Information on this page relating to the VCE includes the Vocational Major (VM), unless stated otherwise. Where VCE VM is referred to separately from the VCE, the information is specific to the VM program.
Satisfactory completion of units
VCE units
For satisfactory completion of a VCE unit, students must demonstrate their achievement of the set of outcomes as specified in the study design. The decision about satisfactory completion of outcomes is based on the teacher’s judgment of the student’s overall performance on a combination of set work and assessment tasks related to the outcomes. Students should be provided with multiple opportunities across the learning program to develop and demonstrate the key knowledge and key skills required for the outcomes for the unit.
The decision to award an S for satisfactory completion of a unit is separate from the assessment of levels of achievement for study score calculation. VCE unit results (S or N) contribute to satisfactory completion of the certificate.
For VCE units, excluding VM studies, final school-based assessment scores contribute to the calculation of a study score. Where the assessment item developed combines the demonstration of outcomes (S or N) and levels of achievement (scored assessment), best practice would support students who did not meet the outcome through the completion of the assessment item being afforded additional opportunities to demonstrate the outcome. For example, a teacher may consider work previously submitted, provided it meets the requirements, as a way of demonstrating the outcome. Students may not resubmit work to improve a school-based assessment score.
VCE VM studies do not receive a study score.
Satisfactory VCE unit result
The student will receive an S (satisfactory) for a unit if the teacher determines that the student has:
- produced work that demonstrates achievement of the outcomes
- submitted work that is clearly their own.
Decisions about satisfactory completion of a unit are solely the responsibility of the school. Results for each unit must be based on a judgment of satisfactory or non-satisfactory achievement of outcomes.
At the beginning of the academic year, schools must provide students with clear written details of both the VCAA’s rules and the school’s rules and procedures. For all VCE units, schools must specify the work that a student must complete to achieve an S for a unit and the conditions under which the work is to be done. See
Integrity of VCE school-based assessments for more information.
Not satisfactory VCE unit result
The student will receive an N (not satisfactory) for the unit when one or more of the following occurs:
- the work does not demonstrate achievement of the outcomes
- the student has failed to meet a school deadline for the assessment task (which can include time granted through an extension for any reason or a special provision or both)
- the work cannot be authenticated, for example, through lack of attendance
- there has been a substantial breach of the VCAA’s rules and the school’s rules and procedures.
Redeeming outcomes – submitting further evidence for satisfactory completion
If, in the judgment of the teacher, work submitted by a student does not meet the required standard for satisfactory completion, the teacher may consider other work relating to outcomes that has been undertaken and submitted by the student for the unit. This work may include class work, homework, additional tasks or discussions with the student that demonstrate their achievement of the outcome. The school may decide to delay the decision about satisfactory completion to allow a student to complete or submit further work.
A student may only submit further evidence or resubmit a school-based assessment for reconsideration, to redeem an N to an S for the outcome. Students may not resubmit to improve a school-based assessment score.
VCE unit result of J
If a student is no longer attending a unit but they have not officially withdrawn by signing a
Student exit form, the symbol J will be included on VASS.
The J result can only be used if the student:
- is no longer attending class
- has not submitted work for assessment.
The J result is recorded on the VCAA database but is not reported on the student’s Statement of Results. Units with a J result are made available to the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) and are treated as equivalent to those with an N result.
Lost, stolen or damaged work
If a teacher or student has lost work or had work stolen or damaged, they must make a written statement explaining the circumstances. The statement must be signed, dated and filed at the school. Schools must keep a record, but they are not required to report the loss, theft or damage to the VCAA. The principal, acting on advice from the teacher, and on the basis of records kept, shall determine the unit result for the student.
Care in the use of technology
A student who uses technology to produce work for assessment is responsible for making sure:
- there is an alternative system available for producing assessable work in case of malfunction or unavailability
- hard copies of the work in progress and backup versions are produced regularly.
VPC/VCAL units
Satisfactory VPC/VCAL unit result
A student will receive an S (satisfactory) for VPC/VCAL units when they have demonstrated achievement in all learning outcomes for the unit.
All VPC/VCAL assessment activities should be reviewed by the teacher to verify their successful completion. The elements in the curriculum documents further describe the learning outcomes and are intended as a guide for teachers in the design of assessment tasks to ensure consistency in how learning outcomes are interpreted and assessed.
To be credited with a satisfactory unit result, a student must demonstrate achievement in all learning outcomes in that unit.
The curriculum components in a learning program must be assessed in accordance with the requirements and guidelines outlined in the curriculum documents for the units.
The VPC/VCAL provider coordinates the assessment and collection of results for all curriculum components within the VCAL learning program. Students will receive an S or N (not yet completed) result for each unit.
Teachers assessing students who have particular needs must maintain the validity and reliability of assessment. Flexible assessment methods should be used to allow students to demonstrate the successful completion of learning outcomes without disadvantage.
Teachers should use a variety of assessment tasks that provide a range of opportunities for students to demonstrate achievement of each learning outcome. Students should be observed on more than one occasion and, wherever possible, in a range of contexts to make sure the assessment is consistent, reliable, fair and equitable.
For VCE units included in the VPC/VCAL learning program, assessment must be in accordance with the VCE study designs.
Recording of VPC/VCAL learning outcomes
VPC/VCAL providers who record an N for a VPC and VCAL unit can record an S for individual unit learning outcomes that have been achieved. This is considered existing credit. Access the entry screen for the recording of individual learning outcomes via the VPC/VASS menu and select Results Admin. From there select Results Admin > VPC/VCAL Results Entry > Unit.
Providers can produce other relevant reports by selecting Results Admin, following:
- Results Admin > Unit results > by class
- Results Admin > Unit results > by student.
VPC/VCAL students with existing credit will be required to complete only the outstanding VPC/VCAL unit learning outcomes that were not achieved, to record an S for the unit. There is a two-year period for recognition of individual VPC and VCAL learning outcomes. This will assist VPC/VCAL students who have interruptions to their studies, including students who:
- experience a significant illness
- experience significant personal hardship
- are returning to the VPC/VCAL after changes to their career pathway (for example, a student has left the VPC/VCAL to take up employment but then lost their job)
- experience other interruptions to their study (for example, a student has become disengaged and left school)
- have taken a long time to achieve their VPC/VCAL.
Recognition of existing credit is not intended for students who have participated in activities of personal interest that led to their exit from the original educational program.
VET units
Satisfactory VET unit of competency result
Students will receive an S for a unit of competency (UoC) if they have been assessed as competent in the unit. The final assessment decision is made by their registered training organisation (RTO).
Satisfactory completion of VCE VET units is calculated automatically as students satisfactorily complete UoCs. Most VCE VET programs consist of four VCE VET units containing one Unit 3–4 sequence. The exceptions are some smaller Certificate II qualifications where the credit is only at Units 1 and 2 levels and some larger Certificate III qualifications that may provide two Unit 3–4 sequences.
Not yet competent VET result
Students will receive an N (not yet competent) result for a UoC if they have not yet demonstrated competence. This may be as a consequence of not completing the unit or not being able to demonstrate competence as required by the UoC. If a student has not met sufficient UoCs to the nominated hour value to be awarded satisfactory completion of a VCE VET unit, the result will be left blank.