VCE Units 3 & 4

Assessment:

Students attempting any Unit 3 or 4 subject will be assessed in three formats: SACs, SATs and exams.


School Assessed Coursework (SAC): 

School Assessed Coursework is used to differentiate between students’ abilities and helps, in conjunction with exams, to determine the ATAR which is the score used for entrance into University or TAFE. Satisfactory completion of all units is based upon mastery of the prescribed outcomes for each study. These outcomes are judged via assessment tasks as ‘S’ if the student has demonstrated an understanding or ‘N’ if the student has not demonstrated an understanding. 


School Assessed Tasks (SAT): 

Performance on each task will be indicated by a numerical grade with UG representing a fail, and NA indicating that the work was not assessed. Students are expected to complete all set work. 


External VCAA Examinations:

 Exams are held for all studies at the end of Unit 4.


Changing Subjects:

Students will be advised by classroom teachers of all due dates well in advance. In order to successfully complete the VCE, a student must pass 16 units including:



Students in Year 12 are advised not to change subjects because of criteria (ii) above and must consult with the Leading Teacher of Pathways leader if they are concerned with their program. 


Homework: 

Students in Year 12 can expect homework in all units they are attempting. The study designs published each year by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) emphasise that part of the workload for each study needs to be undertaken at home. As a result, teachers will usually provide students with approximately 30 minutes of homework per night which equates to 2- 3 hours per evening. This may vary at certain stages throughout the year as assessment deadlines and examinations approach. 


Home study: 

is different to homework. Home study will need to be undertaken throughout the year in order for students to revise class work. It is vital that students develop a routine of regular home study in order to maximise performance in tests and exams. Home study should be treated as a separate entity to homework. Students should devote at least one hour to home study each night. 


Notice of SAC: 

It is an expectation at all year levels that students will be given a copy of the form “Notice of an assessment task” to inform them about upcoming SACs. Students will be given this form at least 5 school days prior to the SAC. Students in Units 1 and 2 will be informed by the teacher. Notice of an assessment task form is optional for Units 1 and 2. 


Units 3 and 4 feedback SAC Assessment: 

Students will receive an Assessment Advice Slip attached to the work. Teachers may indicate to the student the level of achievement by using the scale of percentages below. Alternatively, teachers may allocate a specific percentage to indicate the SAC performance. Students have to receive a minimum level of achievement of 50% to gain a S (Satisfactory) for a SAC. 


Areas of Assessment (Grades) Letter grades are given for the quality of work on a range of assessment tasks, assessed against specific criteria. Grade Percentage Range Grade Percentage Range 

A+   90 – 100%

A     80 – 89%

B+   77 – 79%

B     70 – 76% 

C+   67 – 69%

C     60 – 66%

D+   57 – 59% 

D     50 – 56% 

E+   47 – 49% 

E     40 – 46% 

UG < 39% Submitted work does not meet the set criteria. 


UG means "ungraded"

NA means “Not Assessed” because the student did not submit the work. 


*S will be awarded to students who have successfully met the task after a redemption or submitted the work in late.


SACS and absence Units 3/4: 

When a student misses a SAC in Units 3 and 4 they will have a Compass chronicle recorded which will send an email to the student and parent informing them of the absence. 

A medical certificate will need to be submitted to reception in person or via the school email within one week. 

Teachers may use informative tasks, a practice SAC or a redemption tasks to decide if they will receive a ‘S’ for the semester. However, students will not receive a score for that SAC if a medical certificate is not submitted. It is important that students complete all classwork or practice tasks as these may be used in deciding whether a student receives a ‘S’ or a ‘N’ for a unit of study. A student will receive a ‘N’ for a Unit 3 and 4 unless: 


SACs and absence: 

When a student misses a SAC in Units 3 and 4 they will have a Compass chronicle recorded which will send an email to the student and parent informing them of the absence.  A medical certificate will need to be submitted to reception in person or via the school email within one week.


Completion of missed SAC 

Students will be required to complete the missed SACs in the next scheduled class they are in attendance for, or at another time negotiated with the classroom teacher. This should be clearly communicated to parents/carers and students.


Evidence of Medical Absence 

Reception staff will collect medical certificates. Admin support will email the classroom teacher notifying if a medical certificate has been provided. 


Rescheduling an assessment task when a SAC is missed 

The assessment task must be completed as soon as possible upon return to school. No further extension will be given. Students should not assume the reason for absence will be accepted. Students need to check with their Student Manager & Leading Teacher of Student Engagement if they know in advance that they will miss an assessment task. Any set assessment task that may clash with organised school activities (e.g. Sport, music) should be negotiated with the subject teacher prior to the event.


VCE Units 3 & 4 

Rules for School-Assessed Coursework and School-Assessed

Tasks 

The VCAA sets down six rules which a student must observe when preparing work for assessment. These rules apply to school assessed coursework, they are: