All Year 12 students who require an aggregate score and percentile ranking for tertiary entrance must sit for the ACT Scaling Test. The ACT Scaling Test is used to scale the students’ course scores including the best three tertiary majors and 0.6 of the next best tertiary course score and these are combined to form the students’ Aggregate Scores. The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a percentile ranking calculated from the Aggregate Scores. Since individual and college results depend on the students’ performance in the AST, students are expected to attend every AST practice and preparation
The award of Status must be seen as a last and sparingly used option. Status can only be awarded when students have made significant effort to engage with the learning goals of each unit of study and made an attempt to complete some assessment. Status can only be applied for in exceptional circumstances and must be supported by medical evidence and an ongoing support plan negotiated with Student Services. Additionally, Status can only be applied to some courses. The BSSS requires this documented evidence for a school to award Status.
A Variation to Assessment (V to A) at Canberra College is a formal process that ensures students experiencing disadvantage due to disability, illness, or misadventure can fairly demonstrate their learning in summative assessments, in line with BSSS equitable assessment principles. It documents approved adjustments—such as extra time, alternative formats, or modified conditions—without altering the academic standards, and is required whenever assessment conditions are changed (distinct from everyday classroom differentiation). Students must reapply each semester through Student Services, providing supporting documentation and completing an assessment planner; applications are reviewed by a central committee to ensure consistency and fairness. Once approved, teachers are responsible for implementing the adjustments, while students must maintain communication and provide evidence, and Student Services coordinates, documents, and supports the process to maximise student success and independence.