 & 4 must be done as a sequence and so can’t be changed halfway through.
Q. What if I am away on the day of SAC is due?
Q. What if I am away on the day of SAC is due?
A. SACs are like examinations. If you are absent then you must provide a medical certificate from a doctor. You should give this medical certificate to your Year Level Coordinator in order to obtain a rescheduled SAC date and to recieve a scored result.
Q. What does it mean if I decide not to do a SAC?
Q. What does it mean if I decide not to do a SAC?
A. You may still achieve an ‘S’ for VCE, but your Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranks [ATAR] score will be severely affected.
Q. What if I find I am having difficulty with my VCE work?
Q. What if I find I am having difficulty with my VCE work?
A. You would need to consult with your teacher firstly, then, if the problem still exists see your Year Level Coordinator, Mentor or Senior School Director.
Q. Can I repeat a Unit?
Q. Can I repeat a Unit?
A. Yes, you can do a Unit twice if you want to but you can only get credited once for your certificate. However, the College only recommends repeated Units in certain exceptional circumstances.
Q. What if I have an extended illness/absence and I miss a large section of the work?
Q. What if I have an extended illness/absence and I miss a large section of the work?
A. You will need to consult with the Year Level Coordinator and Senior School Director and your options will be outlined for you. In Year 12 you may apply for Interrupted Studies Status.
Q. What if I move schools during VCE?
Q. What if I move schools during VCE?
A. You will obtain credit for work completed so far. Your results up to date will be sent to the new school.
Q. Does VET in school count towards my VCE score?
Q. Does VET in school count towards my VCE score?
A. Yes, VET contributes to the ATAR as a stand-alone study like any other VCE subject. It may be counted as a fifth or sixth subject and score 10% of the average of the best of four studies where there is no exam for the VCE/VET Study. To investigate your options read subject descriptors.
Requirements for Completing VCE
Requirements for Completing VCE
The VCE is conducted over at least two or three years and at Cheltenham Secondary College you should include choices from a wide variety of subject areas in order to gain the necessary background for subject choice in Year 12. At the same time, you should ensure that you have the necessary prerequisites for tertiary entrance or your chosen pathway.
Units 1 & 2, which are normally done during Year 11, can be taken as individual units. Some Year 10 students will have the opportunity to undertake ONE Unit 1 & 2 subject.
Units 3 & 4, which are normally done during Year 12, must be taken as a pair. Some Year 11 students are encouraged to undertake ONE Unit 3 & 4 subject.
Most students will attempt at least 22 units in their VCE. At Cheltenham Secondary College, students must include the following in their VCE program:
English/EAL Units 1 and 2, plus English/EAL Units 3 and 4.
At least twelve 1 & 2 Units.
At least ten 3 & 4 Units (exceptions to this may be granted to students studying a language outside of the school). To be awarded the Victorian Certificate of Education, a student must satisfactorily complete at least 16 units in total. These units must include:
At least three units of English/EAL/Literature. Please note – In order to obtain an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) students must pass Units 3 & 4 English, Units 3 & 4 English Language or Units 3 & 4 Literature.
At least three pairs of Units 3 and 4 of studies other than English.
At Cheltenham Secondary College we encourage students to study a sixth Unit 3 and 4 subject to maintain a wider range of tertiary prerequisites and to improve their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR). They are offered the opportunity to study a Unit 3 & 4 subject during Year 11, but would need to show high achievement and well developed study habits to be considered for this option.
VET in Schools (Vocational Education Training) programs will contribute Unit 1-4 sequences towards the completion of the VCE and some subjects may contribute towards students scored assessment.
VET subjects to contribute to the Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranks ATAR as a fifth or sixth subject and score 10% of the average of the best four subjects except for those VET subjects with a scored assessment which contribute in the same way as other VCE units.
Satisfactory Completion of VCE Units
Satisfactory Completion of VCE Units
Units 1 & 2 can be completed as single units but Units 3 & 4 MUST be taken as a sequence.
Each VCE unit includes a set of two to four outcomes. The award of satisfactory completion of a unit is based on a decision that the student has demonstrated achievement of all outcomes. This decision will depend on the teacher’s assessment of the student’s performance on coursework and assessment tasks designated for the unit.
Satisfactory completion of units is determined by the school, in accordance with the VCAA’s requirements, which include minimum attendance requirements.
For each study, students’ levels of achievement for Units 3 & 4 sequences will be assessed using school-based assessment and external examinations.
Each study will have three assessment components, either one school assessment and two examinations or two school assessments and one examination.
These assessments will be reported as grades A+ to E or UG. A student’s grades are included on the statement of results and are used to calculate the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) score.
Tertiary Course and Prerequisite Studies
Tertiary Course and Prerequisite Studies
To be eligible for entry into a tertiary institution, students will need to have satisfactorily completed the VCE, including Unit 3 & 4 of English.
Many tertiary courses have prerequisite studies that students must satisfactorily complete in their VCE in order to be considered for those courses. Usually, these prerequisite studies are to be taken at Unit 3 & 4 level. It is most important that students investigate the specific course requirements for each tertiary course that they may wish to apply for at the end of Year 12 and are aware of any prerequisite 3 & 4 Units to be completed.
Information on tertiary courses and scoring can be found in the “Tertiary Entrance Requirements” booklet which is available in the Careers Office. Tertiary course and career information is also available from OZJAC computer program located in the Careers Office.
Common Acronyms
Common Acronyms
ATAR: Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank
DEECD: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
DES: Derived Examination Score
GAT: General Achievement Test – compulsory for ALL students doing Unit 3 &4
SAC: School Assessed Coursework
SAT: School Assessed Task
VCAA: Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
VCE: Victorian Certificate of Education
VCE VM: Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major
VET: Vocational Education and Training
VTAC: Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
Entrance to most tertiary institutions will be based on the results that students achieve in their best 4 (Four) Unit 3 & 4 studies (including English or Literature) with an additional 10% of the score of the 5th or 6th Unit 3/4 study/VET Units.
In order to maximise their Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranks [ATAR], each student who intends to apply for a tertiary course is advised to take at least 5 pairs of 3/4 level Units (including English and Literature) in Year 12.
Useful Websites
Useful Websites
A comprehensive VCE program is run at Cheltenham Secondary College under the guidelines provided by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/
VTAC Guide
“The ABC of Scaling”
Scaling Report
VICTER Report
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