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Memorandum to Schools 72/2008

28 August 2008

Three Examinations On One Day

Scheduling of the November examination period is done within severe constraints.  It would take a least five extra days in the timetable to avoid all possible instances of three examinations on one day.  The need to get results out to students before school ends and in time for VTAC to conduct a two-stage selection process together with the teaching time required to complete courses and allow some revision means that these days are not available.  The 2008 examination timetable, released to schools last year, was constructed to minimise the number of clashes and the number of students facing three examinations on one day.

In December 2007, the VCAA announced changed arrangements for this year’s examination period requiring those students who have three examinations scheduled on one day to complete all examinations on that day. The VCAA recently announced an enhancement to this arrangement, providing an additional 10 minutes per hour extra time in the final examination of the day. This may be taken as extra writing time or as supervised rest breaks.

Following this announcement, the VCAA has become aware of some considerable anxiety being expressed by a number of the affected students and their parents.  This has raised the possibility that, despite the additional time being made available for these students, their ability to perform at their best in November may be compromised.

The first and most important priority for the VCAA is the welfare of students who are undertaking VCE programs.  The VCAA has reviewed the proposed arrangements and has decided to provide all students who complete a third examination on one day with a Derived Examination Score for their third examination on that day. These students will not be required to apply for a Derived Examination Score; they will receive the highest of their actual score or Derived Examination Score.

The VCAA is confident that these arrangements provide a fair outcome for all students in 2008.  Further details regarding these arrangements will be sent to schools with affected students.

 

CONTACTS

Further enquiries on students with three examinations on one day should be directed to Mr Alex Lachowicz on ph 9225 2237.

 

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