The VCAA has decided that mid-year examinations in VCE Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics and Psychology will be held for the last time in 2012.
From 2013 mid-year VCE examinations will no longer be offered.
A decision on the timing of the 2013 General Achievement Test (GAT) is yet to be determined. The VCAA will consult schools and other key stakeholders early in 2012 before making a decision.
Many schools have been asking for this change for some time. Freeing up this time will provide more flexibility for schools and permit greater continuity of study for all VCE students. The examinations for all VCE students will be aligned.
Principals and a range of study specialists including teachers and examiners were consulted prior to the decision. Study specific panels were convened for the six studies and where it was identified that there were consequent effects on curriculum in study designs, subject associations were consulted to provide advice on necessary changes.
A number of minor amendments to the study designs for Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics and Psychology will be made to accommodate the consequent changes to the assessment structures of these studies.
The amendments are confined to Units 3 and 4 in each of the studies and will be implemented from the 2013 school year.
The table below summarises changes to the assessment structures for each study, showing the relative weightings of School-assessed Coursework and the length of the single end-of-year examination.
|
VCE study |
Examination length |
Weighting of Exam/School-assessed Coursework |
School-assessed Coursework |
|
Accounting |
2 hours |
50 / 50 |
No change |
|
Biology |
2 ½ hours |
66 ⅔ / 33 ⅓ |
Reduced from 8 to 6 |
|
Chemistry |
2 ½ hours |
66 ⅔ / 33 ⅓ |
No change |
|
Environmental Science |
2 hours |
50 / 50 |
Reduced from 6 to 5 |
|
Physics |
2 ½ hours |
66 ⅔ / 33 ⅓ |
No change |
|
Psychology |
2 ½ hours |
66 ⅔ /33 ⅓ |
Reduced from 8 to 6 |
The amended study designs will be published online on individual study pages on the VCAA website in Term 1, 2012 for implementation in 2013.
The VCAA will conduct briefings for each study in Term 2, 2012.
The February 2012 VCAA Bulletin VCE, VCAL and VET will advise schools of the availability of the amended study designs and will provide details of the briefings.
If you have any queries regarding these changes, please contact the VCE Unit Manager, Margaret Mackenzie by email: mackenzie.margaret.a@edumail.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 9651 4443.
From 2012, new and revised VCE study designs will be published only electronically on the VCAA website, on the individual study pages.
Printing and distribution of hardcopies of VCE study designs will cease.
Electronic publication allows the VCAA to utilise features available in an online environment, to enhance useability and ease of access.
Updates and amendments to study designs will still be published in the VCAA Bulletin VCE, VCAL and VET and on individual study pages.
The accreditation period for Philosophy ends on 31 December 2013. This study will undergo a major review during 2012. Expressions of interest for review panel membership were opened on Wednesday 16 November. Further information on the application procedure can be accessed in Notice to Schools 170/2011 at: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/correspondence/notices/2011/170.html
Schools are advised that the closing date for applications is Wednesday 14 December 2011.
The accreditation period for Health and Human Development ends on 31 December 2013. The study will be reviewed in 2012.
The accreditation periods for Dance, Drama, and Theatre Studies end on 31 December 2014. However, the Board of the VCAA has determined that these studies will undergo minor review in 2012, for implementation in 2014.
Minor reviews do not require a Review Panel. Consultation processes for the review of these studies will operate as for all VCE reviews and consultation drafts will be available for consideration and feedback in 2012, according to established procedures.
Schools are advised that in 2012 the VCE studies listed below are to be taught using the newly accredited study designs:
VCE Accounting 2012–2016
VCE Australian and Global Politics (formerly International Politics) 2012–2016
VCE English Language 2012–2016
VCE Industry and Enterprise 2012–2016
VCE Media 2012–2016
VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies 2012–2016
VCE Product Design and Technology (formerly Design and Technology) 2012–2016
VCE Sociology 2012–2016
Copies of these study designs were distributed to schools in Term 1 2011 and Portable Document Format (PDF) versions are available on the VCAA website at: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/index.html
Enquiries about distribution of study designs should be directed to Peter Fisher on (03) 9651 4511.
November written examinations in 2012 conclude on Thursday 22 November, not Wednesday 22 November as previously published.
The 2012 VCE Examination timetable has been approved by the VCAA Board and is available at: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/exams/timetable.html