FAQs

There is a common myth that some subjects are ‘easier’ than others because they are scaled down. Some students take this to mean that these subjects are ‘easier’, that they do not need to work as hard at these subjects to do well. This could not be further from the truth. A student studying a subject like Psychology not only has to contend with the inevitable scaling down of their study score, they also have to compete with the above-average number of students completing the subject. Whilst doing average in Maths Methods might yield an okay study score, doing average in Psychology or Design is simply not good enough; to get a good score in these “easy” subjects, students have to stand out from the crowd. The good thing is that the higher a student’s study score in these subjects, the less it gets scaled down. A 50 in Psychology stays a 50. That is not easy, but it is worth aiming for.

This myth goes hand-in-hand with the above point. Subjects like those suggested are tricky because they are a good idea for some students, and a terrible idea for others. On one hand, students who excel at Maths and take Methods are likely to increase their chance of getting a high ATAR score, because Methods is scaled up. However, students who aren’t highly competent in their mathematical abilities and are just doing Methods for the sake of the scaling are likely to struggle with the advanced coursework and receive a consequently poorer score than they would if they had simply done Further Maths. The trick is that each and every student needs to assess their own abilities, interests and pick the subjects that suit them and their future goals.

A student should think very carefully before turning their back on maths. Some students find mathematics painful; they have been baffled by x’s and y’s since they started high school. However, before deciding to drop maths, all students should think seriously about the University courses they wish to apply for, and carefully check the prerequisite subjects for each of these courses. A lot of courses, particularly in the fields of science, economics, engineering, IT and biomedicine require students to have completed Math Methods. Teaching and Nursing courses can require Year 11/General Maths.

The ATAR is a student ranking system and is calculated solely for the use of tertiary institutions to compare the overall achievement of students who have completed different combinations of VCE studies. The ATAR is forwarded along with the application information to Universities etc.

At Manor Lakes P-12 College we require you to take 5 subjects. A maximum of 6 subjects only can contribute to your ATAR, this would only be possible by choosing an early commencement subject in year 10 and picking up a new subject in year 12.

You will need to speak to a counselor and the teacher of both the subject you want to change and the new subject you are thinking of studying. There are several subjects that would not be recommended to pick up at this late stage as you may not have an adequate level of background knowledge. However, some are suitable to pick up, especially in the second half of Year 11 and depending on the candidate and the endeavor to work hard and overcome initial challenges – many students have gone on to make their new subject the one they do the best in.

You will need to speak to counselors, your parents and the coordinators of both VCE and VCE/VM. If you are studying a VET you may be eligible to investigate this opportunity.

Many tertiary courses in the VCE Visual Arts and Design areas require students to attend interviews and present samples of their work. Whilst the final selection will usually consider the ATAR the quality of the portfolio is the first consideration. Portfolios are very time consuming tasks and need a passion and commitment to complete. Students who undertake subjects such as Visual Communications, Studio Arts, Media, Design and Technology, Textiles, Wood ect, will have to complete portfolios as a major part of their assessment during VCE.

A pre-requisite is a subject you must have studied before moving to a higher level eg. We would strongly recommend that you complete Unit 1 & 2 Chemistry, Physics and Maths Methods / Specialist moving to Units 3 & 4 of these subjects. In regards to University applications, a required pre-requisite is a subject you must have completed at school before applying for a tertiary course. Some institutions may also publish lists of suggested studies. (eg, History is a suggested study for Law at Monash) and also there will be information on VTAC Course Search that will list subjects that add bonus points to your application.

Unless you have been studying another language since primary school or you have been exposed to another language at home through your parents, relatives and friends, it is very difficult to learn another language in VCE.

We do not recommend that you consider starting to study a language during your senior years of schooling. You must be able to speak and write in another language to a high standard to perform well. If you meet these requirements, it can be useful to have another language to gain positions in customer service, retail sales, customs, translation services and travel services.

Yes you can, as long as you are 18, but you are unlikely to be selected even if you finish with excellent results. The police these days want their recruits to be older and more mature and some potential recruits can wait for a lengthy period before they are selected. It may be a good idea to have a backup plan such as a University or TAFE course that you would like to undertake or a trade or service qualification.

No – in most years information shows that approx. 50% of all teachers in training in Victoria have completed an undergraduate degree of their choice, such as a Bachelor of Arts or Commerce and then decided to begin post-graduate teacher training of an extra 2 years. The percentage of post-graduates undertaking secondary education training is higher. It is mandatory for all teaching degree applicants to have completed a minimum of Units 1 &2 General Maths (generally completed in year 11).

A Bachelor of Arts is the original university degree, dating back to the foundation of Oxford University. Arts degrees usually include subjects we might otherwise refer to as Humanities such as History, Geography and LOTE. This is distinct from Visual and Fine Arts studies such as painting and sculpture. Completing a Bachelor of Arts enables you to discover your talents, interests and abilities and develop them fully. An Arts degree helps you develop highly sought-after skills such as critical thinking, communication, reasoning ability and problem solving. Many employers, especially in large organisations, look for people with the skills an Arts degree provides. Some specialized areas of study lead to careers in specific fields such as psychology, linguistic or languages. Other career opportunities exist in: administration; advertising; art galleries and museums; consulting; diplomatic and trade services; education; environmental protection and management; event coordination; film and television; finance; foreign affairs; human resource management; information management/technology; marketing; media and entertainment; politics; public relations; publishing and research; real estate recreation and leisure; research; retail; social services; sociology; sports coordinating; statistics; translating/interpreting; travel and tourism; welfare; writing.

It is worth noting that as of 2021, the fees for a Bachelor if Arts are increasing significantly and you should take this into account before applying because "you don't know what else to do."

Some Nursing courses require a minimum standard in mathematics. Ballarat and Latrobe also require the student to do at least one subject from a range of related courses which include Biology and Chemistry, Health and Human Development, Psychology and PE. However, whilst it is not impossible to succeed in Nursing without school Biology or Chemistry, it is highly recommended that you study at least one of these subjects.

To become a medical practitioner you usually have to study medicine at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your VCE with particularly good results; ATAR 98. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one of more of English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics are normally required. Some universities in Australia offer medicine as a double degree. A number of universities offer degrees in medicine; Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change. Entries into these courses are highly competitive and may involve admission tests and interviews.

Alternatively, you can become a medical practitioner by completing a relevant bachelor degree, followed by a postgraduate qualification in medicine. ATAR scores into bachelor degrees can be lower, 78 to 95, depending on the bachelor degree.

An undergraduate is a student studying for their first degree at a tertiary institution. A post-graduate is usually using their first degree as a basis for further study.

The VCE is a good option for students who would like to go on to further education at university. However, you might feel that this is not the right option for you.

Just like the VCE, the VCAL is an accredited senior secondary school qualification undertaken in Years 11 and 12. The VCAL is based on hands-on learning, also known as 'applied learning'.

If you choose to do the VCAL, you will gain practical experience and 'employability' skills, as well as the skills you will need to go onto further training in the workplace or at a TAFE.