Important Questions

How do you begin planning?

Students should plan their units of study so that they have a number of options after VCE/ VCE VM. This may mean a number of choices within a general interest area, or a number of choices that run across interest areas. This approach is important for a number of reasons:

• During the VCE/ VCE VM students often change their mind about what they want to do after Year 12 and therefore must have enough flexibility in their subject choice to permit this. Some students will start individual subjects and find that they are not interested or motivated in that area.Therefore they should have sufficient subject breadth to be able to change direction. Other students will find they do not perform well in a particular subject and need to change subjects or particular career paths.

• VCE/ VCE VM subject choice must provide the student with flexibility and a number of options at the end of Year 12.

• Subject choice that locks a student into one career direction is not a realistic approach.

VCE/ VCE VM students are able to change their subject choices at the end of Semester 1 for Unit 1 & 2 studies but Units 3 & 4 studies must be completed as a sequence. Year 11 students are encouraged to consult subject and careers teachers and CAPs workers before making requests to change subjects.

Finally, students must face the realities of life at the end of VCE/ VCE VM. Work can be extremely difficult to obtain and further education is highly competitive. Therefore, students must be flexible enough in their subject choice and attitude to be able to consider a number of different career paths after VCE or the VCE VM.

What is VCE VM?

The VCE Vocational Major is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE that will replace Intermediate and Senior VCAL programs. The VCE VM will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.

How do you choose your subjects?

Find out about prerequisites (units in the VCE that you must satisfactorily complete to be eligible to apply for a University or TAFE course). Remember that prerequisites can include Unit 1 & 2 studies as well as Units 3 & 4 studies. In addition to prerequisites some courses will also consider your performance in other studies to assist them to pick the student most suited to their course.

After identifying studies that you MUST do, students should then consider two other factors - studies that they enjoy and studies that they are good at. Students should carefully read the subject descriptions and consider the content of each subject and ways in which each subject is taught.

It is worth checking for the studies you are interested in, whether there is advice about doing some units before attempting others. For example, if you are interested in studying Chemistry it is recommended that you do Unit 1 or Unit 2, or both, before attempting a sequence of Units 3 and 4 (or have equivalent experience or be willing to do some preparatory work).

What do the numbers in the VCE/ VCE VM unit titles mean?

• Each unit has a number: 1,2,3 or 4. Most studies are made up of four units.

• Each unit lasts for one semester or a half-year, and represents approximately 100 hours of work conducted both within and outside the classroom.

• Units 1 and 2 are usually undertaken in the first year of VCE (Year 11). Units 1 and 2 can be studied separately or as a sequence. Units 3 and 4 are generally taken after Units 1 and 2 (in Year 12) and are of a higher level of difficulty.

• Units 3 and 4 must be studied as a sequence. Unit 3 can only be offered in the first half of the year and Unit 4 can only be offered in the second half of the year. This means that if you enroll in Unit 3 of a study, you are expected to go on and do the Unit 4 that makes up the pair. It also means that you cannot do a Unit 4 without doing the Unit 3 that precedes it. 

Can you do a Unit 3 & 4 VCE study in Year 11?

Yes. Students can undertake a Unit 3 & 4 study in their first year of the VCE. Students should only choose this option if they are a highly able student and should carefully consider the advice of their course counselor as to the best Unit 3 & 4 study to select. Usually students would have completed Units 1 and 2 as part of their Year 10 program.

How will you be assessed in VCE/ VCE VM?

Year 11- Units 1 & 2

Outcomes are prescribed for all units. Students must demonstrate the key knowledge and skills of each Outcome through tasks set by the teacher. All outcomes for a unit must be satisfactorily demonstrated for an overall ‘S’ to be gained for that study. An ‘N’ indicates non-satisfactory completion of one or more outcomes. Outcomes are completed mainly in class time. In addition, one or more tasks per study will be graded from A+ to UG according to the descriptive criteria supplied in class.

Year 12 - Units 3 & 4

Assessment is made up of external examinations and School Assessed Coursework (SACs). Coursework is completed in class and scores for the work are forwarded to the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Students receive feedback and are given a grade ranging from A+ to UG

All outcomes for a unit of study must be satisfactorily demonstrated for an overall ‘S’ to be gained for that study. An ‘N’ indicates non-satisfactory completion of one or more outcomes.

Note:

1. The VCE will be awarded if all outcomes are satisfactorily completed in the required number of subjects.

2. Study Scores in a study are cancelled by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) if an overall S is not gained for the study.

Can you study a VCE unit twice?

Yes. You can do a unit twice if you want to, but you can only get credit once for that unit towards the award of the certificate.

Can you repeat a VCE Unit 3 & 4 study?

Yes. Students can repeat a Unit 3 & 4 study in the hope of improving their Study Score. There is no penalty imposed. The best Study score will be the only one considered in the calculation of your ATAR.

Can you include VET as part of your VCE program?

Yes, most VET courses can contribute to the completion of the VCE Certificate and also your ATAR score. 1st Year VET courses are equivalent to the completion of VCE Units 1 and 2 while 2nd Year VET courses are equivalent to the completion of VCE Units 3 and 4.

What happens if I have problems completing work on time?

A written description of the School Assessed Coursework (SACs) to be completed for each unit will be provided to each student along with a definite due date set by the teacher.

Students who expect difficulty meeting the due date should discuss this with their class teacher well before the due date. In some cases an extension of time may be granted in accordance with the requirements for Special Provisions.

What happens if I face problems during my VCE?

Special Provision is designed to allow students who are experiencing significant hardship or difficulties and who are unable to perform at an optimum level, the opportunity to demonstrate what they know and what they can achieve. 

There are a number of special applications, which can be made:

1. Special attendance arrangements or variations to school assessment coursework (SACs) are available for students seriously affected with short-term hardship.

2. Special examination arrangements, such as extra time, use of a scribe etc., are available for students who require specific assistance during exams.

3. The calculation of a derived score is available for a student who is unable to sit an exam or is seriously disadvantaged at the time.

4. VTAC Access and Equity Applications are available for a number of disadvantage categories such as social disadvantage or family circumstances.

5. VTAC Chronic Circumstances Application is available for students who have been seriously disadvantaged for a prolonged period during their studies.

6. Parent/guardian or student enquiries about the above provisions should be made to the VCE Teams.