Year 12 (Units 3/4):

• SACs and SATs are scored by the school, contributing to the internal assessment portion of a student’s study score for each subject.
• External exams are scored by VCAA-appointed assessors.
• Each scored assessment is combined to produce a raw study score out of 50 for each subject.
• Study scores are then statistically moderated to take into account the distribution of scores and the difficulty of the assessments compared to statewide results.
• The moderated study scores for each subject are scaled in relation to all other VCE subjects, a process which may increase or decrease a score depending on the subject and its perceived level of difficulty or scaling factors.
• For the ATAR calculation, the scaled study scores for English (or an equivalent unit) and the next best three scores from permissible studies are aggregated. Up to two additional studies can contribute to the ATAR as increments.
• The ATAR is a percentile ranking given between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student’s position relative to all other students.

In Year 12 of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), each subject’s assessment components contribute to the final study score in different proportions. These proportions can vary depending on the subject, but a common structure might look something like this:

1. School-Assessed Coursework (SACs): Typically, SACs contribute between 25% and 50% of the final study score. The exact percentage depends on the subject and is outlined in the subject’s study design.
2. School-Assessed Tasks (SATs): For subjects that have SATs (like studio arts or technology subjects), these can also range from 25% to 50% of the final score.
3. External Examinations: The end-of-year exams usually account for 50% to 75% of the final study score in many subjects. Again, this can vary; for example, in English, the exam typically makes up a larger portion of the assessment compared to other subjects.

The VCAA determines the specific weighting of each assessment component, which is detailed in the study design documents for each VCE subject. These documents provide the official percentages and how they combine to form the study score for that subject. It is essential to refer to these study designs for the most accurate and current assessment weightings.

For the ATAR calculation, the study scores from the student’s top four subjects, including one from the English group, are aggregated. This aggregate, after scaling, forms the basis of the ATAR calculation. Up to two additional subjects can contribute to the ATAR as scaled increments.

In summary, the percentage contribution of SACs, SATs, and external exams to the final study score is specific to each VCE subject and must be looked up in the subject-specific study design guidelines provided by the VCAA.

ATAR Calculation:

• The ATAR is calculated by VTAC, not the VCAA.
• The scaled study scores for a student’s top four subjects, including one from the English group, are aggregated.
• This aggregate is then used to calculate the ATAR, which is a percentile rank between 0.00 and 99.95.
• Additional subjects can contribute to the ATAR as increments (10% of the study score for a fifth or sixth subject).

The ATAR is thus not a simple percentage but a rank that shows a student’s performance relative to all other Year 12 students in the state. It’s important to remember that this ranking process involves multiple stages of moderation and scaling, and the exact mathematical models used are complex and proprietary to VTAC. For precise information, the official VTAC website provides detailed explanations and sometimes offers calculation estimators.

General timeline for the VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) examination process, applicable for most years:

• Commencement of End of Year Processes: Typically in mid-October, the process for finalizing year-end satisfactory completion updates begins.
• Language and Special Examinations: Soon after, specific language examinations (like Auslan) are held.
• School-based Assessment Audit Deadline: Around late October, the deadline for submitting additional evidence for assessments arrives.
• VCE Written Examinations: From late October to mid-November, the main period for VCE written exams takes place.
• Results and ATAR Release: In mid-December, students usually receive their VCE results and ATAR scores.

These dates can vary slightly each year, so it’s essential to check the official Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) website or consult with the educational institution for the specific dates for any given year.