Glossary of Terms

Authentication

Teachers must be able to certify that the work you submit is your own. Each teacher will have a method of ensuring the authenticity of your work.

Coursework assessment

The assessment of work done mainly in class time to establish how students are performing.

ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank)

An overall measure of how well the student has performed in his/her VCE. After scaling, all successful students will be ranked on the basis of their results in English or EAL; the next three best scaled scores and 10% of any fifth and sixth scaled score.

Field of Study

Broad groupings into which all studies are placed (e.g. The Arts). There are 10 fields of study.

General Achievement Test (GAT)

The general test which will measure what level of general achievement students undertaking a Unit 3 & 4 sequence have accomplished in:

• Written communication

• Mathematics, science and technology

• Humanities, arts, social sciences

The test is used by VCAA to help verify the grades allocated to school assessed coursework. The GAT is undertaken in June each year.

Learning Outcomes

What students must know or be able to do by the completion of the unit, demonstrated over a number of assessment tasks; e.g.: writing essays, producing a flow chart, making a table, designing a garment.

Prerequisite Studies

Those nominated by individual course authorities as studies which must be satisfactorily completed by all applicants seeking admission to these courses. Applicants who do not meet this condition may not be considered for selection.

If a prerequisite study must be included in the best four studies for scoring purposes this will be indicated by the phrase "studies which must be included in the best four". Most courses offer a choice from a list of prerequisite studies. You should check VICTER "Victorian Tertiary Entrance Requirements". Entry into tertiary courses requires not only the satisfactory completion of the VCE but also the satisfactory completion of Units three and four of English.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Within the VCAL students can gain credit for courses previously completed (e.g. First Aid Level 1)

School Assessed Task (SAT)

A task completed, in class, to assess major tasks in technology and arts subjects in Units 3/4 level and marked by teachers according to VCAA specifications.

School Assessed Coursework (SAC)

An assessment of each student's level of achievement based on a selection of assessment tasks designated in the study design.

Semester

The equivalent of half a school year.

Sequence

Two units at level 3 & 4 in the same Study Design (e.g. Australian History 3 & 4)

Special Provision

Where a student has a disability, or has been ill, or if personal circumstances have affected their work to a significant degree during any semester of VCE studies, they may be eligible to have this taken into consideration. The student must formally notify the College.

Statistical Moderation

Moderation of a student's given mark by the examination mark.

Strand

Within the VCAL students must study units from each of these four strands - Literacy/Numeracy, Personal Development, Industry Specific and the Work-Related strands.

Study

Most VCE studies are made up of 4 units e.g. Mathematical Methods Unit 1 through to Mathematical Methods Unit 4.

Study Design

The study design describes the units available and prescribes the tasks set for assessment.

Study Score

A ranking in the group of students taking that study across the state. Study scores will range from 0 to 50 with 30 being the median score. Scores of 40 or above are awarded to the top 81 students.

ASBA

Australian School Based Apprenticeship.

UNIT

A self-contained study of a semester's length.

UNITS 1 & 2

Level of difficulty usually associated with Year 11.

UNITS 3 & 4

Level of difficulty usually associated with Year 12.

VCAA Victorian Curriculum & Assessment Authority

The body responsible for curriculum, assessment and certification at Years 11 & 12 level in Victoria.

VQA Victorian Qualifications Authority

VCE Victorian Certificate of Education

VCAL Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning

VET Programs Vocational Education and Training Programs

VTAC Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre

The organisation that administers the selection system on behalf of Victorian institutions of higher education. Other states have an equivalent organisation.