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​VCAA Bulletin
No. 37 - April 2018
VCE Assessment

Victorian Certificate of Education – Assessment


Examination materials: New and revised studies

Sample materials for written examinations for the following new or revised VCE studies and VCE VET programs have been published on their respective examination pages on the VCAA website: Chinese Language, Culture and Society; Australian Politics; Global Politics; Health and Human Development; Legal Studies; Media; Outdoor and Environmental Studies; Physical Education; Sociology; Visual Communication Design; and VET Health. Please refer to Notice to Schools 20/2018.

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Amended examination materials for History: Revolutions

The History: Revolutions sample examination has been updated to modify the wording of all Section A, Question 1, part c questions and all Section B, Question 2, part c questions. The new wording instructs students to 'Use evidence to support your response'.

The modified wording of these questions aligns with the following key skills from the VCE History Study Design 2016–2020 (Units 3 and 4: Revolutions):

  • Units 3 and 4, Outcome 1 – construct arguments about the causes of revolution using primary sources and historical interpretations as evidence
  • Units 3 and 4, Outcome 2 – construct arguments about the consequences of revolution using primary sources and historical interpretations as evidence.

In responding to these questions, students should use appropriate and relevant primary sources and/or historical interpretations as evidence, including the sources provided where relevant, as applicable to the specific demands of the question.

Further information about using sources as evidence is provided in the 'Historical thinking' section of the VCE History: Revolutions – Advice for Teachers 2016–2020 on pages 1–6.

VCE History: Revolutions examination reports also provide feedback on student performance in past examinations, including the use of evidence.

The updated sample examination contains other modified wording to improve the clarity of questions.

Teachers should download the examination specifications and updated sample examination (Version 4, March 2018) from the History: Revolutions examination webpage. Please refer to Notice to Schools 20/2018.

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VCE performance examinations – audiovisual recording arrangements

Following the successful implementation of audiovisual recording of VCE Drama and VCE Theatre Studies performance examinations in 2017, the use of audiovisual recording will be expanded in 2018 to also include VCE Dance, VET Dance, VET Music, VCE Music Performance and VCE Music Investigation (group performance). Please refer to Notice to Schools 24/2018 for details.

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VCE Drama and Theatre Studies examinations

The prescribed structures and other information for the 2018 Drama solo performance examination and the monologues and other information for the 2018 Theatre Studies stagecraft examination are now available. Teachers and students should refer to the information provided on the Drama and Theatre Studies webpages of the VCAA website.

For curriculum enquiries and requests for a PDF of the Theatre Studies stagecraft monologues, email vcaa.vce.curriculum@edumail.vic.gov.au. For enquiries about examination matters such as venues, email Glenn Martin, Project Manager, VCE Assessment: martin.glenn.w1@edumail.vic.gov.au.

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VCE English as an Additional Language (EAL) Listening to texts examination task

Teachers of Units 3 and 4 English as an Additional Language (EAL) are advised that the Listening to texts section of the EAL examination will continue to be delivered with audio stimulus in 2019.

The VCAA is investigating the delivery of this section of the examination through an audiovisual stimulus for future implementation. Please refer to Notice to Schools 28/2018.

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2018 General Achievement Test and VCE written examination timetable

The General Achievement Test (GAT) will be held on Wednesday 13 June 2018 from 10.00am to 1.15pm.

A GAT information brochure will be sent to schools in May. Schools should ensure the brochure is distributed to all students sitting the GAT and that they are briefed about its contents prior to the date of the GAT.

As notified in the February 2018 VCAA Bulletin, the 2018 VCE written examination timetable will be published on the VCAA website in May and will also be included in the June edition of the VCAA Bulletin, and in the VCE Exams Navigator 2018, which will be sent to schools in July.

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2018 Assessor applications and training meetings

Applications to be an assessor for 2018 VCE external assessments are currently open on the Sessional Staff Management System (SSMS) website.

Suitably qualified people, including practising teachers, who would like to become VCE external assessors are strongly encouraged to consider the excellent professional development opportunities to be gained from assessing and are invited to apply online.

Closing dates for submitting applications are as follows:

  • Sunday 6 May – English, English as an Additional Language, Literature, English Language, Extended Investigation (Critical Thinking Test, Externally-assessed Task written report and oral presentation)
  • Sunday 27 May – VCE performance examinations
  • Sunday 10 June – VCE Languages oral and written examinations
  • Sunday 1 July all other VCE written examinations.

For more information, see Why become a VCE assessor on the SMSS website. For technical and access issues, contact the SSMS helpdesk on (03) 9225 2305 or assessment.administration.vcaa@edumail.vic.gov.au.

GAT

Appointed assessors are required to attend one of three training meetings for the GAT on the following dates:

  • Saturday 16 June, 10.00am – 2.00pm
  • Sunday 17 June, 10.00am – 2.00pm
  • Monday 18 June, 4.00–8.00pm.

New assessors and assessors nominated by the GAT Executive are required to attend a New Assessor Briefing. You will be appointed to attend a New Assessor Briefing immediately prior to your scheduled training meeting. Attendance is compulsory. These will be held on Saturday 16 June, 9.00–10.00am and Sunday 17 June, 9.00–10.00am.

All appointed assessors will receive detailed information about the briefing, training meeting, meeting venue and payment with their appointment advice. Training meeting dates are available on the VCE assessors - information and training webpage.

VCE Performance, Languages oral and Extended Investigation examinations

Assessors for 2018 VCE Performance examinations, Languages oral examinations and Extended Investigation examination are required to attend the relevant assessor training meeting. Assessors are reminded that attendance at the training meetings is a prerequisite for assessing. All appointed assessors will receive detailed information about the training meeting, meeting venue and payment with their appointment advice.

Training meeting dates for these studies are available on the VCE assessors - information and training webpage.

Information for principals

The VCAA provides principals with information about the appointment of staff from their schools, the dates of assessor training meetings, and the availability of casual relief teacher (CRT) payments to secure the release of staff.

In requesting the school to agree to a teacher's release, the principal can acknowledge the professional development benefits as well as the commitment required to do the work in very tight timelines. If an offer of appointment is made by the VCAA, school-based staff undertaking these VCAA activities in school hours are advised to ensure that their release has been approved and confirmed with their school. If release is required from school duties to attend assessor training meetings, a CRT payment is made available to the home school (as given by the assessor in their application) to gain the release of the teacher from their duties and to cover their absence. If release is not required from school duties, a payment for attendance at the training meeting is made available to the assessor.

Teachers should be aware that the VCAA may need to contact their school for administrative or audit purposes. For more information, contact Marlwood Ryder, Manager, Assessment Services, on (03) 9225 2302 or ryder.marlwood.f@edumail.vic.gov.au.

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