What are your questions about the VCE?
By Heath McGregor on Jan 25, 2009 in Goal Achievement, VCE Help News, VCE Resources, VCE Subjects
Let’s face it. The VCE can be confusing, complicated and downright stressful. Subject selection, scaling, rankings, special consideration, sac’s and more – but what does it all mean and more importantly how does it effect you.
Heard a rumour about the VCE system – why don’t you ask whether it is true here!
So I can get a clear picture about the information that you are after please write your questions and comments below about what you don’t understand about the VCE system.
Even if it has been asked by a previous commenter still write it down…that way I can ascertain the relative importance about certain topics. With a bit of luck I might even be able to get someone from the VCAA to interview so we can all get clarification on what we need to do in the VCE.
Fire away…
(4 votes, average: 4.25 out of 5)
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Heath McGregor | Jan 28, 2009 | Reply
Some great questions have come in by email. So far my list (and the list I have received is):
- Can I fail subjects and still pass my VCE?
- How exactly is my ENTER score calculated?
- How does scaling work?
- Is there a limit to the number of classes I can miss per year and still achieve my VCE?
- Can I calculate or predict my own enter score and subject scores?
- Isn’t the GAT really a waste of time or is there some real reason its used? Be honest.
- What happens if I have more than one exam on the one day in the November exam period?
- What happens if I forget to write my name on the exam booklet? A true story.
- What happens if I’m sick and miss a SAC at school? What happens?
A fantastic start thus far…keep it coming…and try to stay cool these next few days!
Phillip | Feb 5, 2009 | Reply
Actually, half of them are what I want to know too.
Murphy | Apr 8, 2009 | Reply
Does the scaling of some subjects (lets say Technology and Design which is traditionally scaled down) affect your decision on wether your child should select this subject?
Rida | Jun 15, 2009 | Reply
Hey Murphy,
look i believe go for PRE-REQUISITES, if you know them, then these subjects become COMPULSORY and INCREASE your chances of getting into you preffered course.
scaling is all about getting a BALANCED study score of your subjects and ENTER is all about getting a balanced score for your ALL subjects.
If you are confident that you CAN do well in a certain subject and that you are interested and ‘get’ it then you are SAFE.
In my case, i did biology but whether it was due to my teacher or me simple not getting it, i was doing poorly on it. Keeping in mind that biology only gets marked up by 1, so lets say if i got 20 outta 50, it will give me 21 and that is NOT helpful…!!
Then i chose psychology which is ALSO memorising and clearing concepts, and it gets marked down. BUT WAIT. Scaling system is weird, if you got 20 for psych, you will get 18. If got 30 then 29. If got 40 or higher, then it will stay the same. (And i am personally aiming at getting a high score).So yeh, it is pretty confusing, but seriously dont worry~ try your best to get the highest possible mark and you can only get this by choosing subjects you enjoy or find easy to understand.
the rest depends on you buddy…:)
James | Jan 4, 2010 | Reply
I’m just inquiring, does the amount of VCE unit 3/4 effect the enter score, and if so how much?
For example if I did 4 subjects and got the following score
Maths Further:30
English:35
Chemistry:28
Media Studies:32
Would my score be affected if I did 5 subjects in total or maybe six instead of four. Basically I just want to know if there is any point in doing more than 4 subjects? And if I choose to only do four subjects will I be advantaged, because other people are doing six. thanks
julian | Aug 3, 2010 | Reply
if i get an E+ in the vce exam is it still considered as a pass(i have completed all school assesed work)??
Lee Muddyan | Oct 13, 2011 | Reply
Is there any point doing the end of year exams if I don’t need an atar score?
Heath McGregor | Oct 16, 2011 | Reply
Absolutely Lee – you may not need an ATAR at this point in time but what if you change your mind, or your planned career path doesn’t quite work out for you. Completing your VCE and receiving your ATAR is something important that you can fall back to if required.
Hassaan | Oct 25, 2011 | Reply
I got 64% in my Further Maths SAC s. With the scaling process included,can I still get 40+ for my Further Maths Study Score,given that I get 100% in the exams?
Heath McGregor | Oct 25, 2011 | Reply
Not knowing you, your work ethic and the depth of your knowledge makes it hard to tell but given you have scored 64% in your sacs I would say it is unlikely Hassaan.
Hassaan | Oct 26, 2011 | Reply
But isnt the SACs worth 34 percent of your Further Maths Study Score? How would the scaling system work in my case?
Dilhan | Oct 26, 2011 | Reply
If i sit a sac but get below 50% is that counted as a fail
Heath McGregor | Nov 1, 2011 | Reply
Hassaan, it is worth looking at the further maths statistics from last years exams to understand what is required. http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/statistics/2010/section3/vce_further_maths_ga10.pdf . Also, I would look at the details about study scores here: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/faqs/vcecurrentstudents.html#H3N100A9 and info about scaling and how it works here: http://www.vtac.edu.au/pdf/publications/abcofscaling.pdf
Heath McGregor | Nov 1, 2011 | Reply
Dilhan, you can theoretically fail a sac but still pass overall. Provided you are still able to demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of the key knowledge and demonstrate the key skills you *should* get a satisfactory result overall.
Peter | Nov 4, 2011 | Reply
Hello i have just sat my first further exam and i am positive i got 37/40.
If i am able to get 50~60 in my exam 2, what is the max possible score i could possibly get?
My SAC scores are averaged to about 65% as well..