Glossary

Assessment Task

Graded activities within Units such as, sitting a 1.5 hour test, writing an essay, producing a folio of work or a research report. A student’s performance on the Assessment Tasks contributes towards their final marks (for Year 10 and 11 subjects) or study score (for Year 12 subjects).

ATAR

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (previously ENTER in Victoria): This is calculated by the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC) as a score out of 99.95 based on a student's results for their best four subjects (including a subject from the English group), plus 10% of their fifth and sixth Unit 3–4 studies. It is used as the basis for tertiary entrance.

Authentication

Students must be able to demonstrate that the work they submit for assessment is their own. Teachers must be able to authenticate work submitted.

Cost

The cost of a particular Unit/subject. This cost is typically for consumables and/or excursions. These costs are indicative and may vary.

DLA

Designated Learning Activity. Tasks set by the class teacher, undertaken by students either individually or in groups, in class or at home, which are designed to help the student improve their knowledge and skills. All Learning Activities set by the teacher must be completed.

GAT

General Achievement Test. All VCE and VET students undertaking a Unit 3–4 study are required to complete the GAT in June. GAT results are reported with the VCE results in December.

Learning Outcomes

What a student must know, or be able to do, to satisfactorily complete, or pass, a Unit. Determination of satisfactory completion of Learning Outcomes is achieved through Learning Activities (also referred to as Designated Learning Activities or DLAs). Teacher’s may also use performance on Assessment Tasks to determine satisfactory completion of Learning Outcomes.

Prerequisite Studies

Those studies, nominated by individual tertiary course authorities, which must be satisfactorily completed by applicants seeking admission. Applicants who have not passed these subjects will not be considered for selection. Most courses offer a choice from a list. Students should check these requirements carefully. (See the Careers Adviser and/or course counsellors).

Satisfactory Completion

Satisfactory Completion means that a student has satisfactorily achieved all the Learning Outcomes for that Unit and met the 80% attendance requirement. The teacher’s decision as to whether a student has achieved the relevant Learning Outcomes, or not, is based on satisfactory completion of Designated Learning Activities (or performance on Assessment Tasks). A student can only demonstrate achievement of an outcomes if the work submitted for assessment meets the required standard, as described in the outcomes, was submitted on time and is clearly the student’s own work.

School-assessed Coursework (SAC)

The student’s level of achievement for Units 3 and 4 will be determined by School-assessed Coursework. This work is mainly undertaken within the class and contributes to their ATAR. The types and range of forms of School-assessed Coursework for the outcomes are prescribed within the relevant Study Design.

School-assessed Task (SAT)

An extended task, of a practical nature, undertaken by all VCE students doing some studies. Used to establish how the student is performing in these Units 3–4.

Semester

Approximately half a year: each semester covers approximately two terms. At Castlemaine Secondary College, Semester One runs from the start of the year up to two weeks before the midyear break. Semester 2 then starts 2-3 weeks before the mid-year break up until the end of the school year.

Sequence

Two Units at level 3 and 4 in the same Study (e.g.: English 3 and 4).

Study

A subject. Most VCE Studies are made up of 4 units.

Study Score

A score from 0 to 50 which shows you how you performed in a Study, relative to all other students doing the same Study. It is based on your results in School Assessed Coursework (SACs), School Assessed Tasks (SATs) and external examinations.

Unit

A self-contained course of a semester's length.

Units 1 and 2

The first 2 units of a study. Level of difficulty usually associated with Year 11.

Units 3 and 4

Must be done as a sequence. Usually associated with Year 12.

VCAA

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

VCE

Victorian Certificate of Education.

VCE VM

Victorian Certificate of Education: Vocational Major.

VCE

Victorian Pathways Certificate.

VET

Vocational Education and Training – Certificate courses which also count towards the completion of VCE.

VTAC

Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre – the organisation which processes applications to most courses in tertiary colleges and universities.