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HOW VCE WORKS
HOW VCE WORKS
The VCE course is made up of studies and units, some of which must be studied as a sequence.
A study is a subject, for example, English or Biology. It is made up of four units (Units 1, 2, 3 and 4), each of which is a semester in length.
For most students, VCE is completed over two years.
Students typically study Units 1 and 2 in their first year, and Units 3 and 4 in their second year.
You can study Unit 1 or Unit 2 of a subject as stand-alone units. However, you must enrol in Units 3 and 4 of a study as a sequence. This sequence needs to be completed in the same year if a study score is to be calculated.
Students usually study from 20 to 24 units (five or six studies) in Years 11 and 12.
VCE AT ST AUGUSTINE'S COLLEGE
VCE AT ST AUGUSTINE'S COLLEGE
St Augustine’s recommends that VCE students undertake a course of study that gives the greatest chance of a broad base of knowledge and skills and provides the opportunity to maximise ATAR scores.
To maximise ATAR scores, the College recommends that students undertake 6 Unit 3/4 subjects, with the opportunity for students to spread these Unit 3/4 sequences across their VCE studies by undertaking to ‘Fast Track’ a VCE subject/s while in Year 10 and 11.
To support students to maximise their final ATAR score, the College recommends that students undertake at least 4 of their 6 Unit 3/4 subjects in their final year of study, as this program provides an appropriate balance of class time and study lessons.
This is what you need to get your VCE:
Students must take a course over at least two years. Most students will complete a total of 24 units (13 in Year 11 and 11 in Year 12) of different studies. You will graduate with the VCE by satisfactorily completing a minimum of 16 units.
Regardless of how many units you do altogether, you must satisfactorily complete:
At least three units of English. Literature 3 & 4 can be taken instead of English 3 & 4; plus
A sequence of Units 3 and 4 in three other studies, apart from the compulsory English.
Each unit has outcomes that describe what you are expected to know and be able to do. The decision about satisfactory completion of units is based on a student's ability to demonstrate outcomes specified for each VCE study. There are also two types of graded assessment in the VCE: school based assessment (SAC's or SAT's) and external examinations.
External examinations – written, oral, performance or electronic – are set and marked by the VCAA. Most exams are held in November, although the General Achievement Test (GAT) is held in June and oral and performance exams are held in October.
ADVICE
ADVICE
The following factors should be taken into account when choosing your subjects:
The ability of the student to handle a subject with a reasonable degree of success:
Experience has shown that if a person cannot handle a subject at Year 10 level, success at Year 11 would be very doubtful. Students in doubt about their capabilities of handling a subject at Year 11 should see their subject teacher, Community Leader or Teacher Advisor for advice.
The need to keep options open:
Experience has shown that many students change direction during Year 11. Selecting a range of subjects which permits such change is desirable.
Choose studies that you will enjoy:
Students tend to do better in subjects they enjoy doing.
The relevance of a subject to a career and tertiary selection:
Some tertiary courses require that students have studied certain subjects (prerequisites) whilst others are recommended. Current Year 10 students and parents should familiarise themselves with the Tertiary Entrance Requirements.
DO NOT select certain subjects because you have been told they score better on the ATAR.
This is false. You will find it much harder to gain a good Subject Study Score in the hard subjects even though it may be increased later. The greatest factor in gaining a high ATAR is in the effort you have made.
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