Glossary of Terms

• Units 1&2 

Units within a VCE study designed to approximate the Year 11 level of difficulty.

• Units 3&4 

Units within a VCE study designed to approximate the Year 12 level of difficulty

• Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)

The overall ranking on a scale of 0.00 to 99.95 based on study scores. Calculated by VTAC and used by tertiary institutions to select students for their courses.

The ATAR is developed from an aggregate produced by adding:

• VTAC scaled study score in one of English, English Language, Literature or English as an Additional Language (EAL)

• The next best three VTAC scaled study scores permissible; and

• 10% of the fifth and sixth permissible scores that are available.

• Authentication 

The process followed by both teachers and students in order to confirm that the work has been genuinely undertaken by the student. VCAA has produced detailed guidelines outlining how this is to be achieved and includes the teacher sighting drafts of students work at various stages, students documenting the development of the work and students attending all classes.

• Department of Education and Training (DET)

The Victorian Government department that administers school education, apprenticeships and traineeships.

• General Achievement Test (GAT) 

Completed by all students studying a VCE or VCE VM Unit 3 and 4 study or a scored VCE VET Unit 3 and 4 study.

• Outcomes  

What students are expected to know and be able to do by the time they have finished a VCE or VCE VM unit.

• Pathways  

The different vocational directions and options that students may take as they move through the broad area of education and training. 

• Prerequisites

Units that must be passed and included for entry into certain TAFE and Tertiary courses.

• Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

An approved provider of VET qualifications.

• Satisfactory (S) 

A student has achieved the outcome for the unit. If a student

does not satisfactorily complete the unit, they will receive an N (not satisfactory).

• School-Assessed Coursework (SAC)

Used to assess a student’s level of achievement. Tasks are selected by the school from the designated Study Design.

• Study Design

Curriculum design that involves planning, activities, readings, lessons and assessments that achieve educational goals in a certain discipline.